After 55 days, enough is enough

national | rights, freedoms and repression | press release Monday August 22, 2005 13:24 by elaine - labour

If Shell are committed to facilitating this process of public dialogue and consultation then this process must be accompanied by an immediate collapsing of the injunction against the Rossport 5, argues Tommy Broughan TD.

Today is the 55th day that the Rossport Five have spent in prison. Unfortunately it is looking increasingly likely that this dispute will drag on until the Dail resumes in the Autumn.

Shell recently halted work on the pipeline and announced that they are to begin a new phase of public dialogue. For this process to have any genuine meaning it must be accompanied by an immediate collapsing of the injunction against the five imprisoned men.

During my last visit with the men I found them bearing up well, although obviously very anxious to be back with their families. They were heartened by the solidarity that has been shown from all around Ireland and the wider world for their protest.

The Rossport protestors have achieved much, albeit through the ordeal of spending 55 days in prison. They have brought to light serious health and safety concerns surrounding the Corrib pipeline development. They have focused public attention on government management of a key new national energy source.

In the broader context they have also highlighted the seriously flawed ownership, royalties and tax regime currently in place for Ireland’s natural resources, in a manner that is unprecedented in the Irish media over the last 20 years.

55 days is too long for any Irish citizens to have to spend in prison because of serious fears for the long-term health and safety of their families and community. Enough is enough. This process has to move forward, and this can only happen with the Rossport Five out of prison.

If Shell are committed to facilitating this process of public dialogue and consultation then they must collapse this inappropriate injunction. They should do this immediately