Opposition parties have called on the Government to review the future of the €900 million Corrib gas pipeline.
Earlier, Shell said it was studying a letter from the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources ordering the company to dismantle three kilometres of gas pipeline that it has assembled in north Mayo.
The order was issued after it emerged that the section of piping had been welded together without ministerial approval.
Speaking on Morning Ireland, Noel Dempsey said Shell will be under closer inspection by a technical group appointed by him to deal with the issue.
Last week, Shell acknowledged that a technical breach may have occurred on the controversial Corrib pipeline.
He said the company will now be under closer inspection by authorised officers appointed by him to go on site unannounced to monitor and supervise the works.
Mr Dempsey said Shell has been granted overall approval for the project but individual consents are granted on a phased basis.
Work on the pipeline has been suspended since a safety review was commissioned by the minister, who said the review is expected to be completed within four to six weeks.
Shell has announced the laying off of some staff arising from protests by residents.
Five landowners remain in jail for refusing to purge their contempt of a High Court order in connection with their protest against the pipeline construction.
