Shell are starting the dredging operation to begin laying the offshore part of the production pipeline to pump the raw gas from the Corrib field to their installation at Bellanaboy. The project has been criticised for separating the planning aspects of the offshore pipeline from the nine kilometres of onshore production pipeline which they want to cross the bog landscape and special areas of conservation around Rossport, county Mayo.

The company have not got planning permission for route of the onshore pipeline, but are pressing ahead with the offshore pipe.

Natural Resaources Minister Eamon Ryan, who once supported the local community in their fight against Shell's scheme, has made no statement in reaction to the Department of Transport's announcement (below). read full story / add a comment

Shell to Sea is currently drawing persistent attention to the flouting of EU/ Irish law in relation to the Wildlife Act of 1985 amended in 1995. It received statutory significance through its signing by the then, Minister for Arts, Culture and the Gaeltacht, Michael D Higgins read full story / add a comment

Photos taken Thursdaymorning from Cobh
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Two bus loads of Archaeologists arrived at Tara this morning for a Tour of the Hill. read full story / add a comment

Cllr Keith Martin has lodged an objection to the proposed Eircom mast at Killadoon, Louisburgh. read full story / add a comment

Cllr Keith Martin has called for the provision of allotments under the new Town Plan. The Labour councillor has made a submission that Westport Town Council acquire agricultural land for the purpose of providing allotments to citizens of the town to allow them to grow vegetables, fruits and flowers read full story / add a comment

Cllr Keith Martin has asked Labour's Spokesperson on Natural Resources, Liz McManus TD, to investigate the delay in a decision concerning Gold Mining in the vicinity of Croagh Patrick read full story / add a comment

On the 23rd of June,a private contractor will dispose of 15kg of Hydrogen Cyanide on the land of the Kilbride Army Camp in the Dublin/Wicklow Mountains. This land is in the catchment of the Blessington Lakes, Dublin's main water supply, and within 10 miles of Dublin City Centre. The Kilbride Army Camp borders a Special Area of Conservation. read full story / add a comment

Call goes out from for people’s presence at demonstration against "disposal" of gas chamber chemical next Friday at 6pm. read full story / add a comment

One of the arguments for the way Shell want to operate the Corrib gas field has always been that using a production pipeline/ onshore refinery would limit the need for helicopter flights for workers.

Flights to and from offshore rigs are said to be dangerous. Local people have always countered that there was an element of choice in working for Shell, while they had no choice about living next to a high pressure production pipeline.

Now however, the director of air safety for Shell has said that helicopter flights are not actually that dangerous at all. An examination of 2,000 helicopter accidents has shown that it was poor air safety systems that were the problem, and the majority of accidents could have been prevented by following more stringent procedures. read full story / add a comment

We have been in France for 28 days, and over a month since the walk began. We have had huge support from not just local people but globally the walk has been joined by people from Japan, Canada, German, France, Italy, Australia, Sweden, Scotland, England, Niger & the United States of America.
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The world is now more than ever suffering the effects of the liberalisation of markets and the consequences of Structural Adjustment Programmes implemented in the Global South in the 1970s and 80s. One of the most telling episodes in the history of this process has been the effect of liberalisation on food production and consumption. In the context of the current "food crisis", world leaders met in Rome last week at the Food and Agricultural Organisation of the UN to debate their responses. read full story / add a comment

Rural activists and their mentors and supporters from both sides of the border congregated in Rathfriland-on-the-Hill yesterday to celebrate the finish of a scheme which was intended to prompt village enhancement and to involve the community. read full story / add a comment

As a species we are finally waking up to the Climatic crisis that we have stupidly gotten ourselves into. After many years of not listening, people now realise the problem we face: ADAPT OR DIE. Some see the human species as a cancer that should die off, a natural end for a silly species. But others have a vision of a sustainable world, a vision that drives them to think differently, act differently, design differently, live differently. For many its simple little lifestyle changes, for others its nothing short of the next chapter in this unfolding strange story of civilization: the ecological revolution. read full story / add a comment

Fishermen's Fight for Freedom Continues in Court Battle on Day of Shell AGM

(Rossport, County Mayo, Ireland) Three Rossport fishermen who were battered by Garda during a peaceful march in full view of witnesses and independent cameramen will have their appeal heard in court in Castelbar, Tuesday May 20, 2008. Local priests and an International delegation have joined in support of the men and the local resistance to the Shell pipeline and refinery. On the same date, May 20th, neighbors of Shell will protest at their Annual General Meeting (AGM) in both London and Holland.

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Now Shell have applied for planning for their 'new' pipeline route, we must act swiftly to oppose it at every stage. Everyone can make submissions! This entire project has been the cause of untold misery, strife and unhappiness for our families and community. We will continue to resist Shell through every legal, political and campaigning means open to us, even though this could lead to more years of unnecessary conflict. Please support us and make a submission. read full story / add a comment

At Belmullet District Court today the Garda prosecution against Erris man Ed Collins (arising out of the Ogoni Nine memorial march and subsequent baton-charging of demonstrators by Gardai on 10th November 2006) reached its conclusion read full story / add a comment

Yesterday morning, Thusday 08/05/08 PACC - People Against Climate Change - delivered a tonne of coal to the Minister for Finance on his first day in office. Below is a short photo-essay of the event (which I just happened to stumble upon). read full story / add a comment

The last century has been marked by the most explosive growth of pollution and production in the entire history of the humanity. The changes brought about by industrialisation under the economic system of capitalism have lead to a large number of systemic problems. Anarchist communism is in a unique position to solve these systemic problems. read full story / add a comment

HELP NEEDED NOW read full story / add a comment