Ken Loach amongst those making a public call for Shell to Act Now
national |
rights, freedoms and repression |
news report 
Wednesday September 17, 2008 15:33
by Dublin Shell To Sea - Shell To Sea
Politicians and Campaign supporters call for immediate Shell clarification on Solitiare
Several prominent politicians today called for Shell to immediately make explicit what the intent of the pipe laying ship Solitiare is. Given that Maura Harrington is entering her 10th day of hunger strike, and there are various rumours going around about the sea worthiness of the pipelaying vessel, Tony Gregory TD, Sen. David Norris, Joe Higgins, Patricia McKenna, Andy Storey (Afri) and the filmmaker Ken Loach all signed up to the joint statement calling for the Multinational Shell to give an unequivocal annoucement , rather than playing with the life of local campaigner Ms Harrington
Several prominent politicians today called for Shell to immediately make explicit what the intent of the pipe laying ship Solitiare is. Given that Maura Harrington is entering her 10th day of hunger strike, and there are various rumours going around about the sea worthiness of the pipelaying vessel, Tony Gregory TD, Sen. David Norris, Joe Higgins, Patricia McKenna, Andy Storey (Afri) and the filmmaker Ken Loach all signed up to the joint statement calling for the Multinational Shell to give an unequivocal annoucement , rather than playing with the life of local campaigner Ms Harrington.
Along with Shell To Sea supporters around the country, they are aware of the blantant disregard that Royal Dutch Shell, parent company of Shell in Ireland, for the lives of whole communities in the many places the extract local natural resources. They are also aware Shell are playing a dangerous cat and mouse game but refusing to make public their intentions and that of the Solitaire, which lies idlying off the coast at Killebegs, Co Donegal.
Below is the joint statement released this afternoon.
"Maura Harrington, a 55 year old school teacher, is now entering her 10th day on hunger strike in Glengad, Co. Mayo. With every passing day, an increased risk to her health and life is posed by Shell's intransigence.
Maura began her hunger strike when the biggest pipe-laying ship in the world, Solitaire, arrived to start laying the pipeline for Shell's controversial Corrib gas project. Since then, according to Shell, the Solitaire was damaged and withdrawn to Killybegs harbour in Donegal. However, Maura remains on hunger strike, calling for Solitaire to leave Irish territorial waters, and is growing physically weaker by the day.
It was previously reported that Shell would not attempt to lay the pipeline until next year, however no statement from Shell has been forthcoming to confirm or deny that. If Shell were to confirm this, we feel that that would hopefully provide sufficient grounds for Maura to end her current protest.
Instead, however, Shell has chosen to maintain a stony silence. In reality, one of the biggest multinationals in the world is playing a game of high stakes poker with Maura's life. We are calling for an immediate end to this "game", and for Shell to reveal its intentions – to clarify whether they will attempt to lay the pipeline before the end of the year.
If they do not clarify their position, and anything happens to Maura, Shell will be responsible."
Tony Gregory: Only too aware of Shell's "game playing"
Joe Higgins: What's going on with the Solitiare
David Norris: Ms Harrington's life being played with
Patricia Mc Kenna: Shell will be held responsible for its silence
Comments (10 of 10)
Jump To Comment: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10As Shell and the Solitaire play games with Maura's life it begs the question: Who is feeding the Solitaire? A ship of that size with a large crew must need to replenish their stocks of food and water. Where are these supplies being obtained? If it is Killybegs I would call on the people there to enforce a strict boycott of the ship. If nothing else, starve them out of Irish waters.
Many retailers in Killybegs have been enjoying a boost in trade since the arrival of the Solitaire.
If the retailers themselves continue to capitalise then locals should boycott thier businesses.
How disgusting to support this ship.
The Pro Gas Mayo lobby group today deplored the painting of Shell to Sea slogans on the Garda Station and Courthouse in Castlebar and on the office of a relative of a Shell employee in Castlebar.
'This is a further attack on the state property and institutions, particularly the Courthouse where justice is dispensed,' the group said in a statement.
It added: 'We support the democratic institutions of the state in upholding the law of the land.'
It is good to see people of the calibre of Tony Gregory ,David Norris and Joe Higgins supporting muintir Erris but where is Deputy Finian McGrath?. Was he not the sixth member of the Rossport 5.? remember all the photo opportunities?
By the way is it possible to have the relevant Government department send inspectors to the Solitaire off Killybegs to see the state of repair, seaworthiness and fitness for purpose of the vessel.?
Good wishes to Maura
where is Finian?
Its telling that the arguments of Shell2Sea's opponants read like the essays of naive school children.
Solitaire's Mission Statement demands that " If you can dream it you can do it". So no excuses for not going into international waters - dream it and do it. Solitaire prides itself on its " no guts no glory" philosophy. Away you go with guts and get your glory - illustrate your sense of " reputation, responsiblility and integrity" which the Statement claims is " the cornerstone of existence". Honour and match Maura's dreams, her doing, her guts, her reputation, her responsibility and integrity.
Quote -
'Not wanting to watch death -Instead, however, Shell has chosen to maintain a stony silence. In reality, one of the biggest multinationals in the world is playing a game of high stakes poker with Maura's life. We are calling for an immediate end to this "game", and for Shell to reveal its intentions – to clarify whether they will attempt to lay the pipeline before the end of the year.
- - - If they do not clarify their position, and anything happens to Maura, Shell will be responsible."
In total agreement.
This is a situation, that is increasingly raising many emotions within many, including that of a state watching over the possible death of one of its citiziens
This cannot be allowed to happen.
And therefore clarity is needed, as above
'D
http://www.rte.ie/news/2008/0918/shell.html
If the case, then good news, - as a start.
As always
In Solidarity
D
And in signing off, - on this battle
Organisation - Belfast WSM {PC} and Belfast Shell to Sea {PC}
ATB -
D
I have no support for the way Shell are bringing this gas in and no support for the Irish government giving away our resources, so I respect the people who are struggling for a fairer deal all round.
BUT...In truth, does anybody really, genuinely believe that the biggest pipe laying ship in the world is going to have it's agenda set by the ideology of one private citizen ? In reality it is Ms Harrington who is playing a dangerous game with her own life, not Shell or the Solitaire. Being Practical about it we would have to say that there is no chance that they will back down because of her actions as it would set a precedent both for them and for all activists in the future.
One hunger striker can get anything they want done or undone by simply threatening to starve themselves to death. Its never going to be the case and Ms Harrington is engaged in a very dangerous game of chicken.
Problem with her game of chicken is that she is in a rubber dinghy playing chicken with a supertanker that is incapable of altering it's course.
I respect her ideals, but I think she should stop before she does herself harm or goes too far down the road and finds she cant turn back.
Thats all.
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