The Government has launched a new initiative to try to break the deadlock in the Corrib Gas pipeline dispute.
A community forum for development in the area is to be established and will be chaired by former secretary of the Department of Justice Joe Brosnan.
Mr Brosnan is a member of the Independent Monitoring Commission for Northern Ireland and vice chairman of the Institute for European Affairs in Dublin.
Launching the initiative this afternoon, Minister for Natural Resources Eamon Ryan said the Government had a duty to protect the rights of all its citizens, including the local community, and those of Shell.
His colleague, Minister for Community, Rural & Gaeltacht Affairs Éamon Ó Cuív, said the forum would seek to create common ground and to mediate differences constructively.
Work on laying the Corrib gas pipeline is currently suspended but is due to recommence next year.
Construction work on the multi-million euro gas refinery site at Bellanaboy in north Mayo is continuing.
Local communities in northwest Mayo have been protesting against the scheme since its inception in 2002.
They have been objecting to the site of the gas refinery and the route of the onshore pipeline.
Three years ago, veteran trade unionist Peter Cassells tried unsuccessfully to broker a deal between Shell Ireland and its opponents.
Now ministers Ryan and Ó Cuív are to invite all sides in the dispute to take part in new talks to try to break the deadlock.
It is understood they intend to take a more hands-on approach to trying to find an agreement which would see gas from the Corrib field being brought ashore.
It is now estimated that the field, 80km off the Mayo coast, has deposits worth over €9bn.
Shell says it is not prepared to move the €300m refinery which is being built at Bellanaboy.
Local residents say they still have serious health and safety concerns about it and the gas pipeline.
