Solitaire is the only game in town

Solitaire is the only game in town


DeFacto
Liamy Mac Nally

Some people felt as if their prayers were answered as the Solitaire limped away from Broadhaven Bay in north Mayo. The largest pipe-laying vessel in the world had been reduced to a bouncing buoy in the choppy waters of Erris. One woman commented: “Thank God. He is listening to us.” There are many people praying over the Corrib issue. The priests of Kilcommon parish are at the forefront of leading their parishioners in very difficult times, facing the rap of the corporate rather than the Episcopal crosier. They are standing alongside their people as the community is being split by the actions of an inept Government and the carelessness of politicians.
The Solitaire was greeted by kayaks, canoes, trawlers and fishing gear as it broke the waves of disbelief and disappointment. For some people its presence reminded them of the grim reaper. The death of innocence was close. 
It was supported by the trimmings of the State, vested in the powers of the Gardaí and navy. Three naval ships, armed, patrolled the bay, there to back up the civil authorities. This was another first for the Corrib gas project – calling in the navy. To what depths can our Government go to assist corporate Ireland? It appears that it is willing to plunge right down to the bottom. Already the laws of the land have been changed to accommodate Shell in its quest to extract gas and sell it back to us at the market rate, which is rising with each passing day. The irony seems to be lost on the Government which, ever more intent on drowning the issues surrounding the Corrib, insists that all is well. Where else would it be tolerated that more than a hundred gardaí patrol an area, closing off roads, assisted by Mayo County Council’s published road closure notice for September 10 – the day of the Solitaire? Why is it that the organs of the State are used to breathe life into a trans-national corporation whose record in most countries has raised serious questions about its modus operandi? Why are state agencies sweeping aside the local people to empower Shell even more than it already is?  
The showdown is getting closer. Someone will surely die if common sense does not prevail. The buck rests with those in power – the Government. An editorial in this paper two weeks called for leadership in the Corrib saga. That will be difficult with the players involved. There has to be some semblance of respect among the participating parties. Last week Shell personnel refused to take calls from the press or to return calls. Their frontline press spokesperson was on annual leave. Messages left by journalists on the mobiles and landlines of several of their army of sweet talkers, movers and shakers were ignored. 
When the Solitaire developed technical difficulties press contacts were pushed into action by Shell. They had to get out the message that the biggest pipe-laying ship in the world was not running away because it encountered Maura Harrington on hunger strike and Pat O’Donnell and family on their pipeline route. Suddenly the phone lines to journalists were red hot with Shell-speak. They forget that the relationship is two-way. The big ship was sailing away because it had encountered technical problems! Really? All journalists have a job to do and it is not to be at the beck and call of Shell directors. Journalists also need access to information even when Shell likes to dictate issues.
Many of the older folk recounted stories of the sea. The sea has its own way, they say. The smart and snappy exit of the Solitaire was a sign to many people that, rather than technical problems, all was not well on board. Some said that the spectre of the Corrib would haunt the Solitaire long after its Broadhaven visit if anything untoward happened because of its presence. In 2002 the owners of the Solitaire, the Swiss shipping group, Allseas, was contracted to provide the ship to Shell for pipeline work but that fell through after An Bord Pleanála sought further information about Shell’s refinery at Bellanaboy. This threatened to delay the project with Allseas seeking compensation from Shell. Some media reports at the time stated that the company was seeking £20 million sterling (more than €31 million at the time). Shell was expected to negotiate the figure downwards in the hope that the project could be restarted. Six years on the Solitaire has once again fallen foul of the Corrib project.
It is worth stating again that local consent is there provided Shell sits down, talks and takes agreed action. Sceptre and crown must tumble down and in the tide be equal made with the poor crooked kayak and wave.