An Bord Pleanala has deferred its decision on a planning application for a controversial new offshore gas treatment terminal in North Mayo.
The Board had been expected to give its decision this Friday but it now appears that it will not be in a position to make a formal announcement until June.
Enterprise Energy, which discovered the Corrib Gas Field 70km off the Mayo coast in 1996, wants to build the huge new treatment plant at Ballinaboy near Belmullet. But it is being strongly opposed by local residents, farmers and environmental groups including An Taisce .
At a week long Bord Pleanala hearing, they objected to the €150 million terminal on health and safety grounds.
Today An Bord Pleanala said it was not in position to give its decision this Friday and was now setting June 28 as the new date for the announcement - although it added that it may be in a position to give it somewhat earlier.
Earlier this week, Marine Minister Frank Fahey approved the development of the Corrib Gas Field and the laying of an undersea pipeline to the bring the gas ashore.
But the overall project still needs an Environmental Protection Agency licence, approval for the terminal from the Health and Safety Authority and planning permission from An Bord Pleanala.
