Norwegian Tax Returns made public today

[Chancey Gardener]

The reason is their oil and Norwegian euroscepticism is based around protecting that oil money from having to be paid into the central fund.

That's not quite true. Norway is pretty much part of the EU already with their association with the EEA (which was established in 1994). Very few general EU directives haven't been picked up in Norway. Granted, some of those are big directives...but it is not true to say that norway is completely outside the EU.

One of the big reasons they are reluctant to join the EU proper is more to do with fish than oil. The fishing industry is almost, if not more, valuable to the economy than the oil and they were, rightly, worried that they would have to give up a lot of their traditions (such as whaling) and it would also mean that their waters could be open for all EU registered fleets to fish in. The Norwegians are very careful about fishing quotas etc. so they didn't really want to risk losing all that work & investment from over fishing.

Incidentally...if anyone is interested, there's a deal between ireland and norway where they and we can go and study/work in each others country without a visa. not sure if that's an eu/eea thing or just an irish/norwegian thing..but, you would be surprised how "eu-fied" norway actually is.

Which is ironic, when many point to norway as an example of how it's okay to stay outside the eu.

[donalmc]

I think this level of transparency would be good for Ireland - including the house price one as well.

[DaveM]

Norway is easily one of if not the most successful countries in the world and all without EU membership. The reason is their social model and Norwegian euroscepticism is based around protecting that social model.

What a load of blather! Norway's relationship with the EU is dictated by a reluctance to see their oil wealth leave the country in the form of structural funds to less well off nations. Their oil wealth means they don't need the EU. Their social model exists only because the massive revenue to the state from their oil industry permits it to.

[marmurr1916]

Norway has huge amounts of oil and gas relative to its population.

If Ireland had as much oil and gas we could be as wealthy as Norway, although I doubt we'd be as fair no matter what.

[Gadfly]

What a load of blather! Norway's relationship with the EU is dictated by a reluctance to see their oil wealth leave the country in the form of structural funds to less well off nations. Their oil wealth means they don't need the EU. Their social model exists only because the massive revenue to the state from their oil industry permits it to.

Disagree on two counts. First, they pay quite a lot to the EU through the EEA, mainly in the form of funding for reforms in the newer member states. This makes them one the few countries to pay a fee in order NOT to be a member of something.

Second, the oil revenue funds the social model, true, but the social model predates the discovery of oil. What's more, it was the strong belief in social cohesion - the common good, one could call it - that led to the creation of a state company to exploit the resources. It was fortunate that they struck oil early, so that the international companies were not able to push for a deal that gave more to the private sector, but the creation of Statoil was the direct result of the social democratic philosophy of the government of the time.

The other notable point is that they have managed to stick with this model ever since. Sure, they did buy into the belief that the privatisation was the best possible way to ensure lasting economic prosperity to some extent - Statoil and Hydro were part privatised a few years back. And in the last two elections they came close to having neo-liberal ideologues have a dominent say in the formation of the government. They also have to stand up to EU pressure to "liberalise" this sector purely and simply because this serves the interests of consumers of North Sea gas like Germany.

But they maintain strong state control of their natural resources, and the population of the country benfits enormously from this.

More power to them.

[Dreaded_Estate]

I think that would be a great idea for Ireland.

Publish every single € of tax the country receives and who pays it along with every single € of that money is spent and who gets it.

[skev]

If such a perfect country one wonders why suicide rate is 20% higher than in Ireland.

VITAMIN D dude......

again i must mention the ignorance of some people

[Supermanpolitician]

In favour of those who are paid from the public purse having their salaries show, but not the tax returns. E.g. if a person claims extra tax credits due to illness, then either folks are going to know the person has been ill, or suspect that they might be cheating or something.

I have no problems with grants being made public so folks can see how much Johnny got to install solar panels, or see farmer Joe's single premium payment, but the tax side should be private.

[Interista]

Their social model exists only because the massive revenue to the state from their oil industry permits it to.

Not true. The neighbouring Scandinavian countries have no oil but have a similarly generous social model. Denmark, for example, is very similar to Ireland in terms of size, population and natural resources, but has a far more equitable tax and social welfare system.

Also, it's worth pointing out that while we tend to see Scandinavia as inherently blessed and privileged, it's not so long ago that these countries - particularly Norway - were among the poorest in Western Europe, on a par with Ireland. Hence the high rates of emigration to the US and Canada. It's not wealth or poverty per se, but something about Nordic societies which favours social cohesion and trust, which has facilitated their egalitarian system.

[Dreaded_Estate]

In favour of those who are paid from the public purse having their salaries show, but not the tax returns. E.g. if a person claims extra tax credits due to illness, then either folks are going to know the person has been ill, or suspect that they might be cheating or something.

I have no problems with grants being made public so folks can see how much Johnny got to install solar panels, or see farmer Joe's single premium payment, but the tax side should be private.

That is a very specific example for why the details shouldn't be published.

Personally I think any every single cent of income and expenditure should be published.