Just before Christmas An Taisce announced that they have been granted a judicial review at the High Court against the Department of Environment, Community and Local Government, for allocating licences to Providence Resources Ltd to survey and drill in Dublin Bay.
When I spoke with An Taisce Communications department they told me in simple terms, they believe the allocation of the licences did not go through the proper channels.
In essence the minister who awarded the licence didn’t follow the EU policy correctly and An Taisce is therefore hoping to prove that the licences are invalid.
According to An Taisce after the licences were awarded parts of the area became a ‘Special Area of Conservation’ which puts the ecology of the area as paramount so if their judicial review is successful could we hope to halt the surveying and drilling in Dalkey?
A group we have become aware of is www.dublinbayconcern.ie who focus on the lost revenue and lost opportunities for our country. They want re-negotiation of the licence which weighed generously on the side of the oil company and not our country. They want to make sure that the oil is drilled in the safest way possible and that it is used by our country to benefit our country. They highlight that currently there will be no tax revenue, no ownership and no jobs for Ireland. Added to this, oil refining will take place abroad as will the sale of the oil itself.
Another group who are against drilling in Dublin Bay at any cost are www.protectourcoast.net and they have been very demonstrative and vocal about their goals. They have regular protests and one recently in mid-January. A contact person for these protests is People Before Profit Councillor Melissa Halpin in Sandymount, call 01-6183366 or 086-3805793.
Drilling for oil in Dalkey is a contentious issue and one which we all need to educate ourselves on, get an opinion on and stand up for what we believe in. Changes are occurring now which will change our economy, our environment and the future of our country for the next generation. Make sure your opinion and your voice is heard.
By Joan Mitchell
