CORRIB GAS DEVELOPMENT
ON-SHORE PIPELINE
PROJECT MONITORING COMMITTEE
Minutes of the On-Shore Pipeline Project Monitoring Committee Meeting held on 13th April 2016 in Áras an Chontae, Castlebar at 11.00am.
Present Mr. Peter Hynes, Mayo Chief Executive (Chairman)
Mr. Brendan Butler, SEPIL
Ms. Aoife Reynolds, SEPIL
Ms. Bridie Conway, SEPIL
Mr. Padraic Walsh, Mayo County Council
Mr. Martin Keating, Mayo County Council
Mr. Ciarán Ó hÓbáin, DCENR
Mr. Enda McDonagh, Bord na Móna
Dr. Catherine Farrell, Bord na Móna
Mr. Richard Cosgrove, Bord na Móna
Mr. Philip Irwin, Community Representative
Mr. Michéal O hÉalaithe, Community Representative
Mr. Kieran Moran, Community Representative
Mr. Tom Gilligan, Mayo County Council
Apologies: Mr. William Cormacan, NPWS
Mr. Bryan Kennedy, EPA
Mr. Alan Stephens, EPA
In Attendance: Ms. Muriel Finnerty, Mayo County Council
(01) Minutes
The minutes of the On-Shore Pipeline Project Monitoring Committee Meeting held on 2nd December 2015 were proposed by Mr. Cosgrove, seconded by Mr. Moran and adopted.
(02) Matters arising
The Corrib Onshore Pipeline Project Completion Report, which was presented at the last PMC Meeting, was unanimously agreed by the Committee.
(03) Progress Report – Developer
§ Construction Work
Ms. Reynolds outlined details of proposed planting and seeding at Aughoose.
§ Environmental Management
Ms. Reynolds outlined details of environmental monitoring undertaken in the January-April 2016 period as outlined in report circulated.
§ Permits/Compliance
There were no issues raised.
A copy of the SEPIL report is available on the Mayo County Council website -
http://www.mayococo.ie/en/News/CorribGasDevelopment/CorribGasOnshorePipeline/
The Chairman requested that the Developer would prepare a short presentation on the project for the next meeting of the PMC.
(04) Status Review – Mayo County Council
§ Roadworks
Mr. Walsh informed the meeting that there are no roadworks being undertaken at present in relation to the project. He indicated that the final post works haul road condition surveys have been completed and that work is underway on the preparation of a final haul road reinstatement programme which is expected to be completed by 1st June next.
§ Transportation
Mr. Walsh indicated that movement of plant, materials and equipment associated with the onshore pipeline phase of the project has now ceased.
§ Environmental Monitoring
Mr. Walsh informed the meeting that monitoring of surface water has now ceased as the project has been completed.
A copy of Mayo County Council’s report is available on –
http://www.mayococo.ie/en/News/CorribGasDevelopment/CorribGasOnshorePipeline/
(05) Bord na Móna
§ Site Activity
Mr. Cosgrove outlined details of site activity as set out in report circulated.
§ Environmental Monitoring
Mr. Cosgrove indicated that there were no non-compliances, complaints or incidents since the last meeting of the Committee and he outlined details of monitoring as set out in report circulated.
A copy of the Bord na Móna report is available on -
http://www.mayococo.ie/en/News/CorribGasDevelopment/CorribGasOnshorePipeline/
§ Presentation
The Chairman welcomed Dr. Farrell and Mr. McDonagh who gave a presentation on the Srahmore Peat Repository. They outlined progress over the fourteen year period from 2002 when the site selection process commenced up to and including bog and PDA rehabilitation and aftercare.
In response to query raised by Mr. Moran, Dr. Farrell confirmed that site visits can be facilitated by Bord na Móna, if required.
The Chairman, on behalf of the PMC, congratulated Bord na Móna on the success of the Repository project and thanked Dr. Farrell and Mr. McDonagh for the presentation. He requested that the feedback from the Committee would be conveyed to all involved in the project.
A copy of the Bord na Móna presentation is available on the Mayo County Council website – http://www.mayococo.ie/en/News/CorribGasDevelopment/CorribGasOnshorePipeline/
(06) Community Concerns
§ Community Programme
Mr. Irwin thanked SEPIL for the Community Gain Investment Fund. Mr. Irwin and Mr. Moran both paid tribute to Mr. Martin Keating for his involvement with the Fund Programme. The Chairman undertook to have an up to date report on the Programme available for the next meeting of the PMC.
§ Complaints
Mr. Irwin raised the issue of local concerns regarding the smell of gas in the area. Ms. Conway clarified the position indicating that this had resulted from necessary activity, including release of odoriser, by Gas Networks Ireland.
The Chairman requested that future planned events in relation to flaring/safety issues be communicated locally and this was noted by the SEPIL representatives.
(07) Other Business
As Ms. Reynolds and Mr. Butler were attending their last meeting of the Committee, the Chairman thanked them for their contribution to the project and wished them both well in the future.
(08) Future Meetings
It was agreed that the next meeting of the PMC will take place in October 2016 on a date to be finalised.
This concluded the business of the meeting, the time being 11.45am.
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