Proper planning procedures thrown out the window for Shell – Martin Ferris
mayo |
rights, freedoms and repression |
press release 
Wednesday July 30, 2008 12:43
by SF
"Green Party Ministers should have the political integrity to stand over their position in relation to the Corrib gas pipeline"
Published: 29 July, 2008
Sinn Féin Environment and Natural Resources Spokesperson Martin Ferris TD has severely criticised a decision by the Department of the Environment to grant planning permission without approval from An Bord Pleanála to Shell E&P Limited for a key section of the Corrib onshore pipeline at Glengad in County Mayo.
Planning permission was granted via the controversial Strategic Infrastructure Act.
Deputy Ferris said, "When the Strategic Infrastructure Bill was making its way through the Oireachtas I warned that it would be used to push through the Corrib gas pipeline project without proper consultation with the community affected.
"The decision of the Department of the Environment to grant planning permission without approval from An Bord Pleanála to Shell E&P Limited for a key section of the Corrib onshore pipeline at Glengad in County Mayo shows that my concern at the time was fully warranted.
"This decision flies in the face of local democratic accountability and the legislation used to facilitate it was designed for exactly that purpose. I am also aware that former Taoiseach Bertie Ahern first mentioned this legislation after a meeting with Shell E&P who had apparently raised concerns over the planning process here.
"Both Green Party Ministers should have the political integrity to stand over their position in relation to the Corrib gas pipeline. While in opposition both Ministers were opposed to the development of an onshore pipeline. However, now that they are in Government they have turned their backs on the people of Mayo and are actively supporting. In fact it was Environment Minister John Gormley's own department which has by-passed An Bord Pleanála to grant planning permission for this latest phase of the project.
"It is a disgrace that the community has been by-passed in such a manner when such serious concerns around health and safety and the affect on the community have not been addressed."
Comments (4 of 4)
Jump To Comment: 1 2 3 4Well, it goes, "Hi Taoiseach/ Minister/ Commissioner, I'm a million-euro note, let's you & me go somewhere quiet & talk of things more interesting than people's rights & the irreplaceable environment....."
The politicians in the Republic now are not serving the people any better than the British colonial rulers did. A baton blow doesn't feel any better from a Garda than from an RIC officer, in fact it is more bitter that it comes from 'our own people'. The Erris people & people of Ireland have been sold out by gombeens; nationality or accent is not the issue here - either you are for the rights of the people & the land, or for the exploitation & environmental catastrophe that Shell is trying to force into Erris.
It has been impossible at times to get active politicians interested in the Corrib gas controversy, but it is heartening that some brave souls take the leap and speak their minds.
In this continuing saga, the only thing more disgraceful than a spineless government is the total disregard for local people's lives by the elected representatives of Mayo. Michael Ring at least spoke out in support of relocating the refinery, but the silence by all on the latest horrors at Glengad is the saddest episode so far.
A rape of the landscape against common sense and decency, whilst trampling on people's basic human rights. It's time to wake up, Mayo...
Martin Ferris meets local people on Glengad beach
Press Release : December 3, 2009
The Sinn Féin Spokesperson on Natural Resources, Martin Ferris TD, has highlighted the failure to consult the local community in a debate on new legislation governing the granting of Foreshore Licenses. The Kerry North TD also referred to the need to take into consideration the economic as well as the environmental aspects of major projects based in coastal areas.
Deputy Ferris said: “The case that immediately springs to mind is the controversy over the granting of the Foreshore license to the companies involved in the Corrib gas project. That was granted in May 2002 by then Minister responsible Frank Fahey just prior to the general election. There has been no indication that a proper consultation process was followed in that regard.
“The foreshore is defined as the area between the high water mark and the 12 mile sea limit and yet the pipeline to be laid at Rossport, prior to the recent decision of An Bord Pleanala to request that it be re-routed, was nine kilometres from the landfall of the pipeline coming onshore.
“I have submitted an amendment setting out specifically that the consultation process should also involve relevant local groups with a proven interest in the area for which the license has been applied for. This could include for example local fishermen and others with an economic interest in the foreshore or representative local groups with concerns around the environmental impact and safety issues.
“It is also important that when a major project such as Corrib involving the oil and gas reserves that lie off our coast are involved in the granting of a Foreshore license that the criteria for examining the merit of the proposal also take into account other than the strictly environmental issues.
“Had such criteria been applied to the Corrib proposal there might well have been a different outcome. Indeed in his report rejecting the application in 2002, Inspector Kevin Moore of An Bord Pleanala did refer to the economic aspects of the proposal and claimed that the proposal did not fit in with the need for balanced and sustainable regional development, including in its economic aspects.”
Martin Ferris
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