An Bord Pleanala has refused permission for the construction of a controversial natural gas treatment terminal in North Mayo.
The decision is likely to cause a major delay in plans to bring ashore gas from the newly discovered Corrib Field 70km off the Mayo coast. Enterprise Energy Ireland wants to build the terminal at Bellanaboy near Belmullet.
The €200m terminal had been strongly opposed by local residents, farmers and fishermen, and by environmental groups.
Announcing its decision, An Bord Pleanala said permission was being refused because of concern over the peat subsoil on the intended site for the terminal.
It believed the development could constitute 'an unacceptable risk' to the health and safety of the local community and to those using the road near the site. The body also said the terminal would bring an unacceptable risk of pollution to rivers and lakes and the seashore.
A spokesman for Enterprise Energy said it would be reviewing the situation. The decision has however been welcomed by those who had opposed the terminal plan including the Friends of the Irish Environment.
The Minister for Communications, Marine & Natural Resources, Dermot Ahern, said that while he fully respects the Bord Pleanala decision, he hopes the ruling would not end efforts to bring the gas ashore.
He said the Government discussed the implications of the decision today and expressed regret that the coming on stream of gas from the Corrib Field will be further delayed. The Minister said it had significant strategic potential for this country and especially for the West.
Enterprise Energy discovered the Corrib Field in 1996. It was planning to spend €800m in piping gas from the field into the national grid at Craughwell in Co Galway.
The chairman of the Irish Offshore Operators' Association has described today's decision as a serious blow to the development of Ireland's energy resources and infrastructure.
He said he was concerned that many exploration companies might now reconsider their involvement here.
