Sinn Féin await Shell Deputation to County Council
Published: 12 June, 2006
Sinn Féin Cllr Pearse Doherty has said his party are looking forward to getting the opportunity to quiz the Shell conglomerate when they address Donegal County Council.
Cllr Doherty was speaking after Donegal County Council agreed to a request by Shell to address the County Council.
Cllr Doherty said:
"I find it quite amazing that this request by Shell has been accepted so readily especially given the decision by the County Council to refuse to hear my motion last July calling for the suspension of exploration licences off the Donegal Coast, Licences that were subsequently granted to Shell.
"Despite this dual standard, I look forward to getting the chance to question Shell on their intentions and my party will clearly point out to them that the people of Donegal will not be cowed by the bullyboy tactics they employed in Rossport.
"I also feel this will be the ideal time for the people of Donegal to have their concerns addressed by their representatives who sit in council. Sinn Féin have been pointing out for years that potentially billions of euros have and continue to be handed out to the multinationals by this government and the current legislation on exploration licences amounts to nothing more than a blank cheque to these companies who exploit our natural resources.
"Sinn Féin are opposed to the giveaway of natural resources and we intend to state this position clearly to Shell when they arrive in the Council. The onus is on the other elected representatives in Council to oppose any further giveaway of our coast. I will also be encouraging the Council not to facilitate Shell exploration while they continue with their appalling approach to the Rossport issue.
"On a recent visit to Donegal, Vincent McGrath, one of the Rossport 5, and I had the opportunity to discuss off shore exploration off the coast of Donegal. He outlined the scenario in Rossport and clearly felt Donegal could become the next Shell victim if they are not halted in their tracks. Sinn Fein look forward to the deputation and intend to make party policy and opposition to their plans abundantly clear.
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