The Green Party Leader has said the Marine and Natural Resources Minister must visit Co Mayo to see for himself the growing seriousness of the situation surrounding the development of the controversial Corrib Gas project.
Following a visit to the Corrib Gas terminal site this morning, Trevor Sargent also called on Shell to engage in what he called real dialogue with local people.
He called for Shell to withdraw compulsory purchase orders for the route of the onshore pipeline which it now says it will modify.
This morning, Mr Sargent met members of the Shell to Sea campaign group who want work on the €200m terminal stopped.
Mr Sargent told RTÉ News that the situation had become extremely serious.
About 100 members of the Shell to Sea campaign again took part in a silent protest march near the site of the Corrib gas terminal this morning.
They made no attempt to hinder the convoy of vehicles taking workers to the site as it passed by just before 8am.
There was no repetition of previous sit-down protests on the road.
A small force of gardaí accompanied the protest.
After meeting representatives of Shell Ireland in Castlebar last night, Mr Sargent called for fresh talks to try to resolve the ongoing controversy.
