Rossport Today

[BohsPartisan]

Just had a detailed look at the Poll in the indo. The sensationalist headlines do not tally with what is actually in the polls. The headlines are a blatant attempt to distort what people actually said.
52% of people said the protests should coninue albeit this figure was split between those who said the protesters should continue in the present manner and those who said they should protest without impeding the work.
Only 51% thought the pipeline should go ahead - a very small majority (which also contradicts the 52% who said the protests should continue and the 59% who said they would act in the same way as the protesters if the same thing was happening in their area). 43% said the protesters spoke for a majority or all of the community while 40% said they spoke for a minority of the community.
All this poll shows is a lot of confusion on the issues and a certain polarisation. Given the bias against the protesters in the media, its surprising that they fared so well in this poll.

[Macy]

Thing that immediately struck me was why the whole of Mayo would be polled anyway. It'd be like asking someone who lives in Bray what they think of the port tunnel work disruption.

Any O'Reilly paper can't be trusted on issues of the people v big business, as he is a fat cat himself. Look at the Irish Ferries coverage for example - all following the Indo tradition going back to the lockout...

[pete]

I even support the right of peaceful protest eventhough i disagree with their issue. I obviously reject illegal protests. It appears a lot of people had similar opinions in the RTE poll.

Whatever side of the fence you sit on i think we can all agree is typically irish that a percentage of voters disgree with protestors side but then say they'd do exactly the same thing themselves.

[BohsPartisan]

Just found out that another figure that the poll turned up but which NONE OF THE PAPERS PRINTED was that more people in the poll (44%) said the pipeline should be offshore than said it should go the Shell route!!!

(This appeared on the Irish Times Website)

[BohsPartisan]

Actually here it is. From the breaking news section.

They claim that a key poll finding which asked respondents their preferred development model for the Corrib gas project was not published. This question showed that 44 per cent supported an off-shore processing of the gas; 29 per cent supported a processing at Bellanaboy; and 17 per cent wanted the project abandoned.

Despite the fact that this figure shows 61% agreeing with the aims of the campaign the Times Website still runs with the headline DISPUTED POLL SUPPORTS CORRIB PIPELINE
I think it is quite clear that this poll has been nothing but a blatant propaganda excercise from the mouthpieces of big business.

[Dr.Nightdub]

When is the last time we have mud slide of Indonesian proportions in Mayo.

Three years ago, actually: Mayo landslide

A landslide in Rossport wouldn't have to be of Indonesian proportions. One of mere Mayo proportions was enough to take out roads and bridges (note the photo in the link). I'd imagine a gas pipeline would go the same way.

And what started it? "...heavy rain." Wow, heavy rain in Mayo, who'd've guessed?

[RogerMilla]

the more i read about this the more i blame the government. Shell statoil and marathon were given carte blanche to exploit ( which is exactly what they have done ) these resources.

I could sympathise with the local protesters but really the most sickening thing is that it wont even lower the price of gas in Ireland. A shocking indictment of this country political culture and it's kow-towing to multi-nationals ( i dont believe for one a "rainbow" govt would have acted any differently towards shell ) .

[WeAreRovers]

This is actually a distortion of the poll findings as you would know if you watched primetime last night.

Have to agree with my gypo-Trot friend here. Looks like RTÉ have even broken their own Programme Makers Guidlines due to mindlessly parrotting INM's editorial line.

RTÉ could be in big trouble over this, the Indo obviously doesn't give a crap and, unlike RTÉ, are totally unaccountable.

I've said it before but the Shell to Sea people need to sort out their PR once and for all. A single unified voice and a single unified message is needed. Otherwise INM and their lackies in the rest of the media will wipe the floor with the protestors.

KOH