TDs vow to seek renegotiation of Corrib gas contract
31/08/2005 - 15:23:44
A group of TDs including Socialist Party deputy Joe Higgins has vowed to pressure the Government to renegotiate the contract governing the Corrib gas project in Co Mayo.
Mr Higgins and six independent TDs made the pledge after a prison visit to the five local men jailed for obstructing work on a pipeline being built as part of the scheme.
The men, who have been in prison for nine weeks, believe the structure poses an unacceptable risk to the health of the local community.
They have also criticised the contract the Government signed with the global oil giant Shell, which is developing the scheme.
Under the contract, the Government receives no royalties from the gas in the Corrib field.
Speaking after today’s meeting, Mr Higgins accused the Government of giving away Ireland’s natural resources and said he and his colleagues would be demanding a renegotiation of the deal when the Dail resumes in the coming weeks.
