Role of the Technical Adivsory Group

The Technical Advisory Group (TAG) was established by the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources, Noel Dempsey T.D. in August 2005 to handle certain elements of the Corrib Gas project.

These were;

• To manage the Independent Safety Review of the onshore, upstream section of the pipeline between landfall and the terminal site at Bellanaboy
• To manage the inspection and monitoring regime for the Development.

The TAG is comprised of the following members:

Mr Bob Hanna, Chief Technical Advisor & Energy Installations Inspector, Department of Communications, Marine and Natural Resources.

Mr Koen Verbruggen, Principal Geologist, Geological Survey of Ireland.

Mr Richard McKeever, Assistant Chief Engineer, Engineering Division, Department of Communications, Marine and Natural Resources.

In addition the TAG has legal advice available to it, along with dedicated administrative resources and access to general or specialist technical advice to support its activities whenever necessary.

TAG subsequently selected Advantica Ltd as the consultants for the Independent Safety Review. Advantica began work on the 1st September 2005, and visited the site of the pipeline on 22nd September 2005.

The Terms of Reference for the Safety Review can be found here.

The TAG will also oversee a programme of inspection, with both regular and ‘on the spot’ checks by Authorised Officers and verify compliance with both the Plan of Development and the various Ministerial consents under which permission to carry out work are given.