The ESB subsidiary, Hibernian Wind Power Ltd, has been urged to seriously study the recommendations of reports commissioned by Galway County Council to analyse the probable causes of the landslide at Derrybrien last year.
The council-commissioned reports recommend that a comprehensive monitoring and supervisory regime be put in place to ensure that future construction works did not constitute a risk to the stability of the site.
The main conclusion of the reports - based on investigative works carried out at Derrybrien between October 2003 and January 2004 by BMA Geoservices and NUI Galway - are broadly in agreement with those of AGEC, the consultants employed by Hibernian Wind Power Ltd.
In presenting the consultants' conclusions to the Loughrea Electoral Committee of Galway County Council yesterday, county manager Mr Donal O'Donoghue urged Hibernian Wind Power Ltd to study them seriously as they prepared their future action plan in relation to Derrybrien.
Mr O'Donoghue said: "The stability of access roads needs to be addressed, particularly in relation to the loads which will have to be carried when craneage for the erection of turbines comes on site."
The consultants recommend that excavated material should be removed to a safe and stable location and should not be stored beside the turbine bases and drainage works should be carried out to minimise the risk of water affecting the stability of the ground.
An accompanying assessment of environmental impact carried out by a senior engineer at Galway County Council recommends that any further works to contain the remaining unstable peat should take into account the potential pollution load caused by further wash-out of material.
It is advised that any proposal to recommence the construction works should set out arrangements to ensure that no untoward load is put on the natural drainage system; that excess peat matter is not transferred in an uncontrolled manner to other drainage systems and above all, that the construction takes place only in stable ground conditions.
"Finally, a rehabilitation plan is required for the Owendalulleegh river. Monitoring of the water quality in both the river and Lough Cutra would be required to ensure no adverse effect on the source of the Gort regional water supply scheme," Mr O'Donoghue explained.
Hibernian Wind Power has said it will closely examine the recommendations in the reports.
Last week, Hibernian Wind Power signalled their intentions to follow up on the recommendations of the Applied Ground Engineering Consultants (AGEC) report, which would allow the construction of the wind farm to be completed safely.