...the Corrib field timeline
1996 Corrib field discovered by Enterprise Energy Ireland (EEI) 70 km off Mayo coast in over 394 metres of water
Nov 2000 EEI applies, with shareholders Statoil and Marathon, for planning permission to construct an onshore terminal to refine the gas at Bellanaboy, Co Mayo
Apr 2001 Revised planning application submitted after Mayo County Council seeks more information
Jul 2001 Public meeting on the project in Geesala, Co Mayo, with the then marine minister Frank Fahey
Aug 2001 Mayo County Council approves the terminal project
Nov 2001 Fahey issues petroleum lease for the project - the first new production lease in 30 years.EEI applies to Department of Marine to construct onshore gas pipeline from subsea facility at Corrib to terminal at Bellanaboy
Feb 2002 Bord Pleanála hearing on appeal against planning permission for terminal
May 2002 Fahey approves foreshore licence for pipeline landfall, and signs consents for compulsory acquisition of lands for pipeline route
Nov/Dec 2002 Bord Pleanála hears unprecedented second hearing into terminal application, after requesting more information from EEI
Apr 2003 Bord Pleanála turns down terminal application due to high risk factors associated with bog transfer, but rejects two of its inspectors' rulings relating to visual impact and breach of Seveso II directive on health and safety
Sept 2003 Royal Dutch Shell, which has taken over EEI, submits new planning application for terminal
Apr 2004 New application approved by Mayo County Council
Oct 2004 An Bord Pleanála approves terminal project
Dec 2004 applications made for judicial reviews of the project. First application withdrawn but second application heard and judgment pending
Apr 2005 Shell seeks injunction against landowners opposed to pipeline route
May 2005 Minister for Marine Noel Dempsey confirms that consultants appointed to review pipeline safety are owned by Shell and commissions new review
June 28th, 2005 Four landowners and one resident jailed for contempt of court order in relation to work on pipeline route