Oct 19 - Opposition Arguments Undermined By Expert Reports – Number Six
It is clear that the Opposition will never be happy no matter what the Government does to meet their arguments on the question of the LNG supply to the power station, according to Number Six.
The Government says the GSD has spent months calling for the publication of the safety reports and, now that these have been published, showing that there is no need for concern, the Opposition “move the goalposts” once more because the conclusions do not suit them. Number Six adds that, in contrast to what happened with the report the GSD relied on, the Government can state categorically, that what it has published is the “full undistorted and unedited report.”
A statement continued: “This suggests that the only interest that the Opposition have is to continue their scaremongering based on everything that they can think of except the facts. It is quite incredible that they should consider themselves to be qualified to question the scientific approach and methodology that has been used to compile the reports after a few short hours of consideration by people who are not scientists, but politicians.
“Moreover, by claiming that the reports provided by Lloyd's Register have been 'rushed' the Opposition are criticising the professionalism of the very same company that they used to hail as 'the leading risk assessors in the world' only a few months ago.
“The science speaks for itself. The three zone map produced by the Health and Safety Laboratory clearly proves that there is zero risk posed by the specific design to residential areas. Indeed, the Government's chosen design is that of the world leaders in LNG, who have over 50 years of unrivalled experience in the LNG sector. This design has been assessed by HSL, a leading, independent risk assessor trusted by UK industry, government and professional bodies, and Lloyd's Register, who have also approved Shell's design.
“The Government has committed itself to making experts from HSL available to explain their methodology and results to the public. Experts and representatives from Shell will also be establishing communications with stakeholders and the public in Gibraltar in order to answer any questions and understand and address any remaining concerns.
“Simultaneously, the Opposition seem confused over LNG bunkering. LNG bunkering will not be conducted onshore but by an offshore bunkering vessel. This means that LNG bunkering facilities will be immediately available; Gibraltar has the capacity and trained professional staff to be able to conduct these operations safely and securely.”
The Chief Minister, Fabian Picardo, said: "The Opposition called on the Government to publish the safety reports and we have done so. The reports show that there is no cause for concern. Given that the Opposition do not like the conclusion of the reports, they have started their usual tactic of nit-picking and confusing the issue. Shell are world leaders in LNG, the UK HSL and Lloyd’s Register are also leaders in their field and far better qualified to make a judgment than Mr Feetham and Mr Hammond. Given the choice of whether to be trust Mr Feetham or the real experts, the whole Community will choose HSL, Lloyds, Shell and the great professionals at the GEA and the Ministry of the Environment and Environmental Agency.”
{fcomment}
