A decision on the contentious Corrib gas pipeline is to be made within weeks - with the possibility of a huge fillip for the building trade if approved.

The Minister for Energy Eamon Ryan is expected to issue a decision shortly on Shell E&P Ireland's application to construct the last section of the Corrib gas pipeline.

Mr Ryan’s decision will follow An Bord Pleanála's landmark ruling yesterday that approved the developer's revised plans for the onshore link.

Minister for the Environment John Gormley is also still considering a foreshore licence for the third pipeline route, which will run under Sruwaddacon estuary to the gas terminal at Ballinaboy.

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If the company secures these approvals, it is expected to take between 18 and 24 months to build.

This will be a huge construction project promising thousands of jobs in the beleaguered sector.

A separate licence review of emissions from the Ballinaboy gas terminal is still with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

An overall project monitoring committee is also to be established by Mayo County Council, comprising two representatives for the developer, two for the local authority and four representatives from the Kilcommon parish.

Inland Fisheries Ireland, the National Parks and Wildlife Service, the Department of Energy, the EPA and Bord na Móna will also be invited to provide one representative each.

Mayo County Council will monitor the conditions set by An Bord Pleanála, and the developer must maintain a complaints register at its Belmullet office.

Traffic management conditions for the construction phase include engagement of a traffic warden at the developer's expense to ensure the safety of schoolchildren.

(BMcC/GK)