Government stance on Shell is not impartial

IT is time Noel Dempsey and friends were called to task over their cynical posturing as impartial observers in the Corrib gas dispute.

Far from being impartial, it was Haughey’s government, with Bertie as finance minister, which established, through the good offices of Ray Burke, the conditions under which Shell could freely exploit our gas reserves.

Ahern then expanded Shell’s Bellanaboy permit to include future processing of oil and other petrochemicals. He paved the way through permission granted by his Mayo councillors — a decision subsequently questioned by An Bord Pleanála inspectors — for the inappropriately located terminal site at Bellababoy.

Next they ensured that all foreshore licenses, pipeline route permits, etc, were delivered to Shell despite the serious questions and concerns raised by the EU, the local community and many informed observers.

Our ‘impartial’ Government has no such questions or concerns. Some of them have been partial to the occasional financial dig-out in the past. We can only hope there is no connection between this and their ‘impartial’ posturing.

Bernard Grimes

Lindsay Road

Glasnevin

Dublin 9