Dempsey says Shell breached his consent

by Ivan - Shell to Sea Sat Jul 23, 2005 14:32

RTE NEWS ONLINE:
Dempsey concerned over Shell pipeline
23 July 2005 13:23

The Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources, Noel Dempsey, has said he believes Shell may have breached the terms of the permissions given to it in relation to the development of the controversial pipeline in Co Mayo.

The Minister said Dept officials had carried out an inspection at the site earlier this week and subject to further legal advice, it was his view that a breach of the consents given to Shell in relation to the pipeline had occurred.

He said a letter had been written to the company asking them to respond to this and he was regarding the matter as 'very serious'.

RTÉ News understands that this relates to the welding on the Corrib Gas terminal site of large sections of the pipeline.

The Minister's statement comes as a major protest is planned in Dublin demanding the release of the five Mayo men who have been jailed for their opposition to the pipeline.
ENDS

by Jack Charlton Sat Jul 23, 2005 14:34

What? You mean the Rossport Five were right all along? And the establishment media hadn't even bothered to investigate? ;)

Put 'em under pressure.

by apathy works Sat Jul 23, 2005 14:43

'The Minister's statement comes as a major protest is planned in Dublin demanding the release of the five Mayo men who have been jailed for their opposition to the pipeline.'

not that protests all over the country for weeks and a major one about to happen in dublin in a few short minutes.... nope, he didn't submit to the pressure of the peasants at all!

its a good day.

by eeekkkk Sat Jul 23, 2005 14:54

as the trundle towards dubbalin for the match in their motor cars

or does that sound too paranoirish

by eeekkkkk Sat Jul 23, 2005 15:36

including Gerry Adams

by eeeekkk Sat Jul 23, 2005 15:37

news has reached texas
no mention of marathon strangely enuff as it's from texas as I seem to recall

by C Sat Jul 23, 2005 20:11

Nice try, Dempsey, but your comments in Donegal showed us what we need to know about your position.

by Claire Sat Jul 23, 2005 21:59

Shell responds to Minister's letter
23/07/2005 - 15:57:11

Shell E&P Ireland has responded to a letter from the Department of Communications, Marine and Natural Resources saying that they have been “meticulous in complying with all of the conditions” attached to the Corrib pipeline project to date.

In a statement issued this afternoon, Shell says that it acknowledges welding has taken place but only between the terminal and the upper river crossing through Coillte lands.

They say that “no such work has been undertaken anywhere else on the onshore pipeline route”.

Shell also acknowledged there may have been a "technical breach" of the consent and said it would work to ensure "no possible departures from the terms of the Minister's consent occur in the future".

by mick Sun Jul 24, 2005 14:47

I don't think it would make any difference to the "legality" of the jailings though - would it?

by Caroline Tue Jul 26, 2005 18:42

Is no-one pursuing this in the European Court? Am I missing something? It seems to me to be a flagrant abuse of human rights. It simply isn't legal to indefinitely keep someone in prison for contempt of court. Such a blantant disregard for the law would never be allowed in any other European country (I hope). Perhaps this is the best legal path to persue.

by Roger Eldrdige - National Mens Council of Ireland Tue Jul 26, 2005 19:02 eldridgeandco at eircom dot net Knockvicar, Boyle, Co.Roscommon 07196-67138

What is obvious from the situation in Rossport is that the state has sold the birthright of the Irish people from underneath them - literally.

Surely everyone understands that Shell, like multi-national corporations everywhere, have only one objective. That is to generate as much profit for their shareholders as possible.

They have no morality. They don't have any concerns for people, flora, fauna or the environment. They will get whatever they can at the cheapest price and sell it at the highest price. Their religion is materialism. Capitalism gone to extremes.

The problem in Rossport, and everywhere in modern Ireland and the world, is that this anti-human, immoral attitude and profit ethic is now shared by big-governments. The Irish government is no exception. They are collaborating with big-business to create super-consumerism.

Since the mid-seventies when VAT was introduced governments, including ours, have changed their primary revenue stream from being income-tax based to VAT based. Ie they now operate in the exactly the same way as the profit percentage method employed by big-business. The more they get people to consume goods, the more money they generate. The bigger their bureaucracy - the more power they have.

Instead of protecting its sovereign power, the citizens, from being exploited by unscrupulous big-business the government's own interest now lies in supporting and working hand in glove with big-business.

This is very bad news for ordinary people and especially for those of us who are living in areas where the government has already given away the exploration rights. Today it is Rossport, tomorrow it could well be your backyard. They are working in the Dowra/Blacklion area right now where the government have given away prospecting rights to companies drilling for gold, diamonds and more gas in the foothills there.

If you or I wanted to do a major project the first thing we would need to do is a "cost-benefit analysis" to properly calculate whether the advantages outweighed the disadvantages. Where is the one the government performed on the gas fields. Where have they published the projected benefits to the PEOPLE of Ireland?

It is obvious that the buck stops with the government. No matter how much they will undoubtedly huff and puff and bluff about Shell being in the wrong the truth is they have sold out the community of Rossport.

The strong rumour is that the gas will go directly to be sold to Russia via the UK pipeline network. How will this benefit Ireland and the decent people of Rossport?

The government has pointedly taken away the husbands of five families. Wives and other women were not arrested. The state wanted to leave families unprotected and vulnerable as an example that they can destroy families at will if they dare to stand up to the state.

The oldest right we have is to be able to raise our families on our own piece of land without state or business interference.

If the state can now cast this right away for their own empowerment, this is no longer a Republic as the people's sovereignty has been usurped.

We must not let that happen.

Roger Eldridge,
Chairman. National Men's Council of Ireland,