TD calls on Dempsey to resign over pipeline talks

Independent Mayo TD Dr Jerry Cowley has called on Minister for the Marine Noel Dempsey to resign over alleged interference in the mediation process in the Corrib gas onshore pipeline dispute.

Speaking in the Dáil this afternoon, Dr Cowley said the Minister had "scuppered" the role of the mediator in the dispute and had "misled the Dáil" about the process.

Earlier this month, the five Mayo men jailed over their opposition to the pipeline suspended involvement in mediation talks, chaired by former Ictu secretary-general Peter Cassells, because of what they claimed was "continued and direct interference in the mediation process by Minister Noel Dempsey".

The men suspended their participation in the talks after a series of comments by Mr Dempsey in which he said he had "never" intended mediation to be confined to the two parties only.

Speaking to ireland.com today, Dr Cowley said Mr Dempsey "seemed to be the only party who was holding back the process". He said Shell had not changed their position but had engaged with the process.

The five men - Willie Corduff, Philip and Vincent McGrath, Brendan Philbin and Mícheál Ó Seighin - are concerned Mr Dempsey has been seeking briefings from Mr Cassells, and that his role as mediator now appears to have been extended.

In his Dáil response to Mr Cowley this afternoon, Mr Dempsey said he would not be bullied or intimidated "like your friends intimidated people in Mayo".

Earlier today, five Independent TDs called on Mr Dempsey to "cease interfering with, and redefining" the mediation agreed by Shell and the five men from Rossport

The five TDs - Tony Gregory (Dublin Central), Finian McGrath (Dublin North-Central), Catherine Murphy (Kildare North), Joe Higgins (Dublin West) and Dr Cowley - also called for a restoration of mediation between Shell E&P Ireland and the five men.