Minister for the Environment Phil Hogan has approved the granting of a foreshore licence to Shell E&P Ireland for developments relating to the construction of the Corrib Gas Pipeline, subject to conditions.
The licence application was originally made in June of last year, and was subject to a public consultation process.
In a statement, the Minister said he made his decision having regard to the submissions received during the public consultation and from prescribed bodies, and to the conclusions and recommendations of the Marine Licence Vetting Committee, and the advice of his Department.
Shell said in a statement it welcomed the decision.
It said it has developed five wells at the field, built the offshore pipeline and was close to completing the onshore terminal.
'We'll continue to do everything we can to stop the project going ahead,' said Terence Conway, a spokesman for a campaign against the project.
'This is the last consent from the Government, but there is still the legal challenge,' he added.
