Shell E & P Ireland has welcomed an offer from the five Mayo men who have been jailed for their opposition to the Corrib gas pipeline to begin talks with the company if they are released from jail.
The company said it was a very significant step towards dialogue but again repeated that it would not be moving to lift the injunction it took against the five men.
Shell said their continued imprisonment was a matter between them and the High Court and it could not interfere with that process.
The offer came in an open letter issued by the five men from jail, where they have been for seven weeks.
In the letter, the men call on Shell and the Government to lift the injunction which led to their imprisonment.
They say they are willing to accept Shell's offer of immediate talks to resolve the current impasse and want the company and the Government partners to stand down their injunction at this time so that they can leave prison to attend these talks.
The five men oppose the pipeline, which will run through their land, because they claim it will be a health and safety hazard.
Shell says it wants to build the pipeline to the highest international standards.
It has now suspended work on the project to allow for a full public debate on the issues.
