Seven reasons why Corrib gas row horrifies people

SIX years ago the Shell to Sea campaign warned there would be severe conflict if the oil giant and the Government persisted in bringing unrefined gas to land in north Mayo.

But Taoiseach Bertie Ahern and Shell knew better — they pressed ahead for the company’s economic benefit and left us in this sorry situation for which they, with all their so-called expertise, cannot find a just solution.

It is very sad for me, a pensioner, to criticise An Garda Siochána. But I’m afraid there have been enough trustworthy accounts and eyewitness reports to convince all but the most blind that a worrying number of gardaí are breaking the law in Erris. They are no longer guardians of the peace. Who is giving the orders?

It was reassuring to read Mr Ahern’s statement that the rule of law must be upheld in Co Mayo. I take that to mean gardaí who have broken the law will be brought to court.

I wish to thank Michael D Higgins for stating so clearly that negotiations are far from over contrary to what the Taoiseach would have us believe, and for posing all the other questions the Government must face up to.

I commend Mr Higgins and other Labour politicians for going to Mayo to see for themselves. I asked the three Government TDs in my Dún Laoghaire constituency — Mary Hanafin, Barry Andrews and Fiona O’Malley — to do likewise. They have not replied yet.

In the past year, having met people from the area and visited Erris three times, I have gained some knowledge of the situation. Without exception the people to whom I have passed on this knowledge were horrified by what has been happening:

1. The meeting of a minister and oil company representatives with no civil servants present.

2. The changing of laws on compulsory purchase to suit Shell.

3. No planning permission needed for the pipeline.

4. No revenue accruing to the State to help finance, for example, our ailing health system.

5. Gross exaggeration of the number of jobs that would be created.

6. The threat to life from the risk of explosion in pipes carrying unrefined gas.

7. Serious environmental pollution in an important fishing and beautiful tourist area.

The pipeline is not the same as the gas pipes under our streets. Far from it.

I find all the talk from the Minister for Justice, some gardaí and Fine Gael about people (that is, ‘troublemakers’) going to Erris from other parts of the country extremely insulting.

I always thought it a good thing to go to help your friends or those in need. Has Ireland changed that much?

As regards Justice Minister Michael McDowell’s scaremongering, maybe it has escaped his notice that Sinn Féin, whatever he or I may think, is a legitimate political party with seats in the Dáil.

Whenever I try to assess Mr McDowell as a concerned politician, I think of a situation that may be miles away from Erris — and maybe not.

Almost seven years ago the weekly allowance for an adult asylum seeker was fixed at €19.10 (or the then equivalent in punts) and €9.60 for those under-18. These allowances have remained unchanged ever since.

The Irish Refugee Council says the allowances should now be 49 and 24 respectively.

Mr McDowell, who has received many pay increases in the past seven years, whether he needed them or not, is responsible for asylum seekers’ allowances, which are coldly calculated, unjust and miserly.

The connection with Erris? I pity anyone who is suffering at the hands of this Government.

Seán Ó Riain

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