Relief among politicians over release of Five

THE release of the Rossport Five was welcomed across the political spectrum last night.

The move eases a major embarrassment for the Government and allows opposition parties to claim pressure from them helped secure the outcome.

Taoiseach Bertie Ahern said the whole matter had been “regrettable” and added he hoped a probe into the men’s fears over the pipeline would resolve the issue permanently.

“We all know there were concerns that people had and we all know that the Government responded to that by bringing in the best international safety inspectorate to look at it and they’ll have their inquiries in a few weeks’ time and whatever recommendations they make, we will all be bound by them,” he told the Irish Examiner.

Fine Gael leader Enda Kenny said: “This is very welcome news. This debate can now move on to dealing with the questions that need to be answered in regard to the safety of the pipeline.”

Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources Noel Dempsey expressed relief at the release: “I welcome the fact that both sides have taken steps forward...”

Mr Dempsey said a safety review into the operation of the pipeline would report by mid-November.

The minster’s Labour shadow, Tommy Broughan, one of several opposition TDs to visit the five in jail, praised their sacrifice.

“They have done a service to their country in that their imprisonment has highlighted the way natural resources are exploited in this state.

“I hope there can now be a period of calm and reflection where both sides commit to a serious effort of working these matters out,” he said.

Green Party leader Trevor Sargent was angry the anti-Shell protestors had spent so long in prison: “Why did these five men remain in jail for 90 days?”

Independent Mayo TD Dr Jerry Cowley insisted the Taoiseach should personally apologise: “Bertie Ahern should be man enough to say sorry to these men in person for what’s happened to them and the time they’ve had to endure in jail.

“These men are an inspiration to Ireland and show what can be done when people rise up against a multinational giant and say ‘enough is enough’.”

Sinn Féin president Gerry Adams said: “I want to salute the courage of the five Mayo men and their families who stood up against the might of the multinational corporations and have emerged with their dignity intact.”