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| Ireland may face 30 cases of environmental law breaches |
THE European Commission is currently pursuing a total of 30 cases against the state relating to possible breaches of environmental law, according to Department of the Environment figures. A spokesman confirmed four of the cases have emerged since the Green Party leader and Environment Minister John Gormley took over the department in June 2006. Three of these relate to discussions on points of law rather than fundamental environmental breaches and the spokesman noted the total number of cases faced by the state has decreased since Gormley became minister. // Read More // |
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| Posted By Tony Lowes on 22/07/2008 ( Reads : 77 ) | Comments (0) | EU Environmental |
| ESRI says Ireland cannot meet onerous EU emissions target |
IRELAND CANNOT meet the onerous emissions reduction targets by 2020 set by the EU unless the most "lunatic" draconian measures are implemented, an Oireachtas committee heard yesterday. Prof Richard Tol and Prof John Fitzgerald of the Economic and Social Research Institute (ESRI) told the Committee on Climate and Energy Security that a carbon tax would be the cheapest and most effective way of Ireland moving towards the targets. Prof Tol said its benefits were that it would be uniform, predictable and easily understandable. // Read More // |
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| Posted By Tony Lowes on 22/07/2008 ( Reads : 35 ) | Comments (0) | Global Warming |
| Carbon tax ‘would leave poor with higher heat bills' |
THE carbon tax favoured by junior Government partners the Green party would likely result in poorer households having to pay more for heating, a Government advisory group has acknowledged. The Greens have consistently fought for the introduction of a carbon tax on energy sources that emit carbon dioxide such as coal, gas and peat. Consumers and businesses alike would have to pay the tax, the goal being to encourage more efficient use of energy and lower emissions. Fianna Fáil previously considered the introduction of a carbon tax but decided against it in 2004. // Read More // |
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| Posted By Tony Lowes on 22/07/2008 ( Reads : 15 ) | Comments (0) | Green Taxes |
| State sold Haulbowline steel plant on the basis it was not polluted |
THE FINE Gael-Labour government of 1995 gave the buyers of Irish Steel an undertaking that there was no pollution on site. The Irish Steel plant on Haulbowline Island in Cork Harbour was sold by the State to Ispat in 1995 on the basis that it complied with environmental laws - even though the then government had been alerted to a build-up of dangerous wastes. An investigation of the plant's landfill site, carried out for Irish Steel by engineers KT Cullen in 1995, found samples showing high concentrations of copper, chromium, cadmium, lead and zinc, up to 17 times acceptable levels. // Read More // |
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| Posted By Tony Lowes on 22/07/2008 ( Reads : 38 ) | Comments (0) | Pollution |
| Coillte action to enforce sale of land |
 COILLTE HAS brought a legal action aimed at enforcing a contract for the €4.75 million sale of land in Co Cavan used as a holiday village and leisure complex.
The premises were previously used as a holiday village and leisure complex with 20 chalets and eight log cabins and were sold "as is" and with planning permission to expand to include a further 20 chalets, a fully-serviced recreational building and other facilities.
The four defendants have claimed in other proceedings they are entitled to rescind the contract because a review of Cavan County Council files last month disclosed the presence of E.coli and coliform in water samples from the holiday village premises at Killykeen.// Read More // |
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| Posted By Tony Lowes on 22/07/2008 ( Reads : 28 ) | Comments (0) | Forestry |
| South Dublin incinerator plan raises pollution and traffic fears |
INCINERATOR which is proposed for the Rathcoole area of south Co Dublin has become the subject of significant protest and criticism among local residents. An application was lodged with An Bord Pleanála last May by a US company, Energy Answers International. It is seeking permission to construct the facility at a place known locally as Behan's Quarry, close to the main Naas Road/N7 motorway. The planning application comes under the Strategic Infrastructure Bill 2006 which enables the fast-tracking of planning applications for projects deemed to be of a particular infrastructural significance, and as such bypasses any requirement to go through the local council's planning procedure. // Read More // |
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| Posted By Tony Lowes on 22/07/2008 ( Reads : 32 ) | Comments (0) | Waste |
| OECD: Biofuels Ineffective at Curbing Global Warming |
Government financial support of biofuel production in the world's wealthiest countries is costly, has a limited impact on reducing greenhouse gases and improving energy security, and raises world crop prices, finds a new study of policies to promote greater production and use of biofuels in OECD countries.
The OECD is the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development based in Paris, which defines itself as "a unique forum where the governments of 30 democracies work together to address the economic, social and environmental challenges of globalization." // Read More // |
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| Posted By Tony Lowes on 22/07/2008 ( Reads : 12 ) | Comments (0) | Biofuels |
| Released eagles span countryside |
WHITE-TAILED sea eagles are winging it to all corners of the country. The birds, released in Killarney National Park as part of a reintroduction programme, have travelled upwards of 400km from their Kerry base. All the birds have tracking devices attached. Further sightings have been reported in the Ox Mountains in Co Sligo, the Aran Islands and in Lough Ree, Co Offaly. Previously, eagles had been seen in Limavady, Co Derry and Lough Neagh, Co Down. The birds are believed to be still in those areas. // Read More // |
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| Posted By Tony Lowes on 22/07/2008 ( Reads : 31 ) | Comments (0) | Biodiversity |
| Wind farm sites lie idle |
AS energy prices rise, eight wind farm sites around Co Limerick are lying idle due to bureaucratic wrangling, a government backbench TD claimed. Niall Collins of Fianna Fáil accused the energy regulator of blocking proposed wind farms from connecting to the national grid. Mr Collins said the sites were assessed as being suitable for wind farms. Some have already obtained planning permission but have not progressed to construction stage as licences were not granted by the energy regulator.He said: "It's a disgrace that this situation has been allowed to arise and smacks of double-speak." // Read More // |
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| Posted By Tony Lowes on 22/07/2008 ( Reads : 30 ) | Comments (0) | Energy |
| Sligo tops poll for planning decisions |
SLIGO County Council provides the best planning service and Clare the worst, according to a study. The survey, commissioned by the Royal Institute of the Architects of Ireland, found 80% of architects feel that planning decisions nationwide do not support good quality building design. Institute president Seán Ó Laoire said that there were "considerable variations" among planning departments nationwide. However, according to Clare County Council's senior planner John Bradley, the result of the survey "doesn't stack up". // Read More // |
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| Posted By Tony Lowes on 22/07/2008 ( Reads : 34 ) | Comments (0) | Planning |
| Man credits drift-net ban for huge salmon |
KILKENNY man has landed one of the largest salmon ever caught in Irish waters. Bill Canning, Barracore, Goresbridge, hauled in the 12.79kg (28lb 3oz) monster in the river Bandon in west Cork last Tuesday. The catch has been confirmed by the Central Fisheries Board as the largest salmon caught on a rod and line in Ireland since 1991. Mr Canning credits last year's legislation banning drift-net fishing for rejuvenating the salmon stocks in Irish rivers. "Ever since drift-net fishing was banned, we've heard rumours of huge salmon running the rivers around here," Mr Canning said. // Read More // |
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| Posted By Tony Lowes on 22/07/2008 ( Reads : 60 ) | Comments (0) | Fisheries |
| Should the fisheries quota system be scrapped? |
 HEAD TO HEAD The current system is crude, wasteful and unfair, and threatens the future of our coastal communities, argues Lorcán Ó Cinneide . NO: The current quotas are actually much higher than scientists recommend. Without severe restrictions, the marine ecosystem will collapse and there will be no fish for anyone, argues Tony Lowes// Read More // |
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| Posted By Tony Lowes on 22/07/2008 ( Reads : 19 ) | Comments (0) | Fisheries |
| Gormley and councillors look set for protracted battle over Sligo plan |
IN an unprecedented move, Mayo County Council has been personally ordered to amend its County Development Plan by a cabinet Minister. Minister for the Environment, John Gormley, TD (pictured), has interjected on the authority's plans to halt rural decline in its 2008-2014 plan, by issuing a direction under Section 31 of the Planning and Development Act 2000. This is only the third time that the Minister's powers, under Section 31, have been invoked. The move now leaves the status of the current plan, which is already in existence in law, hanging in the balance. // Read More // |
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| Posted By Tony Lowes on 22/07/2008 ( Reads : 38 ) | Comments (0) | Planning |
| Poet donates rare works in support of M3 campaign |
 RENOWNED POET and scholar Seamus Heaney has become the latest celebrity to join in the campaign against the controversial M3 motorway. The Nobel Prize winner last week donated rare and signed works for sale at auction, following in the footsteps of fellow Irish artists Jim Fitzpatrick and Louis Le Brocquy, who have both donated works. The limited edition collection includes Moore's Melodies, containing an introduction by the poet; a first edition of selected poems from 1966-1987 and In Their Element by Seamus Heaney and Derek Mahon. // Read More // |
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| Posted By Tony Lowes on 22/07/2008 ( Reads : 19 ) | Comments (0) | Archaeology |
| Strict new proposals 'will put end to one-off housing' |
A TIGHTENING-UP of planning rules will see a ban on local authorities approving one-off rural housing unless strict criteria are met.
The draft plans, announced by Environment Minister John Gormley yesterday, will oblige county councils to take account of national planning policies when preparing development plans, spelling the end of housing estates and one-off houses located far from roads, water, electricity supply and public transport links.
The move comes after two cases in the past year where the minister told local authorities to revise their county development plans. // Read More // |
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| Posted By Tony Lowes on 22/07/2008 ( Reads : 56 ) | Comments (0) | Planning |
| 'Nothing new' in overground vs underground study |
 THE Ecofys Report commissioned by the Minister for Communications and Natural Resources, Eamon Ryan, published last week, has been described as "no more than a contribution to the ongoing public debate about the merits of underground cables versus overground pylons and power lines" by the North-East Pylon Pressure group (NEPP).
Eirgrid has welcomed the report, saying it was continuing the consultation process on its proposed 400kV powerlines across the north-east, and that it was vital the lines now go ahead. // Read More // |
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| Posted By Tony Lowes on 22/07/2008 ( Reads : 28 ) | Comments (0) | Planning |
| African weed threat to Corrib |
 LOUGH CORRIB is in deep trouble, according to the latest newsletter from the Carra Mask Corrib Water Protection Group. Infestation of Lagarosiphon major, a deadly weed with origins in Africa, has now been identified at 64 locations in Corrib and has the potential to wipe out the salmonid population unless immediate action is taken, the group says.
The spread of this invader is difficult to control, as the smallest piece is capable of taking root and forming a new plant. It is vital that boat users avoid passage through the weed and cleanse boats and engines prior to moving to other lakes, the newsletter said. // Read More // |
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| Posted By Tony Lowes on 22/07/2008 ( Reads : 26 ) | Comments (0) | Biodiversity |
| Climate documentary 'broke rules' |
The Great Global Warming Swindle, a controversial Channel 4 film, broke Ofcom rules, the media regulator says. In a long-awaited judgement, Ofcom says Channel 4 did not fulfil obligations to be impartial and to reflect a range of views on controversial issues. The film also treated interviewees unfairly, but did not mislead audiences "so as to cause harm or offence".
Plaintiffs say the Ofcom judgement is "inconsistent" and "lets Channel 4 off the hook on a technicality." // Read More // |
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| Posted By Tony Lowes on 22/07/2008 ( Reads : 18 ) | Comments (0) | Global Warming |
| Fine Gael claims turf cutting on protected bogs can continue |
DOMESTIC turf-cutting can still continue on bogs despite a campaign of misinformation by Department officials saying the opposite, according to Fine Gael Deputy Denis Naughten.
Speaking in the Dail last week, Environment Minister John Gormley said that there has been confusion about the turf-cutting ban.
Deputy Naughten repeatedly asked the Minister to clarify whether the ban on turf-cutting in bogs referred to all types of turf-cutting or only with the use of sausage machines. // Read More // |
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| Posted By Tony Lowes on 22/07/2008 ( Reads : 41 ) | Comments (0) | Parks & Designations |
| Who needs coal when you can mine Earth's deep heat? |
SURROUNDED on all sides by desert, over 1000 kilometres from the nearest city, lies the tiny town of Innamincka, South Australia.
Innamincka has a permanent population of just 12, but each year up to 50,000 tourists swell their numbers, keen to experience the Australian outback, if not its lack of creature comforts. To keep these visitors cool, the tiny town runs up diesel bills of roughly $250,000 each year.
Come next January, however, the town could be powered for free, with electricity generated from heat mined from subterranean "hot rocks".// Read More // |
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| Posted By Caroline Lewis on 21/07/2008 ( Reads : 31 ) | Comments (0) | Energy |
