We need your help now
Support from readers like you keeps The Journal open.
You are visiting us because we have something you value. Independent, unbiased news that tells the truth. Advertising revenue goes some way to support our mission, but this year it has not been enough.
If you've seen value in our reporting, please contribute what you can, so we can continue to produce accurate and meaningful journalism. For everyone who needs it.
Sign in. It’s quick, free and it’s up to you.
An account is an optional way to support the work we do. Find out more.
By continuing, you are indicating that you accept our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.
THE COMMUNICATIONS AND Natural Resources Minister Pat Rabbitte has said that comparisons between Ireland’s oil prospects and those in Norway, which has an 80 per cent tax on oil profits, is like “comparing apple and oranges”.
Rabbitte said that while he would review Ireland’s lower tax rate on oil and gas profits, it was not reasonable to compare Ireland with Norway and said that the country could not afford to carry out its own offshore drilling.
He told RTÉ’s Morning Ireland: “It costs between €80 and €100 million a pop to drill a well off the Irish offshore.
“The Irish state doesn’t have that kind of money and therefore we are dependent on attracting the private industry to spend the money.”
The Minister said that exploration companies have already spent some €5 billion “for little enough return”.
Hopes that Ireland could begin a path of energy independence – it has one of the lowest in the EU – emerged last year after Providence Resources said that it found billions of barrels of oil off the Cork coast.
Last night the Dáil debated a 12-month-old report by an Oireachtas committee into offshore oil and gas exploration which recommended adjusting Ireland’s top corporate tax rate on offshore drilling profits from 25 per cent to as much as 80 per cent, as is the case in Norway.
But on RTÉ this morning, Rabbitte said: “I think it’s a pity that this canard about Norway has been flown and has captured some imagination.
“The truth of the matter is it is the unique geological advantage that Norway has where you can expect a [oil] strike in four as compared to three strikes here from 156 drilling, it is that level of prospectivity that means that you can have that level of tax.”
He said that comparisons to Norway were like “comparing apples with oranges” and said that people who were responsible for this comparison “should have recanted but didn’t”.
To embed this post, copy the code below on your site
I didn’t think John Waters would be in favour of artificial contraception…
“Nobody knows where my Johhny has gone”" or as the song goes “Its my std and I will cry if I want to “
Cringe.com
Whats with the thumbs down? Cringe multiplied with poor communication and stupidity..
Quick question, do condoms still have that luxury tax attached to them?
I think so…along with tampons!!
You can get condoms for free in any HSE clinic or STI clinics, or you can get 12 for a €1.49 in the euro shops and dealzs.
Won’t somebody think of the Youth Defence types? We’ll have another 300 billboards saying No to Johnny because of this.
Maybe backed up by the song Johnnie I Hardly Knew Ya?
Pretty unimaginative. I am surprised its not a model in a pair of short shorts holding a sign though. Pretty much what advertising and marketing can stretch to on this island.
Should he not be playing a flute?
Don’t be silly wrap you’re willy… Or you will get aids and die
Ah come on! You leave the aids joke there but take down my monkey comment??
Despite everything they seem to b out of touch as usual and spending money they don’t have on cringe campaigns…nReign in they HSE and start to cut out the useless middle management in it and let’s get on with revitalising the health sector…
It’s not babies that are the problem its the aids and herpes that are the real problem
Oh great work there lads. An Irish Ali G!! And what has the effing ukulele got to do with condoms??
maybe the message is that if you dont use a condom you could bring a sad git like this to life!
How about a simple STOP MAKING BABIES! campaign?
Don’t have sex! You’ll get COOTIES !
Zip up your mickey.
I liked the think contraception ones, garden of eden backing track
WTF … Does’nt even begin to “cover” this ….
There’s nothing I love more than watching elderly HSE members desperately try to connect with the youth of the country… and failing miserably…
Great ad. With super acting.
Ná bí id’ amadán, cur clúdach ar do dhóchán.
Serious subject. Dire ad…STD’s still on the increase. What is the message here (if any)? Not a reflection of any good management.
Yep, you’re right.
You can get an STI from oral to. Zip up your mouth. LOL
@ Mark
LOL
Low budget, quick, non informative and lacking the care needed to execute the intended goal. Its the perfect add for the HSE.
How much did this add cost to make? Was it a professional advertising agency ? It looks like an amateurish effort ?
How the hell can you find 3 actors so bad in a 10 second ad? Take a bow HSE- CRINGE
It is supposed to be real sister, not actors.
The Dutch do much better condom ads http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=–7Fxg6_jzU
It’s a belgian ad (they speak french and the stores mentioned are in Belgium)
This does not make my johnny jump up!
Cringe!
Oh god that’s so cringe inducing, huge fail on the part of the HSE
Budget cuts to important services and then they spend money on that shite. Unbelievable!
johnny needs to sort out his bush!
Ok, it is kinda stalkery to have a guy strumming a guitar outside a tent when people are getting it on but I’m more concerned that there is: no mention of STDs/AIDS, protecting yourself, they guy is NOT prepared with a condom in his pocket (girl has the condom), there’s a focus on a heterosexual couple and not a gay couple (tho there might be other adverts that have a gay couple, but I doubt that) etc etc. The salience of the ‘don’t die of ignorance’ advert seems to have been completely lost here. I don’t see the point of the advert and it is an utter waste of money tbh. And, oh, sponsored by ‘The Inbetweeners’ (about a group of hapless virgin boys who actually know nothing about sex) seems just an appropriate choice of sponsor given the advert’s design!
have your say