Peat Haulage Begins At Bellenaboy Terminal – Activists Prepare To Protest
In a sharp escalation of construction activity, Shell has commenced peat haulage from the controversial Bellenaboy terminal in Co. Mayo, in an attempt to fast-track work on their proposed gas pipeline. The project, if completed with its current financial arrangements in place, will see Shell gain a hold of and estimated €50 billion worth of Irish natural gas.
The haulage, which began on Monday 2nd April, has been met with condemnation from the various groupings protesting against the project, with local Shell to Sea spokesperson John Monaghan stating that the work will be ‘vigorously opposed’.
The removal of peat from the Bellenaboy site is crucial to Shell pushing their project through as it will allow a platform for the construction of a terminal on the site, followed by the construction of a gas pipeline. The operation will consist of the transfer of 350,000 tonnes of peat which Shell claim will be completed by October 2007. At this point construction of the onshore gas processing plant will begin.
A familiar pattern of collaboration between Shell and the Government has begun to emerge in light of this most recent escalation. Similar to the recommencement of work on the proposed terminal site in October of last year, Shell have now begun this phase of work without communicating or negotiating in any meaningful manner with community representatives. The conglomerate simply issued a 72 hour notice that haulage work would begin. This was followed by the Government rowing in behind Shells decision, by saturating the area with over a hundred Gardaí. Again this mirrors the pattern established in early October.
The collaboration between the Government and Shell can best be explained by a comment by Minister for Natural Resources, Noel Dempsey when he emphasized ‘this state must retain the confidence of its people in its competence to deal with any international company that operates in this jurisdiction’
Commenting on the start of peat haulage Éirígí spokesperson Brian Leeson stated ‘Once again, Shell, and its partners in government, have attempted to railroad through a further section of this project against the wishes of local people and against the interest of the people of Ireland. Shell cannot be allowed to by-pass community consent, and the government cannot be allowed to facilitate the wholesale theft of Ireland’s natural resources.’
‘Éirígí will be stepping up our natural resources campaign in response to this latest manoeuvre by Shell and I would encourage those who believe that Irelands natural resources should belong to the people of Ireland, to support us. I would also call on republicans, socialists and all left-wing activists in Ireland to participate in any demonstrations at the Bellenaboy terminal. A combination of pressure on both Shell and the Government can force the twin objectives, of a renegotiation of the natural resources deal and an agreed extraction method, to be realised’