Labour urges Norwegian government to discuss Corribb impasse with StatOil

national | environment | press release Wednesday August 03, 2005 11:24 by elaine - Labour

Labour meets with Norwegian officials to discuss Corribb impasse and condemns Minister Dempsey's recent decision to allow Shell to proceed with the construction of the off-shore section

In a meeting yesterday with the Charge d’affaire of the Norwegian Embassy Labour Spokesperson on Energy Deputy Tommy Broughan urged the Norwegian government, as Statoil’s majority shareholder, to urgently discuss the current Corrib impasse with the company.

Deputy Broughan commented, “I met with the Charge d’affaire of the Norwegian Embassy to discuss Statoil’s role in the Corrib gas pipeline project. After explaining at length the concerns of the people of North Mayo which led to the imprisonment of the Rossport 5, I was assured that the strong views outlined by myself at the meeting would be passed on to Statoil and also to the Norwegian government, which holds over 71% of Statoil’s shares.

“Statoil positions itself as a company with a strong sense of social responsibility and integrity, yet it is a 36% shareholder in the Corrib gas project. I will be meeting Statoil representatives later on the week to pursue this matter further and explore every avenue possible to help bring about a resolution of the dispute and ensure the five Rossport residents are released from prison as quickly as possible.

“Minister Dempsey must also call a halt to any offshore construction of the Corrib gas pipeline until all current issues relating to Shell’s breach of ministerial consents in relation to the onshore section of the pipeline have been thoroughly dealt with.

”Reports have indicated that the Minister will allow Shell to begin to construct the off-shore section of the pipeline, because the on-shore and off-shore sections of the pipeline are being treated as separate entities for the purposes of ministerial approval.

“Beginning the construction of the off-shore section without waiting for the conclusion of the latest health and safety review seems pointless and Shell itself has stated that the work will not resume until the review is over.”