The Chairman of Shell Ireland, Andy Pyle, has said it is difficult to see how the dispute over the laying of a gas pipeline in Co Mayo can be resolved.
Mr Pyle said the company would be responding this week to allegations that it had breached the consents it had been granted in relation to the development of the controversial pipeline.
On Saturday the Minister for Natural Resources, Noel Dempsey, said he believed that the company has breached the permissions it was granted and had asked the company for an immediate response.
Speaking on RTÉ's Morning Ireland programme, Mr Pyle also said he did not believe the company could take any further initiative to try to bring about the release of five local residents who were jailed over three weeks ago for breaching a court order.
The five are refusing to purge their contempt and apologise to the High Court.
