The massive finds of oil and gas on our western seaboard could ensure Ireland's financial security for generations.
Wealth approximating that of the Arab countries is within our grasp, but the Irish government seems content to sell off our birthright for a handful of votes and a few dollars.
In a special 'Magill' report, Sandra Mara investigates just what we are giving away, and why.
From 'Magill' magazine, March 2002.
With such a potentially lucrative new source of gas and oil in Irish waters, the Irish government (sic) has been remiss in not securing a deal that would ensure similar structures and benefits were set up here as part of the licence requirements.
Industry experts say our politicians and civil servants must be held accountable, and explain their actions in exposing Ireland to such losses and in failing to protect our interests.
The initial tax deal was offered as "as incentive" to encourage oil and gas exploration in Ireland, but since 1992 only a small number of wells have been drilled, despite the evident potential of viable finds.
One industry source explained -
"The vast bulk of licences and drilling options or leases are so-called 'frontier licences' that the oil companies can sit on for up to 20 years.
Technology has moved on rapidly, and deep-water production techniques have already been developed for drilling the deep waters of the western Atlantic, but the proper exploitation of our natural resources had been delayed until the oil companies decided when to drill and produce.
Not to fulfil our needs for oil and gas, but their own..."
(MORE LATER.)
THE NUMBER'S UP...
How some famous gambling conspiracies came to light.
By Con Houlihan.
From 'Magill' Magazine Annual 2002.
A bet for them was a kind of 'fix' ; gambling was their drug.
Dostoievsky, the great Russian writer, could tell you all about this species - he belonged to it.
Finally, there is the professional ; you can hardly call him a gambler. He may go for a week or a month without having a bet, as he waits for near-certainties.
He isn't a professional in the true sense ; he doesn't depend for a living on betting, but it is his vocation.
The bookmaker doesn't fear the plunger - indeed, he welcomes him or her with open satchel, and he doesn't fear the compulsive gamblers, as they tend to chase their losses and end up losing more.
He has no fear of the punter, as the odds, after all, are in the bookie's favour, but he fears the person who has the occasional big bet, and has to be very wary in dealing with such bets because, usually, the money is informed.
These are the people he especially fears in the fraught three minutes at the greyhound track.
And, of course, he fears the professional, because he is dealing with a foe as shrewd as himself...
(MORE LATER.)
POLITICAL LIFESTYLES IN IRELAND...
His lavish lifestyle was funded by wealthy admirers.
Time after time, his debts were taken care of by friendly businessmen.
In exchange for giving people access to government leaders, he cheerfully lined his own pockets.
From 'Magill' Magazine, January 2003.
"Well, basically, I'd be going in to radically overhaul the tax system, the transport system and the judicial system..." ,he tells me, "..otherwise I'd just hang around the Dail."
You may, of course, have experienced just the slightest twinge of scepticism when you read that last bit but, at least, like Wigmore, do Brendan the courtesy of having a good laugh.
Wigmore supposes that this whole peace-in-our-time lark is all very well, But I must confess to a twinge of sadness every time I think of those hordes of fine, upstanding young soldiers left sitting around with nothing to do.
Speaking of which, join with me in sympathy for the members of Republican Sinn Féin who are clearly finding it hard to fill the hours in this brave new world of peace, love and understanding ; things have reached a new low in Limerick, where the former warriors for a 32-county socialist republic have been reduced to campaigning against those notorious agents of British imperialism - pigeons - who apparently have been making a dreadful nuisance of themselves at the local railway station...
(MORE LATER.)
Thanks for reading - delighted that ya could make it, even if we nearly didn't : family commitments, and job commitments - never the twain shall meet!
Sharon and the team.
