THERE HAS BEEN WIDESPREAD CRITICISM OF A DECISION BY MINISTER FOR ENERGY PAT CAREY TO SIGN KEY CONSENTS FOR THE LAST SECTION OF THE CORRIB GAS PIPELINE ON THE DAY OF THE GENERAL ELECTION.

THE DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY HAS SAID THE CONSENT TO CONSTRUCT THE PIPELINE AND APPROVAL OF THE PROJECT’S AMENDED PLAN OF DEVELOPMENT WAS ISSUED AS A MATTER OF COURSE AFTER AN BORD PLEANÁLA APPROVED THE NEW PIPELINE ROUTE IN JANUARY.

AN TAISCE SAYS IT IS SEEKING A JUDICIAL REVIEW OF THE BORD PLEANÁLA DECISION, AS IT BELIEVES IT’S IN BREACH OF SEVERAL EU DIRECTIVES.

A FORESHORE LICENCE NEEDED TO COMPLETE THE REGULATORY PROCESS AND ALLOW WORK TO BEGIN IS STILL NEEDED FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF THE ENVIRONMENT. IT ‘S UNLIKELY TO BE GRANTED BEFORE THE NEXT GOVERNMENT TAKES OFFICE ON MARCH 9.