Corporatism: Corrib; Wildlife; Environment....v. Greed

by MacG Thu Oct 05, 2006 00:30

Protect and Serve

Cops at the Shell terminal site in Mayo, Ireland

by Mags Thu Oct 05, 2006 10:14

Where are we all going to? What is wrong in the world?
Just say that the plant is built and up and running and then BOOOM! the thing explodes because of landslides you cannot build something that size in a BOG! If the worst scenario does come along ( which I hope it doesnt) Who is going to tell the children what went wrong. Who is going to pay for the impact on the flora and fauna of the region? Who is going to pay for the structural damage done by the explosion? Who is going to tell the children that their parents died because of profit and greed? The Insurance companies are already rubbing their hand!

THank God i'm out of the country

by cool j Thu Oct 05, 2006 12:26

I share your disgust Mags. At this point I'm seriously considering putting the house on the market next year and getting out of Erris alltogether. Alot of people I have spoken too in the area are of the same mind given the seriously negitive impact this terminal will have on property and land values for miles around when its up and running. Many people have moved to Erris recently precisly because of the relativly pristine environment and unspoit landscape - who in their right mind would want to buy a house anywhere near Shell's montrosity!!!!!!!!!!!!

PS - Great stuff there Kevin - Highlighting the uncomfortable questions that of course won't be allowed in the dail!!

by Jack Russell - Social Justice and Ethics Thu Oct 05, 2006 22:25

Well done Kevin regarding your article last night.

I read numerous articles regarding Shell Corrib written by you over the last number of years. I find them deeply detailed with a good dosage of common sense but Kevin the people of Mayo are up against a stacked deck.

The stacked deck is corporate greed and Mafiosa Government sanctioned by McDowell. Tonight as I am writing this article I believe the Special Branch are turning the City inside out looking for McDowell. They are assisted by every poodle in Ranelagh. Where is the Mad Mullah? Is he in a huff with Mary who ran out just in time before the Bertie juggernaut of lies and deception came running down the road. McDowell was hoodwinked. The biggest mouth oi Huff Huff Huff is finally silenced.

In the meantime Bertie is getter closer to an Oscar in relation to his programme in Dail Eireann - This is my Life - every day. I ask when is this circus of shame and deceit going to end.

I enjoyed Michelle Clarke's article this evening, it is on the main website but her words 'Dawn Raid' by Michael O'Leaary are now a reality and her quotation 'Opportunity comes to pass not to pause' is very appropriate tonight.

Why can Shell Oil destroy the lives of the people of Mayo? A former Minister for Justice, Ray Burke, who waqs imprisoned for tax evasion met Shell oil representatives many years ago and did a deal that sold our assets away, for a fraction of their worth. Our Taoiseach, Bertie Ahern was aware for two years or more of the proposal of the Shell Oil pipeline and winked before it was sanctioned. That's a fact.

Bertie may sit in his 1.5 million mansion tonight; man of Hill 16 and the people but he knows O'Learly has the last laugh on him. Make no mistake about it, the Corrib is a much bigger picture.

I read tongiht that the Minister for Chaos and monkey tea parties, Martin Cullen is alleged to have taken a back hander from oil tycoon Max Morris, who was ordered to pay over 1 million euros in back tax last week.

Tonight I believe the Dutch govt. may be seeking the extradiction of the Amadan over mto face the e-Voting fiasco that is going to scourge Europe for the next 5 years. This Minister cost the taxpayer 300,000 euros in paying Monica Bleach to organise three Fianna Fail tea parties in Bertie's tent at the Galway Races. This fool cost the taxpayer 52 million euros - e-Voting fiasco. Add to this 300,000 euros for bleach and now this, the latest scandal of the euros 2,000 in cash.

O'Leary must be having a laugh knowing the Cullen is in charge of Transport and Aer Lingus, of course.

Would Irish people wake up and regain our sense of outrage? Before I go - McDowell, wherever you are tonight - Please phone home. Remember ET phoned home. Lassie came home and your Jack Russell is missing you but Bertie is hoping you stay well away and having a long holiday. I recommend Mount Mellary.....exploration of conscience and ethics.

Jack Russell

Quotation - a wise man
'Loss of freedom seldom happens overnight. Oppression doesn;t stand on the doorstep with toothbrush, moustache and swastika armband - it creeps up insidiously - step by step, and all of a sudden the unfortunate citizen realises that it is gone'

by Michelle Clarke - Social Inclusion Justice and Ethics Fri Nov 10, 2006 18:27

This goes for local history and recent. It is too easy to box information and take no responsibility.......This is the problem for people in Ireland. We each need to take responsibility for what happens in the Environment, in the Health system (which is an utter disgrace), to ensure social housing for those in need and in the Community (100% for the tenacity of those fighting for their rights against corportism in the Corrib).

The Corrib; Corporatism; Shell and the purchase of the Irish Crown Jewels in the form of natural resources at a price that is questionable!!! Also, a purchase contract that did not necessarily provide for the safety of local residents in terms of landslides..........particularly given that nearly three decades have elapsed since Shell first purchased the Corrib.

As a young secretary, I recall because I just can never forget, the anger and frustrations of residents who had bought expensive houses on a site in south Dublin. Day in and Day out while the case was scheduled for the law courts, two of us listened to people shouting and screaming about their homes. One person went out to inspect - the man. I listened as the MD's secretary. These expensive houses were built on 'what they referred to' as made up ground. What I heard about was radiators coming off the walls and falling towards a sinking floor.

These were builders established in the 1960s, exptise from the UK, and political links in Ireland. I do not know the outcome but the plight of the people was real with calls coming all day, day after day for a period.

Somebody might clarify if the landslides predicted in the Corrib operate from the same principle? Civil Engineering field if I recall. I know Kevin included his letter to the Taoiseach (see above).

News at 1 p.m. I am almost ashamed to be Irish and part of the Republic our forefathers fought so hard for.

My expectations of the Gardai rest far higher than a Police Force compromised by Corporatism. This reminds me of my time in Zimbabwe where I lived for four years in the early 1990's..........I would have hoped our Gardai were better placed to engage in a form of corruption by working directly albeit for Justice Equality and Law Reform but realistically working for Shell. The foregoing graphics of the Gardai with a Shell Logo sums it up. This is a beginning to an end if it goes the route of Zimbabwe.

Do people realise what it is like to live in a country where people can just disappear (Power......look to websites on Shell in Africa, South America, Statoil in Norway versus say Enron in the US at Corporate Level). Don't be afraid because Freedom of the Press is essential and we must now be cautious of the powers that be who might be tempted to close or influence certain media sources.

I understand that Independent Newspapers - Sir Tony O'Reilly captivate 80% of our readers......Warning signs for people here. Does anyone remember the 1980's and Atlantic Oil shares........Block 49.... of Waterford I think.!!!........People moved from cash rich to cash poor to a company called Providence and worth nothing.

Providence still remain's with O'Reilly and according to recent reports, works are ongoing and projected to be doing well......!!!! I think my value of Providence shares ended up at something like 36 pence.....

I have just heard that Taoiseach Mr. Ahern state the negotiations with Shell are over, and that the Rule of Law must be implemented.

Well - what about Moyross? Two children nearly burnt alive, shootings, a five year old shot in the leg, houses borded up, virtually without sale value. The spate of kidnapping supposedly related to illegal drugs which must not be tolerated. I heard recently that Ireland has the 2nd highest number of people using illegal drugs in Europe!!!! How and Why?

How many Gardai are assigned to enforce the Rule of Law at the Corrib and how many to Moyross? What proportions apply to people of the Island of Ireland versus Corporatism and people who have a voice about their fears to landslides and a gas line?

The Rule of Law must be upheld but surely people are what our nationalistic fight over 700 years has been about?

I would ask someone to enlighten me about the proportions used and the instructions given to Gardai to ensure this Rule of Law.

Too see Ms. Harrington being confronted by Gardai (Irish Gardai not police say drafted from the North of Ireland.......or private security men as found at shops like Tesco). The Garda 'force as in personal strength at the passenger door is unacceptable. Then two Gardai had a person at a road barrier and it appeared from the tv news that they both let go their hands and let him drop.......I hope the fall did not result in a head injury.

Michelle Clarke

by Kevin T. Walsh - Social Justice and Ethics Fri Nov 10, 2006 22:24

I enjoyed Michelle Clarke's article on what happened in the Corrib this morning.......Shame to all who bore the batons!!!

Michelle covered a multitude on all departments who seem to be immune to accountability e.g. Mary Harney and the HSE.

Something quite strange dawned on me this evening. I went back on my old files on Indymedia some three years ago and this lady Michelle Clarke has written intensively on the conditions of our psychiatric health services, etc. for a number of years on Indymedia. I think tonight Professor O'Neill's indictment and the damning report of Leas Cross - I apologise Michelle I failed to read your articles on health with the necessary focus.

I was not aware you had a horsefall that resulted in Acquired Brain Injury until recently; I wasn't aware you are bipolar and I sadly wasn't aware you have been in several of our hospitals and have had ECT. I certainly wasn't aware that you are the Granddaughter of Judge Michael Comyn who inter alia gained reprieve for 42 Irish prisoners - a case that went to the House of Lords at the time of signing of the Treaty. In the last two weeks through a barrister friend of mine, J. Murray, I applaud you for stopping the eviction of a vulnerable woman who has lived in her bedsit for 27 years in the affluent Dublin 4. I believe Ruari Quinn has also written to you with advice re. the situation of this lady.. There is a reprieve for this woman and her dog Danny Boy, until middle January.

This country has changed - Believe me, Michelle. The greatest evil in the world today is Cororatism which results in 200 Gardai being deployed at Ballinaboy this morning. The Gardai baton charged these Irish citizens and beat them on the legs. I ask the Ghost of Ray Burke to resurrect himself now and tell the people of Ireland about the Sell Out. Bertie - the Taoiseach with the piggy bank who cashed his cheques, as Minister Finance, in Fagan's pub on a Friday evening - says the deal is done it is over but of course he would because he sat with Burke doing the deal. Burke by the way ended up walking the grounds of Arbour Hill Prison with murderers and rapists. Burke is still facing charges - I have a feeling he may start to talk shortly and he may say I am not the only one who got the house as a present.

Read the Constitution on our resources and assets 'even the air is part of Irish soil'. Would Dustin the Turkey f..........take a case to the Irish Courts on behalf of the Irish sheep who fail to speak up. They are all 'coked' up on the illusion of the Celtic Tiger.

Ray Burke knows the TRUTH. He could bring this Government down. We may slag and criticise America but their Ethics would have half our Dail doing 20 years in Federal prisons.

The late Charlie Haughey, alias Napoleon, was also part of the Shell deal. Haughey was an ego power maniac who dismissed the banks when they looked for payback. Go away little boys - don't annoy me, you know I am Napoleon.

McDowell's background is dodgy. You are correct Michelle. O'Reilly has 80% of our media market - again corporatism. Have the Irish people lost their sense of outrage. Bertie may have got away with Manchester, Celia may have sold up in Drumcondra and gone to Killaloe in Co. Clare, for the quiet life - But the Winds are Blowing and the TRUTH will come out.

Please would the people of Ireland join with their own people in the Corrib against the evil of Corporatism.

Before I go Michelle - you wrote an article recently to Brian Cowen on Housing. I apologise for the behavious of Aidan O'Brien ex Indymedia. I believe he called you Stupid; brainless; moron. Aidan needs a course on Anger Management Michelle. Hopefully his new spaniel puppies will give him the feel of nature and you never know he could buy Ms. Cotton a cappucino in Baggot Street........conversation life and times of Daniel O'Donnell. He also called me an idiot - he does not know me. He is way out of his league.

I close by saying why have Shell so much power over this Government.

Ray, you have the answers. You are ex Minister for Justice, Communications and Foreign Affairs.......You have done Porridge.......try watching some tapes on Ronnie Barker.

Then be the Whistle Blower...........

Kevin T. Walsh
Quotation
Flying High
''A forest Bird never wants a cage'
Henrik Ibsen 1828-1906 Norwegian Playwright'

Coincidence Norwegian deal and provision in the late 1960's......we sure didn;t negotiate as beneficial and equitable a deal.

Let us please think of our wildlife. Did anyone see the BBC programme and the destruction of oil fields on the Niger Delta!!!

by Michelle Clarke - Social Inclusion and Justice Thu Mar 29, 2007 21:27

Today I noticed a little snipped in one of the newspapers.

It concerns Providence Oil Company (at one time Atlantic Oil in the 1980's). Apparently, Sir Anthony O'Reilly's son is to take over the Chief Executive role.....this is about the Celtic Basin and other fields.

This might throw a new light on Shell and the Corrib deal negotiated by then ministers of the State and the paltry return to the Irish nation due to what one could now consider to be corrupt practices back in the 1970's and 1980's.......

Any ideas !!!!!

Michelle Clarke (the foregoing articles make extremely interesting reading) I think anway.

by Michelle Clarke - Social Justice and Ethics Tue Sep 30, 2008 18:06

Initially, this article was written in 2004. It was the second copy written via Indymedia to then Taoiseach Mr. Bertie Ahern, cc to his Secretary, concerning Shell Corporate and its plans to 'squander our Irish Crown Jewels, our natural assets' with the aiding and abetting of our ill briefed Government in the 1980's.

The Rule of Law stands breached as we recklessly observe an abundance of Irish Garda Siochana take up position on the Shell site, at payment to our Irish State. Meantime, Irish people protest (in a similar way in which the protect about the Skryne Tara Valley).

Now, we face a financial crisis. What implications will this have to Corporate companies like Shell and their undertakings in the West Coast of Ireland. What if Government were to say No to providing the Gardai as security? Surely, this would be a correct approach by Government after the major disgrace regarding our 5 main leading Irish Banks. When do we stop public services money being abused because of pure laziness and ignorance.

Well, we in Ireland have saved the banks - one fell swoop. Yet the 700 billion due to save the US markets failed at the last hurdle, the House of Representatives. Where is the briliant acumen now? Who knows? Are the financiers wasted from their allegiances with a FF (developer led) government, who soaked up image to the degree that personal make up charges became an acceptable norm to conceal those faces of Greed personified. Is it correct to say that they are no longer talking about allegiances because, our banks are now nationalised (bye to capitalism). Will this take us back to nepotism and n on competitiveness in global markets.

Revenue have consistently targetted those who failed to pay the correct amount in Irish tax for nearly a decade now. It started with Ansbacher, and now the amounts tend to relate to those further down the social scale i.e. those with second homes in Turkey or wherever. I ask where are the Big Boys. If the market has been so volatile and demanded such a massive reaction a.m., where are those with the shrewd brains and the means and power to make things happen. They say Switzerland and places like Lichtenstein have become m ore malleable to talking with Governments in France and Germany about the hidden accounts? Will this change now?

Let us take stock now of the major assets of this Island of Ireland. The time has come to look to the prospecting deals of the 1970's and 1980's and assess whether fair, just and equitable compensation has been made by the Corporates and companies involved.

As we talk about our Carbon Footprint. Let us get real, let us identify with the Print......Yes, go to Change.ie and get frugal but also lets ensure our environment is held sacrosanct. Let's treat the water, let's penalise the companies and people who morally and for financial gain foul our water supplies. Let us call in the Environment experts to assess the impact of the Shell Terminal in the Corrib - let us recall industry like Asahi in Killala in Co. Mayo and the damage done for decades going forward and for what. It produced synthetic fibre, chemicals enormously dangerous - it destroyed trees for a 3 mile radius and experts still don't know the emissions into Killala Bay. It destroyed wildlife. What a price we paid for a factory that was refused entry, in one of the darkest spots of Scotland, of high unemployment at the time - early 70's. What has changed? Do not forget the history of Killala, the year of the French, General Humbert 1798 (statue now stands in Ballina Town

What has happened to the Chromium off Cork. Investigations and promises abouded and then just when dead. Has anyone examined the horrors involved for people and the environment if this matter is not resolved. The financial costs for this oversight will be considerable. They are at least quantifiable and ought to be prioritised accordingly.

i must ask about the Code of Honour. What happened to people and their code of Behaviour, their values, their spirituality? Maybe these values go hand in hand with the Victorian era but now more than ever is a time, when we need to introduce such a code and even go so far as to re-introduce common manners. Manners and etiquette provide subtle cues that enable social relations to run smoothly.

in this regard, the first professions I look to is the Legal Profession and the Medical Profession. What has teinted their expertise that the greed of money and its attributes to dip their dirty fingers in the honey jar of the vulnerable and then launder this money through equally immoral bankers who send it abroad, knowing what they are doing. They say there are 30 solicitors struck off this year. I say to the govt. Find the money, through negotiation with banks abroad, etc. and return it to the rightful places. Such solicitors and their practices have contributed to the virus that has created the position we face today with our banks nationalised. Negotiate and get liquidity back into our market through equity and fairness.

Michelle Clarke
Quotation
Bertrand Russell, Philosopher, Mathematician - Skeptical Essays
'Into every tidy scheme for arranging the pattern of human life, it is necessary to inject a certain amount of anarchism - enough to prevent immobility to decay, but not enough to bring about disruption.

'There used to exist a code amongst thieves' EVEN !!!! Time for Change

by Kevin T. Walsh - Social Justice and Ethics Wed Oct 01, 2008 11:48

I read your article Michelle last night on the Corrib Gas Field going through the beautiful west of Ireland. I hope people are aware Michelle - there is no reduction for the Irish people in the price of gas. All the Irish citizen is receiving is a trampling upon and Corporate greed.

Yes, you are correct about the 30 solicitors been struck off in the last year or so and I believe there is another 25 facing legal proceedings. These people (given their precise knowledge) should face the full Rule of Law. I don't have your economical capacity but I ask one question - 400 billion euros Biffo and co. have pledged to bail the banks out with pending the President's signature and yet President Bush is fighting in the world's super power for 700 billion. The only answer I can conclude to this Michelle is - Things are not just serious. They are deeply concerning. As Eamon Gilmore of Labour put it - and it was very well said, 'Mr. Cowen - you are giving the deeds of the country over to the Banks but with no guarantee. So right now Michelle, is Joe Bloggs in Finglas west, or west Cork, paying for the bankers wives four by fours, opera in Vienna and skiing in Switzerland.

The people in Wedgewood begged for help some time ago - they failed. All they asked for was to earn a living and keep the company afloat and food on the table. Refused bluntly yet I recommend to all readers to today to do some informative research on the salaries, perks, bonuses, of these bankers and reflect on what ought to be done.

Michelle - I will close by saying. Nell McCafferty was a breath of fresh on last Monday's Today Tonight with John Bowman . She looked to the two politicians and the stockbrokers and in very simple terms said 'You all know nothing' - how succinct and true Nell is regarding this situation.

We are now in unchartered waters and let us see if we have a Captain Birds Eye to steer us through.

Quotation by Jack Russell, Philosopher and Deep Thinker
'I sit each day on Baggot Street having coffee. I watch all those yuppies hopping out of their sports cars- mercs, porsche and masserati and I wonder have we come a long way from the ditch. O yes I wonder.

by Michelle Clarke - Social Justice and Ethics Tue Apr 07, 2009 17:57

Kevin

You wrote in October 2008.

Today is the so-called mini-budget to redress ther Economic Crisis that Ireland has become immersed in. We must at all costs avoid the situation in Iceland i.e. to become bankrupt; to take the lead and follow the Swedes who have experienced near bankruptcy in the 1980's and have emerged innovative, capable and accepting of a more social orientated democracy, accepting that richer pay higher taxes.

Maura Harrington sentenced to 28 days prison by a Judge in Ireland, is thankfully released. She has served too long in such a sentence. She is passionate about her environment and she and others are entitled under the Constitution, I believe, to express their concerns about the paltry remuneration to be paid to the Irish as distinct to Corporatism......worldwide mode.

Michelle Clarke
Lemass and De Valera engaged in similar exercise in the 1940's against my grandfather, Judge Michael Comyn, KC, Prospector of Phosphate in Co. Clare. He started in his venture for Gold and phosphate in the 1920's with another Senator Mr. Briscoe.

World War II and the state needed phosphate for agriculture and imports from North Africa were blocked off. The State took power and seized the mines from him.

In his eighties, he sued the state and he won. As far as I am aware this case remains precdent. The State v. Comyn (Sean McBride and Brendan East provided the legal representation)

There must be some innovative lateral thought function out there that can eek out a case for the Corrib.......out of the Precedent........i.e. miner resources both.....

We need the funds now, the equitable funds.....oil is worth billions they say and yet our focus is restrained to admonishing the vulnerable.

Michelle