Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)

In the last number of weeks we have seen the announcement of almost 1,400 job losses across this State in Limerick, Carlow, Cork, Waterford, Inchicore in Dublin and in my home county of Monaghan. It is unlikely however, that many of them will have circles of wealthy friends ready to help them out in such a time of financial crisis. Today, at Ballinaboy in Mayo, we saw another example of the natural consequences of the connection between Fianna Fáil and big business. Early this morning, gardaí were outsourced to Shell Oil to serve as their enforcers against local people who have maintained a round-the-clock vigil at the site in protest at attempts to force a dangerous and unsafe pipeline through their community.

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