A representative of the local action group against the Shell pipeline development in Co Mayo has met five residents jailed as a result of the dispute.
Mark Garavan, a spokesman for the Shell to Sea campaign, visited the men at Cloverhill Prison.
He discussed with them the offer by the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources, Noel Dempsey, to appoint an intermediary to facilitate a fresh round of talks between them and Shell.
Last night, Shell announced that it has deferred all work on the laying of a 75km offshore pipeline to allow 'further discussion and dialogue' on the future of the €900 million Corrib Gas Field project in north Mayo.
Minister Dempsey welcomed Shell's decision and said he would facilitate any dialogue that might take place.
He said Shell's decision had created a 'breathing space' and he would appoint an intermediary to help get talks under way - if requested to do so by both sides.
The Fine Gael leader and Mayo TD, Enda Kenny, said the development should help ease tension and create a space for a rational debate.
He also urged the five Rossport residents, who have been jailed for contempt of court arising from their opposition to an onshore pipeline, to reconsider their stance.
He said they should 'reflect very seriously on this latest development and on whether they could most effectively contribute to the debate by returning to their community and families'.
Shell refinery plans
Meanwhile, speaking on RTÉ's Prime Time programme last night, Shell Ireland's Managing Director Andy Pyle again insisted that the company was determined to press ahead with an onshore refinery.
He said he believed Shell would abandon the entire project if it were forced to build an offshore terminal.
Shell will also have to decide next week on the future of the 200 workers who are still employed on its four sites in the county. 91 have already been laid off because of protests and blockades.
