2 February 2006 Edition

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Government interference halts Corrib mediation

BY JOANNE CORCORAN

Protest held outside Leinster House last week, in support of the Rossport campaign

Protest held outside Leinster House last week, in support of the Rossport campaign

Government interference halts Corrib mediation

Shell's controversial Corrib gas pipeline was back in the news this week, following the decision of the Rossport 5 to suspend their involvement in mediation with the company.

The men, who were jailed last year after protesting the dangerous Corrib project, terminated the talks, which are being chaired by Peter Cassells, former ICTU President and Labour Party candidate, on Wednesday morning. The men cited continual interference by the Marine and Natural Resources Minister Noel Dempsey, as their reason for withdrawing, and said they deeply regretting having to make the decision.

In an exclusive interview with An Phoblacht in January, one of the men, Mícheál O Seighin, said the five were concerned whether the Minister had good faith in establishing the mediation process, given his support for Shell over the previous year.

This week's development comes on the foot of a protest held outside Leinster House last week, in support of the Rossport campaign. The protest coincided with a meeting Shell was holding in the House at the time, with TDs from the West.

Sinn Féin Spokesperson on Natural Resources, Martin Ferris TD attended the protest and said: "It is interesting that while Shell continues to refuse to engage in any meaningful dialogue with those objecting to their pipeline, they are mounting a renewed PR campaign seeking to portray the impression that they have the support of certain local elected representatives and organisations.

"The fact remains that none of the key questions surrounding the pipeline have been answered," Ferris said. "Meanwhile, the Rossport community and their supporters remain determined that the pipeline as currently envisaged will not go ahead. They are also intent on continuing to highlight the little benefit that the Corrib field will bring to the Irish economy under the current licensing and revenue terms."


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