"Ireland only taxes the profits of such enterprises [petroleum exploration and production]. There is no per unit tax or levy as in other countries and Ireland's tax rate is relatively low. The State also does not take an ownership stake in the field or demand royalties. Thus on this basis, Ireland's tax regime is generous in comparison to that of other countries. "

A Garda attempts to arrest a protestor in a dragon boat while a Shell digger on a barge continues dredging up sand in preparation to lay the off-shore section of the raw gas pipeline.


