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Press Release: Shell to Sea highlight continued oil & gas giveaway despite expected budget cuts

Shell to Sea campaigners have gathered outside the Dáil today to highlight the government's policy of continuing the giveaway of our valuable oil and gas resources.

In today's budget the government are expected to hit areas including child benefit, pensioners and social welfare for cuts while introducing new taxes on the public. While these sectors are targeted, the government is also expected to continue the terms and conditions governing oil and gas resources that guarantee no security of supply or revenue to the state, despite a new report showing that the resource may be worth up to 1.6 trillion Euro [1]

Outside the Dáil today Shell to Sea spokesperson Maura Harrington said: "Ireland today is just another tinpot republic where politicians forget the people's needs but bend the knee to Shell and Big Oil. While the resource giveaway continues, how can the government justify any new taxes or spending cuts?"

ENDS

For more information contact:        
    
Maura Harrington:    
Terence Conway:     
 
http://www.shelltosea.com


http://www.facebook.com/shelltosea


http://twitter.com/#!/ShellToSea

NOTES FOR EDITORS:

[1] The booklet "Liquid Assets" researched and produced by Dublin Shell to Sea in 2012 is available here:
http://www.dublins2s.com/

The Shell to Sea Campaign has three main aims:

1) That any exploitation of the Corrib gas field be done in a safe way that will not expose the local community in Erris to unnecessary health, safety and environmental risks.
2) To renegotiate the terms of the Great Oil and Gas Giveaway, which sees Ireland’s 10 billion barrels of oil equivalent* off the West Coast go directly to the oil companies, with the Irish State retaining a 0% share, no energy security of supply and only 25% tax on profits against which all costs can be deducted.
3) To seek justice for the human rights abuses suffered by Shell to Sea campaigners due to their opposition to Shell’s proposed inland refinery.