Demspey ‘too slow’ to take action over Shell pipeline

OBJECTORS to the controversial Mayo gas pipeline have described as too little, too late a ministerial order forcing Shell to dismantle a three-kilometre pipeline.

Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources Noel Dempsey has confirmed that the section of pipeline was welded without his approval.

"What I am ordering them (Shell) to do now is to undo the length of pipeline they welded," the minister declared yesterday.

He also warned Shell that it would be subjected to stricter monitoring by a new technical group.

Mr Dempsey said authorised officers appointed by him would be able to go on site unannounced to monitor and supervise the work.

Work on the onshore pipeline has been suspended by the company since a new safety review was commissioned by the minister. It is expected to be completed within four to six weeks.

Five men, known as the Rossport Five, have been in jail for almost six weeks after refusing to give assurances that they would not obstruct the construction of the pipeline.

The men farmers Willie Corduff, Philip McGrath and Brendan Philbin and retired schoolteachers Vincent McGrath and Micheál Ó Sheighin are opposed on health and safety grounds to the pipeline carrying untreated gas underneath their land.

Spokeswoman for the men and their families, Maura Harrington, said the minister was now trying to usurp the position of the men behind bars because they had stood up to the oil giant and taken on the role of the statutory body.

"His statement is a clear indication that the minister's department had not properly monitored this situation," she said. "It really annoys me that he is coming out and trying to give the impression that he is the tough guy putting it up to the oil company, that he is going to kick ass and see that they are going to behave in future. Why wasn't that done from the beginning?" she asked.

A statement from Shell yesterday said it was studying both a letter it received from Mr Dempsey on Sunday night and the comments he made yesterday.

Independent TD Jerry Cowley said the dismantled pipe should not be used again if it was going to be used for bringing untreated gas ashore. He added: "It just beggars belief that the minister can go along with this pantomime. I have no confidence in the ability of the Government to deal with the oil company."