Madam, - May I commend Fintan O'Toole's exposure of what I would call the Great Corrib Gas Robbery?
The lack of public outrage in spite of the enormous finance and energy issues involved is surprising. This is equally true of the environmental issues raised by Royal Dutch Shell's intention to re-submit a planning application, previously rejected, for a huge treatment plant on the same highly scenic site. This time they propose moving the bog!
The people of the area are all too aware of the dangers posed by moving bogs following the trauma of recent landslides. But the wider public does not share this concern.
Perhaps this is all to do with location. Perhaps the headline "Massive Gas Terminal for Sally Gap" would provoke a quicker response and action by those of power and influence. However, the unfortunate people of this equally beautiful and unspoilt area of North Mayo are asked to sacrifice their pristine environment and the future of their tourist and fishing industries for a handful of jobs and the economic well-being of a multinational oil company.
If the Government insists on permitting Royal Dutch Shell to sell us back our gas at full market price, pocketing massive profits, it should at least insist that they do their dirty processing work off-shore or at a suitable existing industrial site. - Yours, etc.,
BERNARD GRIMES, Lindsay Road, Glasnevin, Dublin 9.