Shell To Sea newsletter - 07/12/2007

by Len Sat Dec 29, 2007 13:52

But what does a power plant in Norway have to do with a gas pipe in Mayo? What is the source of this information?

S2S are now concerning themselves with carbon emissions of the Norwegian state, bit confusing your whole campaign.

by catherine - none Sun Dec 30, 2007 02:54 katiem at iolfree dot ie

Having read hundreds of posts, and posted a few comments of my own, I would really like to know, once and for all, what the majority of people living within a ten mile radius of the terminal really think. I understand that those living closest will probably have a negative view, and that is their prerogative, but I am constantly reading that S2S have the backing of the majority of people in Erris, Mayo, and further afield, so why not prove it? Could you not organize an online poll, or give out leaflets on the street, to be collected or deposited? I would confine it to the basic questions of gas, yes or no, terminal on land or at sea, simply because anyone who is remotely interested, and who is likely to respond, will already know about flaring, water pollution, pressure of the gas, etc., so these points will be moot. You might disagree.
I am more pro- than anti-, but I have no axe to grind, and will probably not benefit either way. I have no house to rent out, no goods or services to sell, no kids needing scholarships, no project needing funds, but I would just like to know how many people actually have an opinion one way or the other. The number of people turning out at a protest is neither here nor there. Some have nothing better to do, others would be there but have something else to do, so one day you could have 300, another you might only have 30. People have lives to lead, and work to do. I don't think you can quantify the success or failure of a protest, based solely on the number of bodies on the line.
On a more sour note, I consider the level of abuse heaped on those who do not see eye to eye with S2S to be quite detrimental. It discourages those of us who might be pro-, but are quite willing to listen to reasoned arguments, but are called "trolls" because we dare to dissent. I thought that was the basis of the whole S2S campaign, the right to question? so please do not abuse those of us who think we know which side we are on, but could be persuaded otherwise with sensible facts. I am aware of our Governments part in this whole debacle, but that is ancient history. The only hope is that they will see right by this country in future.
On a final point, I do think that without the brave people who started the fight back in 2005, Shell would have gotten away with many breaches of human rights, and I admire them for their courage in the face of a giant, and their contribution to their local community. They certainly made Shell sit up and take notice of our little backwater. They have a lot of be proud of, and so do we. A touch of David and the Goliath!

by up too late Sun Dec 30, 2007 04:27

Why don't you orghanise such a poll? Who better to arrange it and collate the results?

Surely if Shell to Sea did it, many would say that it could not be trusted.

When a petition aginst the refinery was organised, and met with overwhelming support, Shell supporters said that it amounted to intimidation!

Similarly if Shell organised a poll it would be distrusted, since the company has shown that it is not above changing poll results to suit itself.

Lastly, I would suggest that polls, while interesting, should not be the only thing that you take into consideration with regard to the Shell scheme.

Often surveys simply measure what people have been told by the media, and can be an indication of the success or otherwise of misinformation campaigns. For example, I'm told that if a survey of the area around Carnsore in the 1970's had been carried out, it would almost certainly have indicated that a nuclear reactor had the support of the local people, such was the extent of the misinformation being pushed by the likes of Dessie O'Malley and the government of the day.

Thankfully Carnsore never went ahead, and hopefully the refinery at Bellanabaoy will meet the same fate, no matter if it is a minority or majority of local people who follow the lead of the Rossport Five in opposing it.

by CMcC Sun Dec 30, 2007 09:25

sure wasn't there a poll in the Irish Times lately? Was it c. 18% for, 72% against onshore refinery?

by MacE Sun Dec 30, 2007 21:13

This is the result of an online poll: http://scripts.ireland.com/polls/head2head/index.cfm?fu...=8030

This one was confined to Mayo: http://www.corribsos.com/uploads/nuachtmayopollrossport...D.pdf

by hs - sp personal capacity Mon Dec 31, 2007 15:09

of the gas doesn't only effect the locals, its of national interest. A corrupt government has given away for free, millions worth of nationl assets, tribunal anyone? :-)