Democratic Reform
For a New Republic

Ireland's Natural Resources:

Article 10 of the Irish Constitution

All natural resources, including the air and all forms of potential energy, within the jurisdiction of the Parliament and Government established by this Constitution and all royalties and franchises within that jurisdiction belong to the State subject to all estates and interests therein for the time being lawfully vested in any person or body.

From 2013

Under the terms of the Lisbon Treaty, it is proposed to apply Qualified Majority Voting to a number of new areas – these include energy, asylum and immigration. This would allow the European Parliament to legislate in these new areas, and take control of our Natural Energy Resources. In direct violation of our Constitution.

Why is this important;

Under International Law the Irish Nation has exclusive economic rights to a very large area, over 220 Million Acres (almost 25%) of the European Continental Shelf, and under International Law, any natural resources found within or beneath our Exclusive Economic Zone, belong to the Irish Nation.
See:..the Real Map of Ireland.

According to an Irish Government report entitled Atlantic Ireland an Exciting Petroleum Province, released in 2006, and highlighted in the Irish Times and Irish Independent,
The Porcupine Ridge, Porcupine Trough, and Celtic Sea areas of the shelf have been identified as possibly having enough Oil and Gas, to provide security of energy supply for Europe.

130 billion barrels of Oil and 50 trillion cubic Ft. of natural Gas
Oil and Gas worth approximately $ 15 Trillion (US Dollars)

For further Information visit the dept of the marine website and view:
SP-3/06 Brochure Under Special Publications
The Source Rock Modelling Well data is on the Right Hand side of page 2.

To see a detailed list of the Fields discovered click;..Oil and Gas Discoveries
To see further information on some of these finds click..Tony O`Reilly's / Providence Resources.

Irish Fishing Rights

Perhaps the most blatant example of arrogance and incompetence, was the decision to open our exclusive fishing rights to European Fishermen. Ireland owns 23% of the fishing waters in Europe but is only allowed 4% of the European fish trade quota, These rights which were guaranteed by International Law, were sold to Europe for 6 Billion pounds.

Base Metal Mining in Ireland:

Ireland has a widely varied geological framework, ranging from Ancient to the Present, that includes a number of mineral provinces endowed with a diverse range of base and precious metals as well as industrial mineral deposits. Mining in Ireland dates back to copper mining during the Bronze Age (2000-400 B.C.). Over the last 40 years a string of significant base metal discoveries were made, (including the giant ore deposit at Tara Mines).
Ireland now ranks, in terms of tonnes of ore discovered per square kilometre, First in the world, for zinc ore, Second in the world for lead ore. Zinc is used in the manafacture of stainless steel. Ireland currently supplies 35% of Europes zinc requirements.

Source; The Dept. Of Communication, the Marine and Natural Resources.
See;.. Land of Mineral Opportunities

Gold Mining in Ireland

At the Clontibret mines in Monaghan / Cavan, operated by Conroy Diamonds and Gold, a find of between 15 to 20 Million ounces of Gold, which at nearly $ 2000 an ounce is worth up to $ 40 Billion dollars in value.
See page 2 of the Conroy Diamonds and Gold Report

There is a long history of gold mining in Ireland. It is possible we are sitting on hundreds of billions of dollars worth of gold. Using modern research and exploration tools it should be possible to reopen some mines and recover this vast wealth.

What good is all this to Ireland

Under our Constitution, any such natural resources, belong to the Nation. Yet we receive no share in this wealth, and we receive no Royalties from these resources.

The Irish people receive very little from our natural resources, due to the incompetence ( or corruption ? ) of successive Irish Government's.
Tax incentives relevant to exploration and mining in Ireland include:

  • No State Shareholding in the Project and No Royalties are Payable.
  • Immediate write-off of development and exploration expenditure
  • Capital Allowance of up to 120 percent
  • Expenditure on rehabilitation of sites after closure is tax-deductible
  • There are no restrictions on foreign investment in Ireland,
  • There are no restrictions with capital repatriation from the State.
    Profit Rent Resource Tax (PRRT)
    After a period of consultation with international consultants Indecon, a decision was taken to defuse public concern at the lack of income from our Natural Resources.
    In 2007, a profit resource rent tax, was introduced which applies only to finds made under Licences issued on or after January 2007.
    ( All current licences were issued before the applicable tax date. )
    Source; The Dept. Of Communication, the Marine and Natural Resources.
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