Shell to Sea Norwegian Embassy Picket Today

Wednesday July 13, 2005 10:40

by Shell to Sea Dublin

Details of a picket on the Norwegian embassy today

Shell to Sea Dublin will picket the Norwegian embassy on Molesworth St this afternoon starting at 1pm. One of the three companies in the consortium to exploit the Corrib gas field is Statoil, with 36.5% of the partnership. The Norwegian Government is the majority shareholder in the company.

A spokesperson for Shell to Sea Dublin said: “The terms of the agreement reached with the Government, under which the consortium is to exploit these reserves, are quite unacceptable, and no way in line with the high standards which Statoil has worked in Norway to exploit their Norwegian oil reserves.

“The reality is that the people of Norway own more of our national off-shore resources, and will benefit more from them, than the people of Ireland, whose birthright was sold away by successive Fianna Fáíl administrations. It is to them that we address our protest today.

“Does Statoil, and by extension the Government and people of Norway, really want to be associated with the illegal actions of Shell, and their intimidation of local people defending their rights and their environment?” ENDS

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Comments (6 of 6)

Fair Game

by Kevin Hoyt

Tue Nov 08, 2005 12:50

I think it is better for the people of Norway to profit from the oil off the shore of Ireland. It's a free market and they got it. End of story. The Norwegians are pretty nice socialists and at least the money will go to good causes. I wouldn't worry about it any more. Maybe try to negotiate for discounted airline tickets to Norway and then you can visit all the beautiful things your oil builds for the Norwegian people.

- Kevin

Cluais na hIoruaidhe

by Duine

Thu Jul 14, 2005 20:27

A Eoin,
Is trua nár thagair tú do sealg na míolta móra freisin.
Ní raibh an tIoruach riamh cúlánta i ndúshaothrú na mara idir ghrineall is sháile.

Text of letter handed in to Norwegian Embassy

by Eoin Ó Broin - Shell to Sea

Wed Jul 13, 2005 22:09

The ambassador was on holidays so the Charge dAffairs Ms. Else Kveinen took the letter and said she would pass on the concerns raised theirin to the relevant authorities in Norway.

===============================

Shell to Sea Campaign,
Rossport,
Co. Mayo.
PH: 087 9591474

13/7/2005

H.E. Mr. Truls Hanevold,
Ambassador of Norway to Ireland.
The Royal Norwegian Embassy,
34 Molesworth Street,
Dublin 2.

Re: Statoil’s involvement in onshore gas refinery & pipeline in Mayo.

Dear Sir,

I am writing to you on behalf of the ShelltoSea campaign concerning Statoil’s involvement in the proposed onshore gas refinery & pipeline in Mayo. As a campaigning organisation we would expect that you will communicate our concerns to the relevant government authorities in Norway.

At the outset I think it would be fair to say that most Irish people familiar with Statoil and Norway’s development would admire the way in which the standard of living of the people of Norway has become the highest in the World from the benefits of oil & gas discoveries and a social model based on even distribution of wealth. The main factor here has obviously been the Norwegians governments ability to retain significant control and royalties from the Oil & Gas finds. In addition to this no development could have taken place without nationally acceptable health & safety and environmental standards.

This success story contrasts with the potential for the project Statoil is now involved with in the west of Ireland. The Irish government has retained no stake in the gas discoveries here. Not a drop of this gas will necessarily stay in Ireland. If it does, it will be sold to Bórd Gáis at the full market rate. Furthermore the people of North West Mayo are being used as guinea pigs for an untried onshore refining process which is certainly environmentally polluting not to mention the litany of health & safety concerns raised.

To compound these developments the approach of the main site developer Shell Oil has been one of arrogance and intimidation reminiscent of their now infamous exploits in the Niger Delta region of Nigeria. Does Statoil, and by extension the Government and people of Norway, really want to be associated with the illegal actions of Shell, and their intimidation of local people defending their rights and their environment?

Norway has been independent from Sweden for about as long as Ireland has been independent from Britain. In this time Norway has managed to develop their economy without compromising on health & safety & environmental issues not to mention the dignity of their people. As such we urge you to apply the same standards in your overseas concerns and adhere to the high standards you have already set!
There is one simple way to do this. Refine the gas at Sea.

Yours sincerely,

___________
Eoin Ó Broin,
http://www.shelltosea.com