Tony Gregory (Dublin Central, Independent)

The general public throughout the country would regard the worst proposal to come before this House in recent times to be electronic voting machines, which came originally from the Minister. I will not call it a brainchild as it may be a misuse of terms.

In the context of this debate on the sell-out of this country's natural resources by Fianna Fáil and the Progressive Democrats, I condemn outright the decision yesterday to grant permission to the Shell multinational oil company to proceed with a planned pipeline on the original route in County Mayo. I offer my absolute support to Micheál Ó Seighin and his courageous comrades at Rossport for their re-statement of their intention to oppose that pipeline on safety grounds. I also support their determination to continue with the Shell to Sea campaign.

The intransigence of the Shell multinational oil company, which was all too evident on radio this morning, in refusing to consider any alternatives has again resulted in a countdown to conflict in Mayo. In this instance, not only are this country's natural resources being handed over free gratis to the multinational oil companies, but the same multinationals are being empowered by the Fianna Fáil and Progressive Democrats Government to take over the land of local people compulsorily to facilitate the passage of a highly dangerous production pipeline, with its volatile cargo close to people's homes.

All of this is a scandal of immense proportions. The fact Fianna Fáil and the Progressive Democrats are getting away with it has been facilitated by the dismal failure of the main political parties in successive Governments to safeguard our natural resources for the benefit of those who own them, the Irish people.

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