On Tuesday January 20th, Minister for Foreign Affairs Micheál Martin stated that it is "extraordinary" that gas from the Corrib field has not yet been brought onshore. Shell to Sea feels that what is really "extraordinary" is that the Government is still trying to force this experimental project through given the local community concerns regarding their health, safety and local environment.
Shell to Sea feel that the only way that this situation can be moved forward positively, is for Shell to halt their current operations in the area so that the Corrib debacle can be settled for once and for all. It is high time that the Government started taking the concerns of communities seriously and stops acting just in the interest of big business and banks.
In referring to the recent gas dispute between Russia and the Ukraine, Minister Martin failed to raise the most crucial point that this episode highlighted, which is that Russia has control of its' gas supply, Ireland on the other hand doesn't and won't under the current terms.
Responding to Minister Martins' comments, Shell to Sea spokesperson Maura Harrington stated "Micheál Martin spoke of our need for energy security, but seeing as we will have to buy our own gas back from Shell, the real question is, in these dark economic times where is the 'security of finance' going to come from so that we can get 'security of supply'?".
Recent Garda expenses figures show that for the month of October 08 alone, Gardaí claimed over €1 million for policing the protests against the proposed Corrib project. While a spokesperson for the Dept. of Justice stated that the Garda operation was needed as the protest weren't peaceful, given that no charges have been pressed against any of the protestors, this is totally disingenuous.
Local fisherman Pat O'Donnell stated "Last Autumn in a two month period, during Shells' failed attempt to lay the offshore pipeline over 40 arrests were made, however no charges have resulted from any of these arrests. I, along with other fishermen, was arrested on the water while we were trying to protect our property and livelihoods. The Government has always gone on about Shells' right to go to work yet I was wrongfully arrested at my place of work."
Mr. O'Donnell continued "How can the fact that no protestors have been charged, be tallied with the Department of Justices' statement that the protests aren't peaceful. The local community will continue to protest while their safety and local environment is put at risk by Shell and their friends in Government".
For verification contact:
Maura Harrington - 087 9591474
Terence Conway - 086 0866264
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More Info:
Article on the Corrib Policing Costs: http://www.breakingnews.ie/ireland/mhsnojmhkfmh/
