Rabbitte urges end to imprisonment of Rossport Five
Oil company Shell Ireland last night said it was still exploring all possible avenues that would allow five Mayo farmers purge their contempt of a High Court order.
The so-called Rossport Five have spent the past 63 days in a Dublin prison arising from their opposition to the controversial project.
Mr Rabbitte said: "The ongoing incarceration of five law-abiding citizens because of their convictions that the Shell operation at Rossport, Co Mayo, may pose a risk to health and life is now bordering on becoming a national disgrace."
He suggested Shell waive its interests under the High Court injunction that led to the men's imprisonment - and that the five simultaneously apologise to the court.
He said the Government should appoint an agreed mediator who would report on all issues of concern to the men.
Mr Rabbitte said since the oil companies concerned were the principal beneficiaries of the find off the Mayo coast, it was entirely reasonable they be required to spell out "what benefits will accrue to this underdeveloped region arising from this significant gas find in Irish waters."
A delegation of Independent TDs will travel to Cloverhill Prison to meet the men today.
Yesterday, the Shell to Sea group, supporting the Rossport Five, held a peaceful lunchtime protest outside the Norwegian Embassy in Dublin.
Statoil, the Norwegian state oil company holds 36.5% equity in the consortium behind the Mayo gas project.
A spokesperson for the group said as majority shareholders in Statoil, the Norwegian government must instruct the oil company to cease participation in "an unsafe pipeline" that does not have the consent of the Rossport residents.
"We trust that the Norwegian government will now act honourably by ending Statoil's shameful participation and abuse of the Rossport Five, their families and community immediately," the spokesperson added.
The group plans a blockade of the Statoil premises in Dublin docks on September 10, followed by a protest outside the Dáil on October 1.
