Shell to Sea has criticised a decision by Minister for Energy Pat Carey to sign consents for the last section of the Corrib gas pipeline on the day of the General Election. Permission has been granted for the construction of a gas pipeline from the Corrib gas field subsea facilities to the Corrib gas terminal at Bellanaboy and for an approval of an addendum to the Plan of Development for the Corrib gas field development.
“By signing off on these latest consents for Shell, Pat Carey has facilitated the €580 billion giveaway of Irish natural resources at a time of national impoverishment due to the actions and negligence of the outgoing Government,” said Shell to Sea spokesperson Maura Harrington.
But the Energy Minister defended his action, saying it was part of an eight-month process and taken after very comprehensive assessment and legal advice. He said the fact that it was not politically popular to make such a decision did not make it wrong. He added that there were very comprehensive conditions attached.
An Taisce has described as “very disappointing” the decision by the outgoing Minister to sign the consents.
