Jerry Cowley (Mayo, Independent)

There is great willingness to talk and a very genuine proposal that should be considered. One should remember the location of the refinery was never the subject of the study and this is the outstanding problem. Even an inspector from An Bord Pleanála said it was in the wrong location. There is a great need for the Minister to intervene. He could talk to Shell to Sea, which represents the majority of people in the area, and to Shell. This is the way forward and the Minister has responsibility in this regard.

We hope the Minister will visit the site in Mayo. He has been so involved in the process but has never visited. If he visited the headquarters of Shell to Sea, he would see it is a trailer, in which he would receive a hot cup of tea and a welcome. He would hear for the first time what this matter is all about and meet the real people involved, that is, the ordinary, honourable, decent people I represent.

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