Open letter to Mayo's Dail candidates

Dear Candidate,

Following the legal vindication of the Rossport 5 in the High Court on Wed 18th April, and with the imminent election 24th of May, I am writing to you on behalf of the many local supporters of the Shell to Sea campaign, to ask for clarification of your stance on key issues relevant to the Shell Corrib Gas project and future development plans nationwide.

Continues... 

Of particular interest is the issue of Sustainable Development, as the Kilcommon (Erris) Development Plan 2006 - 2010 is one of the first local plans to follow the principles laid down in Agenda 21 and "Towards Sustainability in the National Development Plan 2007 - 2013" (Comhar - Sustainable Development Council). It aims to fulfil the development needs of the community whilst reducing their consumption of fossil fuels, reducing waste, reducing the use of toxic chemicals and pollution, and to enhance biodiversity of native flora and fauna. This also reflects the stated aims of the National Development Plan 2000 - 2006 which calls for development "in a manner that has due regard to environmental protection, biodiversity conservation and the preservation of visual, scenic and residential amenities."

• Stop the development of a gas refinery at Bellanaboy in County Mayo and ensure that all future refining of oil and gas is conducted off shore.
• Renegotiate the terms of the 1992 oil and gas deals to ensure that all deals made with respect to natural resources benefit the people of Ireland.
• Restore basic civil liberties to the people of Ireland facing state and corporate oppression

1. Would you support a renegotiation of the deal for Irish gas/oil, to benefit the nation?
2. Do you accept that air and water quality are of the highest priority for the health and well-being of both people and environment and that these must be protected?
3. Do you accept that communities deserve fair and respectful treatment by government with full and transparent consultation regarding any proposed development?
4. Would you support a full, independent review to determine the optimum development model for Corrib based on community consent?
5. Would you support a new strategy focussed on implementation of Sustainable Development at both local community and national levels?

It is noted that you have to date failed to reply to the email listing 35 issues as sent to you on the 30th of March 2007. Your response within the next 7 days would be greatly appreciated to the above listed questions. Thank you for taking the time to consider these points and we look forward to hearing from you at your earliest convenience.