If you want to hurt Shell in Ireland- Boycottt Topaz

by tw Wed Apr 29, 2009 13:43

Topaz has indeed quietly removed all mention of Shell from its retail brochures and marketing material, but it is still a Shell licensee, and happy to own up to it for an international audience.

This is an except from a press release from Dresser Wayne, the company which supplies Topaz petrol pumps:

"About Topaz

In 2005 Topaz Energy purchased the oil products business of Irish Shell and Shell Northern Ireland. It went on to acquire Statoil Ireland in 2006. Topaz Energy currently operates as a licensee for both brands in Ireland."

http://www.dresserwayne.com/index.cfm/go/content-detail...02007

by James Kelly Wed Apr 29, 2009 16:50

"If you want to hurt Shell in Ireland Boycott-Topaz".

I am all on for the above in spades, but it should be remembered that the vast, vast ,majority of the population are CLUELESS about "the deal" to plunder our resources.

They are also clueless that the projected pipeline in Rossport is many multiples in pressure of town gas and criticaly is Odourless.

I did meet one very distressed, elderly man, during a recent 23 hour wait, in an A and E in Dublin.
He had a hazy idea about "the gas".

He said to me "Oh Yes and sure they can't even get it in, because of the trouble up there, in Mayo is it?".

When I asked him if he would agree to a mega pressure, odourless, gas pipe near his neighbourhood he suggested the madhouse for anyone who would agree to such a set up.

He told me his grandson is "always on the computer " , I wrote him out a few websites to give to the grandson.

We need to advertise the websites on stickers, leaflets, posters etc.

by A. Smallbridge Thu Apr 30, 2009 12:02

Yer right there James people read the rubbish meeja and beleive that troublemakers in Mayo are stoppin Ireland gettin its gas...
them who own the papers think they own the Land

by Scallop Shell Thu Apr 30, 2009 12:57

Topaz has also taken over all Statoil stations in Ireland.

I don't think a boycott would do any good.

The answer to this problem lies in Dail Eireann.(God help us.)

by MacE Thu Apr 30, 2009 16:50

I don't see how a boycott would hurt; there's certainly no point giving money to Shell indirectly if you don't like them. The Solitaire wasn't stopped by anyone in the Dáil, it was stopped by ordinary men and women standing up when needed. Some in the Dáil might feel like following when a campaign gets momentum behind it, but that doesn't make them any less redundant.

by feck topaz Thu Apr 30, 2009 18:05

The hard part about boycotts is getting lots of OTHER people to join in.
In Ireland we have plenty of alternatives to fuel the cars.

Remember that anytime we spend money to buy goods and services from a company, it's like a tacit acceptance of the company, materials and corporate methods.

Looking to the dail is like asking some mysterious superhero to appear from nowhere to help.
There is no honest politician in the dail who would have the power to alter the status quo.
The people who can help us, are the ones we see in the mirror, and the ones we meet every day. Those folks in Erris don't have capes and X-ray vision. They have determination and courage.

by UP4IT - None Thu Apr 30, 2009 18:54

Topaz is operating out of headquaters in Clonskeagh.The same building that Shell once operated out of.

Why not boycott and why not begin picketing service stations again,that was effectiveas a financial punishment and was an effective way of informing the publicthrough awareness.

Shell to Hell is a hard slogan to follow.

Were gonna need one,how about ZAP TOPAZ!!!!!!!

by Catlady Fri May 01, 2009 00:14

I have to admit I have a fondness for Topaz as I found one of my cats at a Topaz garage in a pitiful state and scooped her up and brought her home! Her ame is Topaz for that reason he he. I'll now boycott them but whereis the best place to go to buy petrol?

by Elsafty Fri May 01, 2009 02:54

"where is the best place to go to buy petrol?"

Well many people have problems with TOP OIL because of their deal with Shannon and the US planes there, but if you look closely at any of the big petrol companies you'll probably find problems.

Of all of them, Shell is clearly the worst, and since they are actively making Irish people suffer at the moment they (and their TOPAZ front company) should be the one to avoid at all costs.

Lots of people try to use small independent retailers, but ask them first where they get their petrol from.

by the eskimo - s2s Fri May 01, 2009 09:34

ANY UPDATE ON MEETING IN INVER LAST NIGHT ?

by old codger - pensioner Sat May 02, 2009 13:08

I am shell shocked after that meeting. Two government ministers excused Garda violence and corruption and stated that they could do nothing about it. They advised people to contact the garda ombudsman who is under Fianna fail controll as is the judge.
De valera kept on quoting the constitution and to seek redress in court. Numerous people gave clear statements to them of Gardai standing by and laughing at hooded mercenary thugs asaulting people. That was bad but on being asked to do something about Shell using private mercenary hooded thugs to attack Irish citizens like assasins in the dead of night' or indeed in broad daylight they said that they could do nothing about it and that irms had a security licence and we should seek justice in the court.
As both Devalera and Ryan have publicly condoned Garda and shell crime claiming they could do nothing about it, we as citizens should now be quite clear that while Shell is our enemy so is our corrupt government.
I call on all Irish people, SHOW YOUR ANGER AT OUR NATION BEING SOLD TO FORIEGN MULTI NATIONAL CROOKS BY IRISH TRAITORS.GET RID OF THIS CORRUPT GOVERNMENT.

by Catlady Sat May 02, 2009 17:59

All cats need full names so she is hereby Christened "Boycott Topaz"! Mind you she usually gets called Topie, Terrorista or One-eye as she is a one eyed terrorist cat!

I'll certainly be boycotting Topaz from now on anyway (although not any stray cats they may have hanging around!) Thanks for the info.

by Sally B. Sat May 02, 2009 20:28 Co Cork

Definitely non-plussed to have a follow-up slogan to "Shell to Hell", but after some thought at last year's AFRI Hedge School in Mayo, my travelling companion added
TOPAZ? MY ASS.....................
I liked it.

by asgard Sat May 02, 2009 21:03

We all remember the story and many of us were there to see the Solitaire IMO Regd No 7129049 arrive and gather around itself two Irish naval vessels, provoke Maura Harrington's ten day hunger strike, earn some private security guards patches which you can only buy off of Hungarian fascist sites, there were even rumours of a Royal Navy nuclear submarine doing its best not to bumb into anything, the usual suspect Mr Green terrorists inflitrating the place - and blaa blaa de blaa.

But it only went on its way because its stinger was't working and had got all bent out of recognition.

perhaps that was random chance or our lady of knock's celestial word in the ear of divine intervention - but that really was the reason which we could not properly fathom but accepted as good news nonetheless.

Whatever and however that did bring Bibby Topaz diving support vessel into the story and potential future bidding for Irish operations.

by James Kelly. Sat May 02, 2009 21:36

Thanks for that old codger -pensioner.

Do you know if anyone recorded the meeting ? It's quite a report to read of Government Ministers getting that level of detail about what the state's police force are doing to citizens in Mayo.

I read in Irish Times today that O'Cuiv / Develera compared the situation in North Mayo as akin to the North of Ireland in the years of bloody strife. He drew the analogy from what he alleged were the 'divisions' among the community in North Mayo.

I would draw the analogy from the perspective of the setting aside of the rule of law, or even a pretence of the rule of law and human rights in North Mayo.

The position of Shell etal is analogous to the old Unionist Party Monolith control of the Northern state, using the police force as a a wing of the Unionist establishment to batter and terrorise opposition and civil rights activists.

The other almost identical issue is the blacking out of media reports. As in the North, for 50 years all of the repression was kept under raps and likewise in N Mayo, with a state/corporate media virtual blackout of what is going on, and consequently the vast bulk of the population in the rest of the state are clueless as to what is happening.

And I mean the Vast Majority and I mean Clueless.

Solidarity J K

by Margaret Sun May 03, 2009 08:05

According to the Irish Times report Minister O,Cuiv said at the INVER meeting"if costs were an impediment to people taking action this could be"talked about".Later on at the same meeting he says " the issue of us stopping the project is a legal impossibility".
Now,does this mean that the people of Ireland can be given the chance to renegotiate the deal between the government and the oil/gas companies,they have that power,why not put it to the people,let them decide,eg" was the politician who signed the deal of sound mind"?
Not only are the brave peole of ERRIS protecting their health and safety,the environment their very existence,they are also protecting the constitutional rights of the whole people of Ireland to ownership of our natural resources. They deserve political leadership ,Those who support them in the Dail must speak out now.
Dont forget all they have seen is the wielding baton of Conor Reilly & his gang,followed by the most insulting replies from the ombudsman,the horrific spectacle of a garda super forcing a mechanical digger through a peaceful crowd onto private land THAT and much more followed by the latest thuggery of SHELL and I-rms mercenaries beating up an Environmental prize winner and no arrests for that crime.THE lack of POLITICAL leadership is the the only comparison to the NORTH.

by Ardwinna Sun May 03, 2009 10:35

"Remain within law, Ministers urge in Mayo"

This whole problem (relating to our "Great Oil and Gas Giveaway"), together with a long string of others including the M3/N6 Tara and Turoe heritage protection fiascos, have arisen because our Government (Executive, Legislative, and Judicial) has itself failed to remain within the law.

"Mr Ó Cuív said that 'valid issues' had been raised by a lot of people at the Inver public meeting on Thursday. 'I don’t have a ready answer, but unless we agree that everything is done within the Constitution, it is very hard to see a way forward,' he said." (From Irish Times at http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/ireland/2009/0502/1....html )

What about Article 10 of our Constitution (Bunreacht na hEireann) Minister Ó Cuív ?

Article 10 (Bunreacht na hEireann) and Natural Resources:
http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=Article+10+%28Bunr...earch

What about Article 29.5.1 of Bunreacht na hEireann and The Aarhus Convention Agreement Minister Ó Cuív?

Aarhus Letter to Minister O'Cuiv:
http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=Aarhus+Letter+to+M...earch

With regard to your "It is very hard to see a way forward" comment Minister Ó Cuív, I'd very strongly and respectfully like to suggest to you, and to ALL of your colleagues in our Government (Executive, Legislative, and Judicial), that you go back -- without any further ado or delay -- to abiding by the Tripartite Separation of Powers Doctrine that is deeply embedded in Bunreacht na hEireann (the Constitution of the Republic of Ireland), and which you all -- and particularly the Judiciary (keeping in mind Article 34.5.1 of Bunreacht na hEireann) -- have a legal obligation to abide by.

Bunreacht na hEireann and the Tripartite Separation of Powers Doctrine:
http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=Bunreacht+na+hEire...earch

Article 34.5.1 of Bunreacht na hEireann:
http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=Article+34.5.1+of+...earch

by Andy Sat Jun 27, 2009 00:28

In the Cork region posters have been appearing on and in the vicinity of Topaz garages stating things like "Dirty Money, Shell = Topaz, Don't be fooled" and other helpful comments. Could we see more of this around the country please? People need to be informed. Also has anyone done any hard research into the leadership of this company? It would be good to know. I think we need to understand the links in this nasty web we're fighting a bit better.

by Gda Ted Fri Nov 27, 2009 14:47

Topaz (Irish front for Shell) is sponsoring the Garda GAA team.

Nothing wrong with that, is there?

by brown envelope Mon Nov 30, 2009 15:14

Is a few jerseys all they are getting?

by Aoife - Student Fri Dec 04, 2009 00:04

Hi, Im doing a small thesis on Shell and its use of advertising/branding . Part of the thesis is taking a look at the issues in Co. Mayo. I want to look at how Shell have re-branded under topaz, does anyone have any links, where i can get evidence to prove that Shell are topaz?

by icon Fri Dec 04, 2009 00:30

The Topaz leaflet that illustrates this article is pretty clear. It shows that Topaz is a Shell licensee.
It might be an idea to ring up some of the numbers on it and ask them where they get their petrol from.

by Damien Sat Dec 05, 2009 02:23

No doubt you'll gloss over their heinous crimes in Nigeria, Canada etc. Hey all these ruthless corporationms will no doubt need marketing student types to help them greenwash. Cos it's all about 'the brand' innit..

by Bill Sat Dec 05, 2009 10:00

A suggestion from bill hicks:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gDW_Hj2K0wo

by Macushla - xxxxx Mon Nov 08, 2010 22:45

Have shared this on Facebook, but I cant see any option to Tweet it.. Am I missing something?

by Dave Derby - The Sovereign Independent Thu Mar 17, 2011 23:40 dave at derby dot ie

What a sneaky little trick that they thought we would never notice. Shell and Statoil rebranded as Topaz with its pretty colours and fresh logo.
The majority of sheep in this country may be swayed and deceived by this very clever marketing trick but there are thousands in Ireland who see through it like glass, The IMF have set their sites on our natural gas and oil many decades ago which will be handed to the global elites, which include Shell. But for as long as I have breath in my body I will not let our natural resources be signed over to them without a fight. Boycott Topaz now! Do all you can to wake the masses... print flyers, get on the radio, design sites.... blow their scam out of the water!

by Mary Sun Mar 20, 2011 20:33

Hey ive seen shell to sea stickers about town, there is an oil barrel on them, why is there not anything about Topaz on them, anyone know ?
Mary

by Laura Murphy - Topaz Thu Apr 28, 2011 16:24

Hi. I would like to clarify that Topaz is not a Shell licensee. Topaz is not a ‘front’ for Shell in Ireland. An entity in its own right, Topaz is a 100% Irish owned company. Boycotting Topaz stations has no impact on Shell business, but it would potentially impact the 1,400 people directly employed by Topaz as well as their families, the communities and charities that Topaz support. Thanks, Laura at Topaz.

by Ferdia - S2S Thu Apr 28, 2011 22:35

So, where have Shell and Statoil gone? Have they just left the Irish market to this new benevolent organisation called Topaz?

I think you'll find they're still paying you and your 1,399 fellow employees, just as they're still using the Garda and IRMS security to beat

the shit out of us here in Erris . But, what the hell, they made 8 Billion in the last 3 months, so you can sleep soundly tonight. Your little

jobeen is safe enough.

by opus diablos - the regressive hypocrite party Fri Apr 29, 2011 12:10

..I'd be inclined to find a TOPAZ tanker and put an S at the beginning and block out that AZ, which results in STOP.

then you can scrawl SHELL underneath.

by SAyed Fri Apr 29, 2011 12:17

Hi Laura,

Can you explain why it says Shell Licensee on the Topaz leaflet which illustrates this article?

Thanks

by Laura - Topaz Fri Apr 29, 2011 15:32

Hi Ferdia, SAyed and other interested parties. In 2005, Topaz Energy Ltd. bought the retail and commercial fuels business of Shell in Ireland, following that company's decision to disengage from its downstream activities in the Irish market. In 2006, Topaz purchased the Statoil business in Ireland. Topaz rebranded the complete network of previous Shell and Statoil sites in 2008 but between 2005 and 2008, Topaz Energy Ltd. were obliged (By Shell) to refer to the company as a Shell licensee. The brochure posted above is out-dated and from this time. We are no longer a Shell licensee. The 1,400 Topaz employees are not paid by Shell or Statoil, but by Topaz Energy Ltd., a 100% Irish owned and run business.

I have clarified categorically that Topaz Energy Ltd. are not associated in any way with the Corrib Oil Gas project, are not a 'front' for Shell and are not a Shell licensee.

Thanks,
Laura from Topaz

by Ferdia - S2S Fri Apr 29, 2011 16:59

Thank you for that clarification. Another question: Do Topaz drill for and refine their own fuel products, including placing them for sale on

their forecourts? This is a genuine enquiry, because I don't honestly know. If it's the case that they don't and that they merely sell the

products of other oil Companies, particularly Shell, then they're part of the problem, not the solution. It has always been my assumption

that much of the petrol in Topaz's pumps is supplied by Shell, who take their cut without the hassle of people turning up to vent their

anger at the treatment of Erris people and the Giveaway of our Natural Resourses. I'm totally open to correction on that, and I'm hoping

you'll stay with this thread for a while, because if your'e a troll you're at least quite a well-mannerred one. So the question is: whose fuel

products are Topaz selling, and what kind of cut is each side getting?

by Jherek Carnelian - Hawkwind Fri Apr 29, 2011 17:05

and we expect the Commercial Marketing Co-ordinator with Topaz to have all the answers.

by Porky - None Fri Apr 29, 2011 19:36

Can't figure why Laura felt the need to come on here, considering that this thread had become more inactive than the space between eamon Ryan's ears. But now that she has, i think she's opened a can of worms, because the question Ferdia is asking is a good one. I think we'd all like to know what the connection is, if any between shell and Topaz. If this lady is a co ordinator ro whatever. she should answer the question. I hope she has'nt gone to ground becase, to be fair, everyone has treated her wiyh respect so far, so seh has nothing to fear. But maybe she has something to hide.

by SAyed Mon May 02, 2011 11:57

There seems to be a very strong connection between Shell and Topaz, despite what Laura says. http://www.topazenergy.ie/en/news/TOPAZ-AND-SHELL-AVIAT...LAND/

Maybe she could explain why every other country in Europe has Shell stations except this one, and no other country has Topaz stations except Ireland.

It's not that Shell is using Topaz as a front in this country is it?