Free the Rossport 5

Based on text of WSM leaflet for pickets on Friday 22 July

In jail since June 29th because they won't obey a court order not to obstruct the building of a high pressure gas pipeline passing through their own lands. The state has lined up behind the gas consortium of Shell, Statoil and Marathon.

Free the Rossport 5

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In jail since June 29th because they won't obey a court order not to obstruct the building of a high pressure gas pipeline passing through their own lands. The state has lined up behind the gas consortium of Shell, Statoil and Marathon.

IT'S DANGEROUS

Shell intends to employ a new, and previously, untried technology at Corrib. This technology is experimental and contains dangers of explosion, which would incinerate those living nearby.

The local community is not opposed to developing the gas field, they just want it done safely and at an offshore terminal - as is done in other countries.

IT'S A RIP-OFF

No royalties will be paid to the Irish government and an extraordinarily low rate of tax was arranged, all of which the consortium will be able to write off.

The government is giving them our gas for practically nothing and then we will have to buy it back. The millionaires are good at looking after each other. We should do the same, today that means supporting the ordinary people of Rossport.

There used to be a tax rate of 50%, an automatic 50% state stake in any commercial well, and royalties of 6 %- 7%. In 1987 Ray Burke got rid of the 50% state stake and removed royalties. In 1992 Bobby Molloy reduced the tax rate to 25%, and 100% tax write offs were introduced, meaning that the companies can subtract their costs from their tax bill.

In other places in Europe the state takes 55% or even 79% of a field. Maybe Bertie thinks we don't need the cash for our hospitals?

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First published online on indymedia.ie

More details on Rossport and Shell