Gas price hike threatlinked to Rossport row

THE recent announcement by An Bord Gais of a possible price increase is a cynical ploy by the state to manipulate public opinion in relation to the Rossport campaign.

This has proved a massive public relations disaster for Shell and for the Government. There appears to be a mood now to ‘own up’ and move on with getting the gas ashore. Public support for the local people has to be smashed if this is to happen, and what better way to do it than threaten a 40% price hike if they can’t get the gas ashore.

The hope is that with no widespread support, it will be relatively easy to deal with local resistance. How many people are aware they are the target of a massive public relations campaign to discredit the Rossport Five and empower Shell to get the gas ashore as quickly and cheaply as possible without due regard to the safety of the locals?