Western People (Ireland): Gloves to come off as Shell take on objectors: “The gloves are about to come off as Shell prepares to take on local objectors in the battle for the Bellanaboy refinery. The giant international corporation will resort to the courts to overcome a small group of objectors.” (ShellNews.net) 9 March 05

By Christy Loftus
Wednesday, March 09, 2005

The gloves are about to come off as Shell prepares to take on local objectors in the battle for the Bellanaboy refinery. The giant international corporation will resort to the courts to overcome a small group of objectors.

Last week the company was forced to withdraw as they sought to undertake routine preparatory work along the route of the gas pipeline from the landfall to Bellanaboy.
The nine km pipeline passes close to a number of residences in the Rossport area and seven people (of 35 landowners), who have declined to make access agreements with the company, have raised concerns about the safety of the project.

Shell will invest up to €900 million in the development of the Corrib gas find. €280 million will go towards the Bellanaboy refinery. When construction work is at its peak there will be up to 600 people employed on the project which will create fifty full time long term jobs. The company has secured all planning permissions and EPA licences governing the project and claims to have all necessary way leaves and legal entitlements for the laying of the pipeline which will be 1.2m under ground level.

Mr Paul McSharry, a spokesman for Shell, said yesterday (Mon) it very much regretted that it was left with no option but to commence legal proceedings. He pointed out that on two previous occasions contractors engaged by the company had been unable to gain access to lands along the route. “We have made numerous efforts to reach agreements with this small number of landowners but regrettably they remain opposed to the pipeline.  “We have all the authorisations necessary to carry out preparatory work, which has already commenced on land where access arrangements have been agreed,” he said. Mr McSharry added that despite the Ministerial Order authorising Shell to carry out this essential work, some landowners and objectors continue to obstruct the work. “The company has now no option but to commence legal action,” he said.

Mr Micheál O Sheighin, one of those who have opposed Shell all through the process, said local people were growing more and more concerned about the danger of a gas pipeline explosion. “Gas pipeline explosions happen. They are reasonably regular occurrences and they are devastating in their consequences. For the safety of the people of the area, the refinery should be located out to sea,” he said.

Another objector, Mr Vincent McGrath made it clear they were not opposed to the delivery of the gas. “We are not Luddites. We are not against the gas. We are for safety. “We don’t think it unreasonable that Shell or the government should be asked to guarantee our safety. Any government with an interest in its people should be able to do that,” he said.

http://www.westernpeople.ie/news/story.asp?j=24169