Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)

Like other speakers, I would like the Minister to take a personal interest in the situation. Regardless of what has happened in the past, he must now confirm that all health and safety regulations are being complied with in full and that state of the art technology is being used to ensure that safety measurements are taken in accordance with the law and well above the required tolerance.

Is the Minister prepared to intercede with a view to Shell suspending operations for a short period to facilitate negotiations in which the Minister and others can play a part with a view to identifying some kind of common ground? Purging of contempt is the only way to comply with the court order. However, as Deputy Kenny pointed out, that cannot happen in this case because the people now in prison strongly believe they are correct in their views. The object of the exercise now is to ascertain the extent to which the Minister can ensure that reason will prevail. A short time must be given in which to enter into negotiations that might result in an accommodation to enable the men in prison purge their contempt.

I have experience of this type of situation and am conscious of the points raised by several other Deputies. The current situation is intolerable. Regard must always be given to the rights of the individuals who live and work in any area when a development is taking place. It is possible to grant permission to allow developments to take place but it must be done against the backdrop of the rights and entitlements of people who live and work in the area.

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