Corrib Gas to be raised on Cork City Council

national | anti-capitalism | press release

Saturday July 11, 2009 10:43

by Workers Party (Cork) - Workers' Party

tedtynan at gmail dot com

(086) 1908281

Motion from Workers Party councillor Ted Tynan

A motion calling for an inquiry into the Corrib Gas Project has been put down by Councillor Ted Tynan and is on the agenda for next Monday night's meeting of Cork City Council (13.07.09).

Councillor Ted Tynan (WP)

Councillor Tynan has tabled the motion in an attempt to widen the debate on the ongoing situation in North Mayo where the Shell corporation, with the full support of the government, is constructing a gas refinery and high pressure pipeline in the Erris Peninsula despite widespread local opposition and concern about the safety of the project.

Cllr. Tynan said that although North Mayo is a long distance from Cork City the situation at Erris is a national issue as is the scandalous deal which denies State billions of Euro of vital revenue at a time when the economy is in crisis.

The full text of Councillor Tynan's motion is as follows:-

NOTICE OF MOTION TO CORK CITY COUNCIL

“That this council express concern at the ongoing harassment of the small community of the Erris Peninsula in North Co. Mayo and the seemingly inexhaustible expenditure of state resources to further the aims of the Shell Oil Company and its associates in forcing a high-pressure pipeline and onshore gas refinery on the local people.

In particular this council is alarmed at some of the tactics being used to prevent dissent from the local community, ranging to manhandling and beating of protestors to the imposition of a curfew on the tiny village of Glengad and requiring villagers and visitors to the village to apply for permits to go about their normal daily business and visit their homes and neighbours, bringing about a situation which borders on a state of martial law.

This council is also seriously concerned at the involvement and activities of private contractors working as security on behalf of Shell. The recent allegations concerning one contractor and the fact that two of its former staff members who had worked in Erris were killed in Bolivia recently and have been accused by the Bolivian authorities of involvement in an attempted Coup D’etat need to be investigated independently within this country. Council further questions the motive behind, and the legality of the granting to Shell the use of a Compulsory Purchase Order, to acquire the lands off residents who are on the route of the proposed pipeline – the only private sector development in the history of the state to be granted such powers.

We also deplore the fact that Shell are illegally proceeding with the laying of the pipeline despite the fact that it is still the subject of appeal to An Bord Pleanála and we call upon the Minister for the Environment to instruct Shell to desist immediately from further work on this pipeline.

This council believes that the Corrib Gas Project has been a bad deal for Ireland. One of our most precious resources – a major offshore gas deposit – has been literally given away for nothing to Shell and its associated companies. Ireland’s oil and gas deposits have been estimated by our own government as being worth in the region of €540 billion. This would be a huge benefit to this country and would reverse the current economic decline overnight. Instead of utilizing this resource on behalf of the Irish people and investing in hospitals, schools and other essential services, the state has practically given this resource away for free, giving Shell and other multinationals a deal which they can get in no other country. Ireland receives no royalties whatsoever from Shell for our gas, the state has no stake in the venture and at 25%, the corporate tax charged to Shell is one of the lowest in the world. Contrast this with Norway where the state owns the exploration company (Statoil) and charges 78% corporate tax; or even Nigeria which charges 30% tax, has a 55% share in the enterprise and charges 8% royalties. On top of this the Irish taxpayers are paying for a massive policing regime to force the pipeline and gas refinery, over which many safety questions have been raised, onto a community that is genuinely afraid of this project.

This council believes it is time for a total re-examination, not only of this project, but of the overall relationship between this country and the multinational corporations involved in exploration and processing of gas, oil and other resources”

Cllr. Ted Tynan

-------------------------
The motion is on the agenda for next Monday's public meeting of Cork City Council which starts at 5.30pm in City Hall.

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Comments (11 of 11)

A few more questions

by old codger - pensioner

Sat Jul 11, 2009 11:53

In the event of an accident what is the maximum compensation Shell will pay?

What will the minister do if Shell decide to sell the gas elswhere because they can make a better profit by not paying tax?

In view of the violent actions of both the Gardai and IRMS merceneries who will be responsible if people are killed while peacefully protesting?

Will the government or the taxpayer be liable for compensation ?

WHAT IS THE LAW ON PROTECTING PRIVATE LAND AGAINST VIOLENT TRESSPASSERS?

WHY IS A PRIVATE SECURITY COMPANY ALLOWED TO RECRUIT MERCENARY SOLDIERS WITHOUT ANY STATE VETTING OF CRIMINAL BACKGROUNDS?

Contrary to spin this was not a resource giveaway, it is a massive case of bribery and also an act of treason initially conducted by Rafael Burke and Bertie Aherne, and continued by Many more politicians and civil servants.
More than one party has been bribed
There are numerous ways to give bribes , multinational companies are experts at it.
TOPAZ are SHell in disguise and are sponsoring Garda GAA teams.
We thank the people of Cork for your concern and help. Hopefully the rest of the country might wake up and realise that they are being subjected to the biggest scam ever pulled by Fianna Fail.

Undermining the United Nations Aarhus Convention Agreement

by Medb

Sat Jul 11, 2009 13:22

This looks like a very sensible, brave and healthy move to me (by Councillor Ted Tynan).

There is absolutely no doubt whatsoever in my mind that what's happening in North May, regarding all the government bullying connected with the Shell Oil giveaway, is most definitely the business of every man, woman and child in the Republic of Ireland (including Cork of course).

But where are the hearts, eyes, ears, tongues, and writing pens of all the rest of our "public servant elected representatives"? My hope is that Councillor Tynan's actions will now inspire lots of others in his kind of position to make similar moves.

Also, I would like to take this opportunity to state that I've long believed that all (or almost all) of the extremely serious problems mentioned in Councillor Tynan's NOTICE OF MOTION TO CORK CITY COUNCIL are a direct consequence of the way the Republic of Ireland Government (Executive, Legislative, and Judicial) is continuing -- in a manner which appears to show complete contempt for the tripartite separation of powers principle embedded in Bunreacht na hEireann (Constitution of the Republic of Ireland) -- to keep on arrogantly undermining the international United Nations Aarhus Convention Agreement which it signed in 1998.

Undermining the United Nations Aarhus Convention Agreement (Republic of Ireland):
http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=Undermining+the+Un...&aqi=

Undermining International Agreements and International Law:
http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=Undermining+Intern...&aqi=

Tripartite Separation of Powers (designed to prevent Government Bullying), Bunreacht na hEireann:
http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=Tripartite+Separat...&aqi=

Medb (Queen of Connacht):
http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=Medb+%28Queen+of+C...&aqi=

Village

by BB

Sat Jul 11, 2009 13:31

Three articles in this month's edition of Village about Shell in Mayo - editorial calling for media honesty about it, interview with Pat O' Donnell and article about the oral hearing that took place in Belmullet recently.

"Rebel Cork - the first place ignited by the Latino revolutionary spark???

by Dunk

Sat Jul 11, 2009 16:55

If Ireland is to follow the camino led by bolivia, venezuala and more... That being nationalizing or re-taking over of natural resources.. and possibly further toward "revolution" - wouldent it be nice to have the REBEL city of Cork lead the way...

Thats a dream, but already some Latino connections there:

Muralismo @ the Peoples Republic of Cork, Boy!
http://itsafunnyoldworld.wordpress.com/2008/10/11/mural...ismo/
+ http://www.indymedia.ie/article/70860

Related precedents, Bolivia: What’s happening in Bolivia?
http://www.indymedia.ie/article/90029

Is the West Awakening?

Hope so, good luck

Dunk

good man

by Chrissie

Sat Jul 11, 2009 21:29

Maybe he can stir a few consciences that know well what the State & Shell are doing in Mayo is wrong, & a threat to everyone's freedom & safety - if they can get away with that, they can carry on getting away with piracy, robbery, & assault.

meeting is public

by Sean

Mon Jul 13, 2009 09:47

Tonight's Cork City Council is open to the public (starts at 5.30pm). A Shell to Sea protest might be worthwhile.

Also note that Shell to Sea are holding a public meeting in Cork this Wednesday night, 15th July at 8pm in the Victoria Hotel. Speakers from the Rossport 5 and the Rossport Solidarity Camp are due to attend.

Be At The Council Meeting Tonight.

by Margaret O'Regan. - SWP

Mon Jul 13, 2009 14:05

I will be attending this meeting.

I think it is important to note who exactly votes in favour of Ted Tynan's motion. They will be required to stand up and be counted in the future as further oil and gas reserves are found. Some oil/gas fields are close to home, i.e. off the coasts of Clare and Kerry so far.

If the resources of Ireland were used for the benefit of the people living in Ireland, the national debt would be paid off, and the health, education and pension requirements of all the people in Ireland would be taken care of.

Ted Tynan is a shining beacon on Cork City Council, and as a constituent in Cork South Central, I will take careful note of those who vote in favour of this motion. This will certainly influence my future votes - local, national and european.

Great idea

by Well Wisher

Mon Jul 13, 2009 18:32

"I think it is important to note who exactly votes in favour of Ted Tynan's motion." -- by Margaret O'Regan at Mon Jul 13, 2009 14:05

I think your ideas are really good Margaret, and that we need more, much more, of this kind of action nationwide.

At what is an extremely worrying time for the finances of our nation overall, there are (as you say) so many necessary and useful things that the money from our oil and reserves could be used for, and desperately needs to be used for now in fact.

It seems almost beyond belief that so many of our "public servants" (so called) are still so complacent about our "Great Oil & Gas Giveaway". They're all back on their lazy and cowardly "there's nothing we can do" mantra it seems, when in reality there's plenty they could do: as Ted Tynan is very ably and competently demonstrating to everybody.

It's time for the public (all over the Republic of Ireland) to now try and identify the "who's who" and the "what's what" of it all in the "public servant" arena: before people like Queen Beatrix of Holland (or whatever her name is) pockets all the benefits of our oil and gas reserves, and makes off with them all.

Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands

by Seamuseen

Mon Jul 13, 2009 22:19

Royal Dutch Shell Plc board members Jeroen van der Veer and Jorma Ollila, and Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands, are all long term major shareholders in Royal Dutch Shell it appears, and they are also all members of the very secretive and extremely influential Bilderberg Group as well apparently -- which was founded in 1954 by Queen Beatrix's father, Prince Bernhard of the Netherlands.

For more on this aspect of the "Shell To Sea" story please see at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beatrix_of_the_Netherlands

Information on the Bilderberg Group can be found at: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bilderberg_Group

Motion narrowly defeated

by John Jefferies - Workers Party

Mon Jul 13, 2009 22:56

Tonight's motion was defeated by just a single vote (10 votes For - 11 Against). Cllr. Tynan's motion was seconded by Cllr. Mick Barry (SP) and supported by the four SF councillors, Cllr. Chris O'Leary (Ind), Cllr. Catherine Clancy (Lab) and I'm not too certain as it was difficult to follow the roll call vote but I think there was one or two more from Labour and perhaps one more independent councillors supporting. Will put up full voting record when it is available. It should be noted that the main opposition was coming from Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael councillors with particular objections from Cllrs Terry Shannon and Sean Martin. It could have been passed had two or more Labour councillors not left before the vote was called.

FF/FG

by Billy idle

Tue Jul 14, 2009 12:48

Just goes to show that FG offer nothing but the same failed policies of FF. They should quit trying to fool the electorate and simply merge.

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Corrib Gas to be raised on Cork City Council

Comments (11 of 11)