By:
Vincent Salafia - Irish Examiner
The 1937 Constitution removed Irish citizens’ rights to the natural resources of their nation that are enjoyed by the citizens of other countries the world over, writes Vincent Salafia
IT'S NOT JUST ABOUT WATER - Joe Murray (left) Andy Storey (right) of AFRI and Terence Conway (centre) of SHELL TO SEA at Decemebr 10th Water Protest in Dublin
SINCE time immemorial, the practical reality of kingship or sovereignty over a nation has involved a system whereby the leader of a particular dynasty or group takes power over national resources, then plunders and divides them between his relatives and supporters.
It happened under ancient Irish kings, and then in earnest under the Norman feudal system, beginning in 1169.
That practice continues to this day in Ireland. With each successive government we see a selling-off of national assets and resources in order to benefit the ruling parties, as opposed to the common good.
It is happening now with water, as it has with other natural resources and national assets, such as oil and gas, minerals, fisheries, wind energy, telecoms, even agriculture, due to the 1937 Constitution which granted ownership of natural resources, including all forms of energy, to the State, in Article 10.
Posted Date:
15 December 2014