In the next few weeks, more than likely An Bord Pleanála will be announcing their decision on whether to grant permission to Shell to build the onshore section of the Corrib Gas pipeline. Below is a review of the reopened oral hearing that ran from the 24th of August until the 1st of October in 2010 in Belmullet. Again (this is the fourth convening of an oral hearing), opponents of the Corrib Gas Project made lengthy and comprehensive submissions on why they are opposed to the project. A fair few of these submissions can be read in full here: http://www.shelltosea.com/content/submissions-bord-pleanala

Indymedia Links:
Public Meeting, 'Rossport, the Gaspipe & the People' | Shell's Team of Experts and Executives Blocked by Protest | Shell to Sea Issues Compulsory Acquisition Order on Shell Office in Belmullet | Stealth Planning further exposed at Shell Oral Hearing | Community action stops Shell's drilling | A week of Hell for Shell | No To Foreshore Licence In Mayo | Shell due to start work next week | Merthyr to Mayo cyclists at Castlerea | Corrib Pipeline - A rough guide to the Oral Hearing | An Bord Pleanála Grants Planning Permission for Onshore Pipeline in Mayo | Shell Begins Onshore Pipeline Works Without Planning Permission. | Shell public notice re Corrib | Shell's Illegal Works: While the Work Continues, So will the Resistance! | RTE ban Rossport fundraiser ad
Other Links:
Trailer for film"The Pipe"
Wikipedia Links:
Corrib gas controversy | Shell oil company

Around the world countries have been betrayed by their politicians who have worked hand in glove with their capitalist partners to systematically destory each economy and then to hand them over to a private financial elite composed of bankers, investors and speculators and other parasites.

From Iceland to Lativa to Greece to Ireland the Financial Coup has taken place. It has already long ago taken place in such countries as the USA where big capital and big finance captured their governments long ago where corporations like Goldman Sachs have their own people in government dictating the bailouts. But many other countries are on the list. The austerity which the capitalists smile down on, have already hit most of Europe especially in countries like Spain, Portugal, Hungary and the UK.

The current crisis is the cumlination of a fairly long process starting in the late 1970s when the leading capitalist powers decided to go on the offensive and launched the Neo Liberal era which saw an claw back against all the rights gained by workers in the previous 70 years. At that time they also lent huge quantities of money to corrupt governments in the developing world and this ushered in the era of mega slums and third world debt bringing in the era of financial imperalism allowing the resources of these countries to be hauled away for almost free. continues below

Upwards of 25,000 students from across Ireland descended onto the streets of Dublin on Wednesday 3rd November, 2,000 students broke off and occupied the Department of Finance, here are 2 interviews with students present.

Indymedia Links:
Students Occupy Department of Finance | Video: Police attack Student demo in Dublin | Irish Media is an accomplice of Police Brutality | The Role of the Gardai
Déjà vu from Mayo::
MarShell Law at Bellanboy | Reclaiming the Streets: Garda Review on the Ballinaboy Protests | Pat & Jonathan O'Donnell Arrested and Boats Commandeered by Gardai As Solitaire's Arrival Imminent | Shell Corrib Gas - Who are the real Thugs & Bullies?
Déjà vu from 2004::
Fortress Dublin?
Déjà vu from 2002::
VIDEO - Reclaim The Streets - Police Riots - Street Party | Reclaim the Streets Media Beat-up begins | Police Violence Caught on Film
Terence Wheelock case:
No Justice for Wheelock family
Other Links:
UK police kill one individual every week | FEE (Free Education for Everyone) official website
Wikipedia Links:
Gards Siochana | Gards Emergency response unit | Garda Special detective unit

Rain falls on the snow. The Contagion has taken hold. Ghosts from the old Dead Republic are emerging everywhere as the day of judgement approaches.

On Black Tuesday a guilt ridden political functionary runs from his job burying bodies in the city. He is tortured by voices of reproach as he journeys towards home. He recounts the history of his dealings with Fingers - a boss 'who made the old boss look like Mother Teresa'.

Meanwhile, back in the city, amid the spiraling negativity, Fingers and his acolytes lay the foundations for a new Easter Rising.

Attacks on working people are mounting right across Europe. The so-called PIGS (Portugal, Ireland & Italy, Greece, Spain) countries have been to the forefront of these attacks. In Ireland, we have seen €7 billion of cutbacks, seriously damaging public services, including health and education. In Greece, there has been a 10% cut in wages and spending in the public sector, together with an increased retirement age, VAT increases and the freezing of pensions. Portugal has a plan to cut its deficit by €11bn over four years through a crisis tax on wages and cutbacks in public services. The Spanish Parliament has passed cutbacks worth €15bn on top of €50bn already agreed. Italy is due to implement "emergency-cutbacks" of €24 bn.

Related Links: Europe-Wide Week of Protest and Solidarity (Dublin)
European Days of Solidarity and Protest
http://www.joehiggins.eu/2010/05/report-from-guengl-meeting-european-days-of-solidarity-and-protest/
The initial letter (pdf file)
EU-Protest-Leaflet (pdf file)
March on June 26th as part of European Week of Protest & Solidarity