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March 2011

Campaigners urge action on environment treaty

By: 
Frank McDonald - Irish Times

COMMUNITY-BASED campaign groups have called on the Government to ratify a United Nations convention on public access to information, participation and justice in environmental decision-making.

Ireland is one of the few countries in Europe that has not yet ratified the Aarhus convention, which was adopted in 1998. Former minister for the environment John Gormley pledged to do so, but left office before he could fulfil the promise.

Posted Date: 
28 March 2011
Link: 

http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/ireland/2011/0328/1224293222211.html

Green light for Corrib Gas Pipeline

By: 
Belfast Telegraph

The new Government has been accused of having only a different name than its predecessor as it gave Shell Ireland the final green light for the controversial Corrib Gas Pipeline.

Environment Minister Phil Hogan granted a foreshore licence for the construction of the final 8km high-pressure gas pipeline linking the Corrib oil field off the Mayo coastline to a refinery at Bellanaboy.

Posted Date: 
28 March 2011
Link: 

http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/local-national/republic-of-irelan...

Oil firms showcase giving ahead of Nigeria poll, but many blame them for environmental damage

By: 
Jon Gambrell - Associated Press

PORT HARCOURT, Nigeria — Posters show smiling students posing after receiving university scholarships. New roads appear on formerly potholed mud tracts. Millions of dollars are promised to improve the lives of the desperate poor.

Posted Date: 
28 March 2011
Link: 

http://www.therepublic.com/view/story/c964abc711a846df8aabda98a854ebd3/A...

Hogan grants Shell foreshore licence

By: 
Lorna Siggins - Irish Times

ONE OF the last outstanding consent applications for the Corrib gas project was completed yesterday when Minister for the Environment Phil Hogan granted a foreshore licence to Shell EP Ireland.

The foreshore licence, which is subject to conditions, allows the lead developer to construct the final 8km section of pipeline linking the gas field to the terminal built inland at Ballinaboy.

Posted Date: 
27 March 2011
Link: 

http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/ireland/2011/0326/1224293137604.html

Corrib foreshore licence approved

By: 
Lorna Siggins - Irish Times

Minister for the Environment Phil Hogan has granted a foreshore licence to Shell E&P Ireland as one of its last outstanding consents for the Corrib gas project.

The license, which is subject to conditions, allows the lead developer to construct the final 8km section of high pressure gas pipeline linking the Corrib field off the Mayo coastline to the terminal built inland at Ballinaboy.

Planning approval has already been granted for the pipeline by An Bord Pleanála, and consents under the Gas and Petroleum Acts were issued by former acting energy minister Pat Carey on the day of the general election.

An Taisce has sought a judicial review of the Bord Pleanála decision, which is before the High Court next Tuesday (tues 29th).

An Taisce’s chairman Charles Stanley-Smith has said that the organisation is “unhappy that such a decision has been made before the judicial review process is completed”, but Mr Hogan’s approval “does not affect the case”.

Posted Date: 
25 March 2011
Link: 

http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/breaking/2011/0325/breaking32.html

Shell to Sea highlights human rights abuses to UN

News Release: Issued by Shell to Sea - 25th March 2011

This week Shell to Sea sent in its submission to the United Nations Universal Periodic Review, which is due to review Ireland's human rights record in October 2011.

In its submission Shell to Sea highlighted some of the human rights abuses that have been inflicted on campaigners over the 11 years of opposition to Shell's inland refinery[1].

And then there were none: can Greens rise from ashes?

By: 
Harry McGee - Irish Times

ANALYSIS: Party members meet this weekend to discuss its direction, but with no TDs will it remain a political force?

TREVOR SARGENT likens the Green Party going into government in 2007 to the plot of Saving Private Ryan. 

“Except that our mission was to save the children of the country. We had to go in. We could not wait any longer. Future generations needed their interest put first.”

Posted Date: 
25 March 2011
Link: 

http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/opinion/2011/0325/1224293044453.html

Opposition TDs demand reversal of Corrib Gas pipeline consents

By: 
Mayo Advertiser

Up to 20 opposition TDs attended a Dublin Shell to Sea photo-call and press conference on Tuesday at the Kildare Street gates of Leinster House.

The TDs were supporting Shell to Sea’s call for the Fine Gael/Labour coalition government and new Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources Pat Rabbitte to overturn the consents granted by former minister Pat Carey to Shell E&P Ireland on the day of the recent general election.

Posted Date: 
25 March 2011
Link: 

http://www.advertiser.ie/mayo/article/38146/opposition-tds-demand-revers...

Reaction to Moriarty tribunal report

By: 
Seamus O Meagair - Letter to Irish Times

Madam, – Micheál Martin asserted that the Esat contract was “the most lucrative ever awarded by the State”.

I would suggest that the contract with Shell in Co Mayo is far more lucrative for Shell, and far less beneficial to Ireland. – Yours, etc,

SEAMUS O’MEAGAIR,

Belview Road,

Mullingar,

Co Westmeath.

Posted Date: 
25 March 2011
Link: 

http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/letters/2011/0325/1224293044726.html

Dublin Shell to Sea slams Pat Rabbitte's refusal to revoke Shell consents

Dublin Shell to Sea spokesperson Caoimhe Kerins has slammed Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources Pat Rabbitte’s refusal to revoke the consents, granted by previous minister Pat Carey to Shell E&P Ireland, for the onshore section of Corrib gas pipeline.

The consents were granted in controversial circumstances on the day of the recent general election, despite High Court proceedings being initiated by An Taisce and Erris residents against last January's An Bord Pleanála decision to grant permission for the onshore section of the Corrib gas pipeline.