Environmentalists highlight gas field concerns

Concerns were today being raised over allegations that the Government put pressure on Mayo Co Council in the creation of a gas field terminal.

It was claimed that a deal was struck with energy companies on bringing gas ashore from the Corrib field off Co Mayo, and Fianna Fail received donations from two of the firms involved.

Members of the Dail were to highlight concerns surrounding the matter in Dublin at a press conference organised by environmental group Campaign for the Protection of Resources.

Last week’s Channel 4 News report claimed two of the companies involved with Enterprise Energy Ireland – Marathon Petroleum and Pierce Construction – gave donations to Fianna Fail.

It was alleged that efforts were made by the Department for the Marine and Natural Resources to intervene in the planning process and persuade planners and local people to accept proposals for the site.

Sinn Fein’s spokesman on Natural Resources Martin Ferris was one of the TDs attending today’s press conference to discuss the ongoing controversy.

“This whole issue is something which is of enormous concern to me as a former oil rig worker and Sinn Fein TD,” he said.

“I have raised the issue on many occasions since being elected and Sinn Fein was the first party to call for the licensing terms and conditions, as amended by Ray Burke in 1987, to be made subject to a full investigation by the Flood Tribunal.

“This is a crucial issue, as the handing over of our oil and gas reserves is closing off a potentially massive future source of economic growth, especially at a time when ordinary people are being faced with sweeping cuts in public spending.”

Others attending today’s discussions were SIPTU, Independent TD Jerry Cowley, the Green Party’s Eamon Ryan and the Socialist Party’s Joe Higgins.