"The government has relinquished control over the offshore areas of our industry. Norway was tough regarding oil companies from the start. You now have an almost embarrassingly large pension fund. The situation for Irish communities, however, is as in Ogoniland in Nigeria - oil is a curse,”
PRESS RELEASE - 28/7/2011
Shell’s construction stopped for fifth consecutive day
-- Campaigners blockading heavy vehicles prevent construction of Shell’s onshore pipeline --
This morning, 28th of July 2011, campaigners again successfully stopped the first haulage of the day from Shell’s refinery at Ballinaboy to the proposed tunneling compound at Aughoose, Erris. Co. Mayo. Two people climbed on top of the tractor carrying materials for the construction site at 7.05am. The campaigners are currently blocking all further Shell transport for the fifth consecutive work day since Shell attempted to start peat removal on Friday the 22nd of July.
The first blockade of the day lasted for over two hours. At 9.45 a tripod blockade was erected on the same stretch of road, which is currently blocking Shell's haulage. Continuous blockades can be expected until 7pm this evening. Three arrests were made yesterday. There have been no arrests so far today.
Local resident Betty Schultz protesting this morning at Ballinaboy, said “Tomorrow’s Day of Action marks our continuing opposition to the disruption of the community and the unique environment we live in. Now is the time to support the community of Erris in their campaign. Ireland can’t afford to give away its natural resources.”
People from around Ireland are answering this SOS call from Erris, and many are expected to arrive this afternoon and this evening to be ready for a mass Day of Action tomorrow, Friday the 29th of July. In advance of the mass action tomorrow, local women gathered at the entrance to Ballinaboy this morning from 7am to show that Shell do not have the community consent.
Glenamoy resident Mary Horan at Ballinaboy gates said “While in Ireland we are closing our hospitals due to lack of funds, Shell have today announced profits of 13 billion euros. Shell’s profits announced this morning are sickening to this community whose health and safety has been sacrificed for Shell's shareholders. Neither Shell nor Enda Kenny can hide the injustice being done to Ireland. We will be here until justice is done.”
ENDS
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www.shelltosea.com
FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:
Maura Harrington 087 9591474
Terence Conway 086 0866264
The Shell to Sea Campaign has three main aims:
1) That any exploitation of the Corrib gas field be done in a safe way that will not expose the local community in Erris to unnecessary health, safety and environmental risks.
2) To renegotiate the terms of the Great Oil and Gas Giveaway, which sees Ireland’s 10 billion barrels of oil equivalent* off the West Coast go directly to the oil companies, with the Irish State retaining a 0% share, no energy security of supply and only 25% tax on profits against which all costs can be deducted.
3) To seek justice for the human rights abuses suffered by Shell to Sea campaigners due to their opposition to Shell’s proposed inland refinery.
*This figure is based on the estimate, issued by the Department of Communications, Energy & Natural Resources (DCENR) in 2006, that the amount of recoverable oil and gas in the Rockall and Porcupine basins, off Ireland’s west coast, is 10 BBOE (billion barrels of oil equivalent). Based on the average price of a barrel of oil for 2010 of $79, this works out at $790 billion, or €580 billion. This does not take account of further oil and gas reserves off Ireland’s south & east coasts or inland. The total volume of oil and gas which rightfully belongs to Ireland could be significantly higher. Also, as the global price of oil rises in the coming years, the value of these Irish natural resources will rise further.
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www.rossportsolidaritycamp.org
www.shelltosea.com