Norwegian Day with Shell to Sea

Shell to Sea campaigners carried a section of pipeline behind the Norwegian parade, to draw attention to the Norwegian government's part in the Corrib scheme.

Syttende mai (May 17th) is commemorated every year by Norwegians all around the world, to mark their country's achievement of independence. A parade was held this morning in Dublin, when many members of the Norwegian community carried their country's flag along Grafton Street.

They were joined this year by members of the Shell to Sea campaign, who followed along behind with a section of Pipeline with PROPERTY OF STATOIL and NOT WANTED IN ROSSPORT printed on the side.

John Monaghan of Shell to Sea said: "This year in Ireland May 17th was also marked by Shell to Sea activists who want to point out the absurd situation whereby the people of Ireland will benefit nothing from the Corrib gas field, while the people of Norway will see the profits invested in their schools, hospitals, roads and pensions."

"Norway owns 71 per cent of Statoil. Statoil has a 36.5 per cent stake in the Corrib field. This means that the citizens of Norway will own 25 per cent of the gas produced. Meanwhile, because of the lrish State's giveaway licensing system, the people of Ireland will get nothing, and will have to buy back their own natural resource at market rates. The profits from gas that lies off the Mayo coast will be invested in infrastructure projects in places like Fredrikstad and Oslo, while gas prices for consumers in Ireland are projected to rise by up to 40 per cent this year."

"Shell to Sea thinks the Corrib deal should be re-negotiated for the benefit of the people of Ireland. We admire the way that the Norwegians have managed their own natural resources. However we're not very happy that they are allowed to take ours too, without giving us anything in return. We'd be better off applying for Norwegian citizenship."

A group of 25 activists braved the wet weather to follow the parade up to the bandstand in Stephen's Green, and on the way they handed out miniature Norwegian flags with information about the Corrib scheme printed on the back.

If you would like information on further Shell to Sea events and actions, please send an email to Dublinshelltosea@gmail.com.