An Bord Pleanála's two oral hearings into the Corrib gas field terminal project lasted a total of 22 days and represented the second-longest hearing in the board's history.
It also gave the developers three months to provide additional information to justify the Bellanaboy site.
The Corrib gas field saga dates back to 1996:
Oct 1996: Corrib field is discovered by Enterprise Oil 70 km off Mayo coast in over 349 metres of water, with the gas field a further 3,500 metres below sea level.
Oct 2000: Bord Gais outlines plans to construct pipeline from north Mayo to Craughwell, Co Galway, on behalf of the Corrib co-venturers.
Nov 2000: Enterprise Energy Ireland (EEI) applies for planning permission for an onshore terminal for Corrib at Bellanaboy, north Mayo.
Jan 2001: Mayo County Council seeks more information from EEI after local concerns raised.
April 2001: EEI submits a new planning application for the onshore terminal.
June 28th, 2001: Mayo County Council seeks further information on the second planning application for the onshore terminal.
July 13th, 2001: EEI submits this information.
July 25th, 2001: The Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources, Mr Frank Fahey, hosts public meeting on offshore licensing aspects of Corrib in Geesala, Co Mayo.
Aug 3rd, 2001: Mayo County Council grants planning permission for the onshore terminal, with conditions. This is appealed.
Aug 24th, 2001: Mr Fahey, during a debate on Corrib gas, tells Humbert Summer School in Ballina that objectors are holding up progress in the west.
Oct 15th, 2001: The Minister for the Marine denies claims made in the Dáil by Fine Gael TD for Mayo, Mr Michael Ring, that he has been interfering in the planning process in relation to the Corrib project.
Nov 16th, 2001: Mr Fahey issues petrol- eum lease for Corrib gas field - the first new production lease in the last 30 years.
Nov 21st, 2001: EEI submits new environmental impact statement to Department of Marine and Natural Resources in support of application to construct a natural gas pipeline from sub-sea facilities to the terminal at Bellanaboy bridge. It also applies for approval of its plan of development, a foreshore licence, and consent to construct the pipeline.
Feb 2002: An Bord Pleanála opens hearing on the appeal against planning permission for the onshore terminal
March 2002: SIPTU's offshore committee calls on the Government to refer changes in offshore exploration licensing terms made by former energy minister, Ray Burke, to the Flood tribunal, and for a freeze on all licences pending the outcome.
Apr 2002: Mr Fahey publishes Marine Licence Vetting Committee report which approved granting foreshore lease to Corrib project, with conditions.
May 2002: Foreshore licence granted by Minister for the Marine to EEI.
June 2002: An Bord Pleanála requests further information on the onshore terminal application from EEI, now owned by Shell, and raises concerns about health and safety.
Sept 2002: EEI submits further information to An Bord Pleanála and denies reports that it may "abandon" the Corrib field
Sept 2002: The Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources, Mr Dermot Ahern, opens up entire Porcupine Basin off west and south coasts for licensing in a bit to boost interest in offshore gas and oil exploration.
Nov/Dec 2002: An Bord Pleanála holds unprecedented second hearing into the EEI terminal application.