Shell 2 Sea Protest outside FF HQ

by Jan Palach Fri Nov 10, 2006 17:15

Well? If Labour get dragged in with Fianna Fail what guarantees have you got from the Leadership that he will rip up the contract with Shell???

Why isn't Pat Rabbitte campaigning on this issue? Why doesn't he get a guarantee from good old Enda that he feels the same way?

Or is this simply another case of LY and Labour Party diverging?

I'm flummoxed as to why anybody would join Labour Youth, genuinely I'd like someone to explain the attraction.

By the way props for remembering Ken Saro Wiwa.

by John Fri Nov 10, 2006 18:28

(1) If FF gave away 'our gas', a reference to changes in exploration terms made in the early 90s, then why didn't Labour change or even seek to change those terms when they were in government from 92 to 97? The fact is that they never even raised the matter either in their negotiations with FF on forming a coalition in 1992 or in their negotiations with FG on forming a coalition in 1994. It wasn't even an issue then and still isn't to most people. And why? Because it was recognised by all and sundry that prior to those changes the Irish oil/gas exploration industry was dead in the water and that the changes in exploration terms revived it. It was that revival that led directly to the Corrib discovery in 1997. This is still the view of all the major parties. (2) If 'our gas' is nationalised, pray tell me who is going to bring it ashore? Can you name one state-owned company that has even a fraction of the technological skills and expertise needed to bring it ashore.

by Miriam Cotton Fri Nov 10, 2006 19:19

Witht the Labour Party cosying up to Fianna Fail in other policy areas, it is very likely that the Old Fogey Labour Party people are using their gullible youth wing to attract votes from young people. Labour have no notion of insisting that FF reverse their give-away of Irish gas and other resources if the possibility of power sharing is really within their grasp.
These genuine young people are almost certainly being used by senior members of their own party.

by hum Fri Nov 10, 2006 19:33

Young Labour are out there and fair play.

I would not be suspicious of motivation, not would I translate everything so
Black and white. Solidarity is solidarity.

A campaigner for Synott who is allied to LPR need not be reading everything so black
and white now?

by supp Fri Nov 10, 2006 21:33

http://seamusryan.blogspot.com/2006/11/trouble-flares-a....html

Labour Party spokesperson on Communications Marine and Natural Resources Tommy Broughan TD will be meeting Mr. Andy Pyle, CEO of Shell Ireland next weekand. Tommy has also contacted the Norwegian Labour Prime Minister Jens Stoltenberg and urged the Norwegian Labour Party to renew their interest inthe resolution of this matter given the majority state ownership of Statoil. Lets all hope that these efforts will be succesful.

Sargent met them last week after visiting Mayo also, here is his report
http://www.greenparty.ie/en/news/latest_news/sargent_ap...naboy
"I have suggested that the five TDs for the area ought to act collectively to mediate between the holders of opposing and, it must be said, fairly entrenched, viewpoints. A number of the TDs for Mayo see merit in this proposal.

"I support the suggestion that a former Norwegian Minister for Energy be asked to mediate in the dispute. And I also support the establishment of a commission with a remit to resolve the problem.

"I repeat my call for Minister Dempsey to visit Rossport and Bellanaboy and inform himself about the seriousness of the dispute and the reality of the problem that he urgently needs to address."

TB statement
http://www.tommybroughan.com/content.php?page=press_con...d=462
Dail Q&A
http://debates.oireachtas.ie/DDebate.aspx?F=DAL20061109...2#H12

by ANON Fri Nov 10, 2006 22:23

Why did LY feel the need to split the lunch time protest without any contact with shell to sea?
I'm deeply suspecious that many people in the photos I've never seen at other pickets.
Is it the way that you will only support your party organised events?
I'm not saying that ye don't have the right to organise outside the Shell 2 Sea group, of course ye do, however,
I'm suspecious of the motivation.
Ye should demand your glorious leaders support for Shell 2 Sea, or state in no uncertin terms that he WILL be leading a divided party into the next election,
or are ye looking out for the careerists amoung ye. Stand up and do that ye should have done the second he spouted those racist comments.

by supp Fri Nov 10, 2006 22:23

http://www.westernpeople.ie/news/story.asp?j=33824

by Red Wedge Sat Nov 11, 2006 16:47

Anon is annoyed that he cant recognoise folk at the LY protest. What sort of insular activist mentality is going on there?
So there was two protests. Thats a good thing. The more fronts that can be opened the better.
LY did opposse Rabbittes immigartion nonsense.

by DM - Labour Youth Sun Nov 12, 2006 11:52

Pat hasn't been involved in this. I and the rest of LY won't defend him for not, we have major problems with the man.

However Tommy Broughan (my local TD) has been. He was one of the TD's trying to organise an independant saftey report for Rossport (that got shot down by Shell and the Government). He's been down to Rossport recently and is probably the most senior politicain who has gotten involved on the community's behalf.

LY's campaigning for Rossport has been extremly active. We were heavily involved in the blockades of shell stations, protests, occupations (at least one member of our National Executive was in Shell HQ) and other forms of solidarity (including of course going down there!).

As for the suggestion that the "old foggy" part of Labour is somehow controling us, to try and get the party seen in these events! We are entirely independant of the Leadership or any other part of the party. We make our own democratic decisions and campaign independantly.