Public Service Broadcaster and Private Print Multinational join forces

national | environment | opinion/analysis Friday November 24, 2006 13:49 by m.m.mccarron - o.s.i.

RTE 1 Prime Time and the Independent in Rossport

The joining of forces by a public service body and a print multinational must be a first. The Corrib Gas Project is showing up a number of firsts. Count them.

While Clare Shell to Sea was giving information to a packed house at An Glor on the Corrib Gas Project in Ennis last night - in competition to Isla Grant in the audorium and ears alert in the foyer -todays' Independent was being rolled out.

Its Corrib Gas Project opinion poll was carried out by Red C. Never heard of it before and certainly not one of the better known or better established.

It has a very confused opinion analysis to be read closely.

Shell to Sea did not emanate from the jailing of the Rossport 5. It has been in active existence since 2001. More attention needed to detailed facts.

Note the very high percentage of Don't Knows. Any suggestions on why that is so. None offered in the interpretation of the facts. How many were interviewed?

The motley grouping is described but no numerical evidence in that one and no question addressed to this fact. Why then the comment?

The overwhelming majority shows no love for Shell. Why? A very important finding indeed. Has Shell been experienced in a bad light? How ?

Almost all the interpretative comments made do not relate to the specific questions. For example how many buses came on Nov I0? How many in each bus? Prime Time usually does better than this.

Note the very high 38% who wish the protests to continue - in such weather and against such odds and at such personal cost. Even 14 % wanted direct action - what definition of that was used. Was this 14% of the 38% or an additional 14% to the 38%? Why such a high number in light of the other findings. Cannot be coherent in view of the heading of the piece that 70% back Corrib. What Corrib plan are the people backing - onshore/ offshore?

The greatest affirmation for Shell to Sea is that " 59% of people agreed that the protestors were doing what they would do of the issue was on their own doorsteps ". I do not think Shell to Sea needs any greater affirmation in Mayo if you add the further 16% who do not know what they would do bringing that total to to 75% Does Shell and the Government get the message?

This is a survey that does no credit scientifically to RTE Prime Time or to Red C.

On the other hand its three important findings are
A majority dislike Shell;
A big number support the protest
And most ,with freedom to choose, do not want the Corrib Gas Project in their backyards.

Just a pity that these findings were partially submerged in the interpretation and presentation of the analysis .