Shell fails to get the message

Mayo residents protesting at the controversial Corrib pipeline have lashed out at multinational Shell for continuing to ignore their concerns.

The locals hit out at the company after a two-day hearing conducted in Mayo by the Department of Marine and Natural Resources on Wednesday and Thursday of last week, during which Shell said it was still fully committed to the Corrib gas field project and onshore pipeline. The company ruled out any possibility of locating the gas plant offshore, saying it refused to go back to the drawing board.

Shell-to-Sea campaigners said the company's mentality was completely out of touch with what was going on across the country.

However, Andy Pyle, Managing Director of Shell E&P Ireland Ltd claimed the company was committed to mediation, as suggested by Minister Noel Dempsey.

The company also announced it would be dismantling a section of the pipeline which it welded together without permission.

The Rossport 5, imprisoned for 94 days for refusing to obey a High Court injunction preventing them from protesting at the pipeline, have not participated in the public hearing.

Mark Garavan, spokesperson for the Shell-to-Sea campaign, said the men felt they could not participate in the hearing due to their on-going court saga, as well as a mediation process between themselves and Shell, due to take place soon. The men wish to await that process before addressing the substantial concerns they have.

An interview with Mícheál Ó Seighin of the Rosspost Five can be found in features