Five TDs call on Dempsey to resign over pipeline dispute

A GROUP of Independent TDs, led by Mayo deputy Dr Jerry Cowley, have called on Natural Resources Minister Noel Dempsey to resign over his handling of the Corrib gas pipeline dispute.

Dr Cowley, Tony Gregory, Finian McGrath, Catherine Murphy and the Socialist Party’s Joe Higgins have accused the minister of interfering in the mediation process between the oil company, Shell, and local residents opposed to the construction of the gas terminal in north Mayo.

During angry exchanges in the Dáil yesterday, Dr Cowley accused Mr Dempsey of “scuppering” the work of the mediator, former union chief Peter Cassells, and also claimed that the minister’s position was untenable.