Shell propaganda is unacceptable

Wednesday, May 05, 2010

Sir, As an observer of the ongoing Corrib gas controversy from the relatively safe distance of some fifteen kilometres or so (as the crows flies), I have been bombarded by Shell's propaganda for many months now, and recently-in an unmarked envelope – the latest piece entitled ‘Community Update: March 2010’

Despite An Bord Pleanala recently declaring the project unsafe, the leaflet tries to gloss over the potential danger to local residents. the latest plan seems to be to tunnel the gas pipe under Rossport strand close to the National School in Pollathomas, even though this route had already been ruled by Shell and their consultants.

Apart from the madness of such a plan the thing I found most worrying about the leaflet was the "feedback form" which people are expected to fill out with their opinions and personal details, send back to Shell, and no doubt this be used as a statistic in future promotional propaganda.

I think it is most unacceptacle that Shell should try and use people in this way. Seeking opinions on the Corrib project from those who live outside the danger zone is simply dishonest. I don’t have the right to dictate what happens to the people of Kilcommon Parish, and Shell certainly don’t have the right to ask anyone but those residents that would be affected by an accident.

Yours sincerely

Tony Henry
Shraigh
Belmullet