Proper planning procedures thrown out the window for Shell – Martin Ferris

by SF Fri Dec 04, 2009 11:18

Press Release : December 3, 2009

The Sinn Féin Spokesperson on Natural Resources, Martin Ferris TD, has highlighted the failure to consult the local community in a debate on new legislation governing the granting of Foreshore Licenses. The Kerry North TD also referred to the need to take into consideration the economic as well as the environmental aspects of major projects based in coastal areas.

Deputy Ferris said: “The case that immediately springs to mind is the controversy over the granting of the Foreshore license to the companies involved in the Corrib gas project. That was granted in May 2002 by then Minister responsible Frank Fahey just prior to the general election. There has been no indication that a proper consultation process was followed in that regard.

“The foreshore is defined as the area between the high water mark and the 12 mile sea limit and yet the pipeline to be laid at Rossport, prior to the recent decision of An Bord Pleanala to request that it be re-routed, was nine kilometres from the landfall of the pipeline coming onshore.

“I have submitted an amendment setting out specifically that the consultation process should also involve relevant local groups with a proven interest in the area for which the license has been applied for. This could include for example local fishermen and others with an economic interest in the foreshore or representative local groups with concerns around the environmental impact and safety issues.

“It is also important that when a major project such as Corrib involving the oil and gas reserves that lie off our coast are involved in the granting of a Foreshore license that the criteria for examining the merit of the proposal also take into account other than the strictly environmental issues.

“Had such criteria been applied to the Corrib proposal there might well have been a different outcome. Indeed in his report rejecting the application in 2002, Inspector Kevin Moore of An Bord Pleanala did refer to the economic aspects of the proposal and claimed that the proposal did not fit in with the need for balanced and sustainable regional development, including in its economic aspects.”

Martin Ferris

by JM Sat Aug 02, 2008 03:42

It has been impossible at times to get active politicians interested in the Corrib gas controversy, but it is heartening that some brave souls take the leap and speak their minds.

In this continuing saga, the only thing more disgraceful than a spineless government is the total disregard for local people's lives by the elected representatives of Mayo. Michael Ring at least spoke out in support of relocating the refinery, but the silence by all on the latest horrors at Glengad is the saddest episode so far.

A rape of the landscape against common sense and decency, whilst trampling on people's basic human rights. It's time to wake up, Mayo...

Martin Ferris meets local people on Glengad beach

by lulu Wed Jul 30, 2008 21:47

The politicians in the Republic now are not serving the people any better than the British colonial rulers did. A baton blow doesn't feel any better from a Garda than from an RIC officer, in fact it is more bitter that it comes from 'our own people'. The Erris people & people of Ireland have been sold out by gombeens; nationality or accent is not the issue here - either you are for the rights of the people & the land, or for the exploitation & environmental catastrophe that Shell is trying to force into Erris.

by lulu Wed Jul 30, 2008 17:38

Well, it goes, "Hi Taoiseach/ Minister/ Commissioner, I'm a million-euro note, let's you & me go somewhere quiet & talk of things more interesting than people's rights & the irreplaceable environment....."