Irish Times: Protesters Seek Enquiry Into State Deals With Shell Oil And Statoil

mayo | rights, freedoms and repression | other press Wednesday July 20, 2005 17:19 by eeekkkkk

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Protesters seek inquiry into State deals with Shell
By John Collins

Campaigners against the proposed Shell pipeline in Co Mayo have called for an investigation of the Government's dealing with Shell and other petroleum companies dating back to Mr Ray Burke's term as Minister for Finance in 1987.

Speaking at a press conference to announce details of a protest in Dublin this Saturday, independent TD Dr Jerry Cowley said that changes to the Finance Act in 1987 and 1992, when Taoiseach Bertie Ahern was Minister for Finance, had "removed the natural resources and benefits attached to them from the citizens of this country."
The only way the pipeline will come into our village is if the gas is clean
Ms Mary Corduff, wife of jailed protester Mr Willie Corduff

The protesters, who include relatives of the five men jailed for contempt of a court order banning them from blocking Shell access to their land, also want the dealings of the Petroleum Affairs Division (PAD) of the Department of Communications, Marine and Natural Resources to be investigated.

They claim the PAD has "too cosy a relationship" with the petroleum companies.

"They are not caring for the State's citizens," said Maura Harrington from the Shell to Sea group. "They are either mislead, stupid or for some other reason are closer to the corporate sector than they are to the citizens."

The residents are also seeking a total freeze on the issuing of petroleum licences until such as investigation is concluded.

Ms Mary Corduff, wife of one of the five jailed men, Mr Willie Corduff, said they wanted Saturday's protest to send a simple message to Shell and the Government. "The only way the pipeline will come into our village is if the gas is clean," she said. "It has to be refined at sea for the interests of all Irish people."

The residents say they are not against the pipeline per se and would be happy if the gas was refined at sea - either on an offshore platform or on one of the many off-shore islands.

Following the quashing of a motion at Mayo County Council calling for offshore processing by the cathaoirleach of the authority, Fine Gael's Henry Kenny, Dr Crowley has called on Fine Gael leader Mr Enda Kenny to make the party's position clear. Mr Henry Kenny is brother of the Fine Gael leader.

Dr Cowley said "vested interests who are on the side of Shell" ensured the motion was quashed despite being passed unanimously by councillors.

Labour leader Mr Pat Rabbitte had also been criticised for not supporting his fellow Mayo man. He has subsequently clarified his support for off-shore refinement and is to visit the jailed men in Clover Hill Prison this afternoon.

The residents are calling for all Irish people to support Saturday's march which will protest against what they see as the exploitation of Irish natural resources by multinationals.

Marchers will assemble at Dublin's Garden of Rememberance at 2pm next Saturday before marching through the city and finishing up at the GPO on O'Connell Street.