[3rd May 2007]
MOMENTS of humour have been rare at the high-octane Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) hearing into the issuing of an Integrated Pollution Prevention Control licence for the Corrib gas project. So when Shell witness Dr David Phillips, an expert in marine pollution control, broke the tension, the brief relief rippled through the room like a mini-tornado. Shell to Sea’s John Monaghan was cross-examining three scientists, and intimating that despite their declared objectivity, they clearly enjoyed ‘a cosy, even incestuous, relationship’ with the giant company. “Well, we haven’t had sex yet,” retorted Dr Philips drily.