By:
Marius b. Staveli - Aftenbladet
Ireland’s favourable company tax rules mean the population having to pay the some EUR 2.25 billion (NOK 17 billion) extra for Statoil’s scandal-hit project, delayed following locals’ protests.
The cost overrun is mainly due to poor handling of local residents’ protests. Locals complain of lack of dialogue with the oil companies, little information, and fear of getting a pipeline almost under their houses.
The intense protests have delayed the project and made it more expensive.