Press Releases
Energy Minister's promotion of fossil fuels is short-sighted
13 June 2013: In reaction to a speech that Minister Rabbitte gave to over 70 companies yesterday, where he championed the benefits of further fossil fuel exploration around Ireland’s coasts, Environmental Pillar spokesperson Michael Ewing said: “We are very concerned that Minister Rabbitte is acting as a cheerleader for fossil fuel exploration in the seas […]
Environmental Pillar welcomes Ireland’s participation in the Climate and Clean Air Coalition
Statement from the Environmental Pillar, 5 June 2013: The Environmental Pillar welcomes Ireland’s participation in the Climate and Clean Air Coalition. We agree that air pollution and climate change need to be addressed in an integrated manner. Pollutants such as black carbon have a major impact on the climate as well as human health. We […]
Irish taxpayers and badgers are taking a hit for no benefit
Environmental Pillar calls on the Government to reassess badger culling for TB control in cattle 23 April 2013: The Environmental Pillar, a coalition of 26 national environmental groups in Ireland, is calling on the Minister for Finance, Michael Noonan, and the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, Brendan Howlin, to reassess the logic behind badger […]
Ireland should take the lead on EU air quality, says Environmental Pillar
10 April 2013: The Environmental Pillar, a coalition of 26 Irish environmental organisations, is calling on Minister Hogan to show leadership in improving air quality across the EU during the Irish presidency period. This call comes in the lead-up to an Informal Council of EU Environment Ministers in Dublin on Monday 22 April, when Minister […]
Coillte forests belong to the people – let's keep it that way
20 March 2013: The Environmental Pillar is calling on the Government to reverse its plan to sell public forest assets. Andrew St Ledger, a spokesperson for the Environmental Pillar, said, “This plan makes no sense on economic, social or environmental grounds. There are multiple benefits to be had from extending our woodlands; these include carbon […]
EPA should ask "Is Fracking Really a Good Idea for Ireland?"
8 March 2013 Fracking could accelerate climate change, destroy communities and landscapes, and prevent creation of sustainable employment and that is before we look at the impacts of the technology itself. “No good doctor would try to minimise the symptoms of a disease, without looking at the overall health of a patient,” said Charles Stanley-Smith […]
Protected nature sites give great value for money says new study
Protected nature sites give great value for money, says new study The economic benefits of the Natura 2000 Network 7 March 2013: The Environmental Pillar welcomes the findings of the EU study on the financial return to society of investments in the protection of sites that are designated as important for nature (Natura 2000 sites). […]
Victory for environmental democracy
Environmental Pillar press release 27 February 2013: The news that NAMA has been told that it is required to give the public access to information on the environmental aspects and impacts of its activities was greeted as a victory for environmental democracy by the Environmental Pillar, a coalition of 26 national environmental NGOs. “Instead of […]
Climate Action Bill won’t be worth the paper it’s written on warns Environmental Pillar
Press release from the Environmental Pillar Climate Action Bill won’t be worth the paper it’s written on warns Environmental Pillar Insertion of Targets Urged The Environmental Pillar has welcomed the publication of the heads of the Climate Action and Low Carbon Development Bill but has expressed its disappointment that after many months and much to […]
Environmental Pillar deeply disappointed at Hogan's abandonment of climate change targets
Environmental Pillar deeply disappointed at Hogan’s abandonment of climate change targets Calls on TDs to support Independent Climate Change Bill 11 February 2013: The Environmental Pillar has expressed its great frustration that Minister Hogan plans to bring a toothless Climate Change Bill to the Cabinet tomorrow. According to leaked information in the media today, the […]
New measures are needed to combat serious consequences of deadly ash dieback
18 January 2013: The Environmental Pillar, a coalition of 26 national environmental groups, is calling for the government to adopt a new set of measures to control ash dieback disease and to limit the very serious economic and environmental problems resulting from its introduction to Ireland. Ash dieback is a fungal disease that kills ash […]
European Court of Justice fines Ireland millions for breaking environmental laws
The Environmental Pillar, a coalition of 26 national environmental groups, warns that the fines are just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to expenses incurred by the Irish people for environmental damage in our country. The European Court ruled on two separate cases. For failing to put in place sufficient standards on environmental […]
No more blank cheques – our taxes should benefit the public
Environmental Pillar meets Joint Oireachtas Committee to discuss Common Agricultural Policy reform 18 December 2012: The Environmental Pillar, a coalition of 26 national environmental groups, says that public money paid out under the EU’s Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) should be given for delivering ‘public goods’ – including a healthy natural environment– not given as ‘blank […]
Government fails to deliver on Green Economy Plan
23 November 2012: The publication today of the Government’s policy statement on growth and employment in the Green Economy has failed to deliver on the promised Green Economy Plan, according to the Environmental Pillar, a coalition of 26 national environmental NGOs. The Environmental Pillar is disappointed that the policy statement, Delivering Our Green Potential, is […]
Reduce income tax, place tax on environmental pollution instead
12 November 2012: The Environmental Pillar, a coalition of 26 national environmental groups, is calling for major tax reform as one of their Budget recommendations to create sustainable employment and a robust economy. Their proposal involves a shift away from taxes on income and reasonable profits, in favour of raising taxes on the consumption of […]
Obstacles to effective public participation in strategic environmental decision-making
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Boost for human & environmental rights as Aarhus Convention comes into force in Ireland
Today the Aarhus Convention entered into force in Ireland, signifying an important step forward for environmental democracy in this country. The Aarhus Convention upholds the right of every person to have access to information about the environment, the right to participate in decision-making, and the right of access to justice in environmental matters. It sets […]
Pillar publishes policy on fracking
Environmental Pillar expresses “Grave concerns” about Fracking The Environmental Pillar has just published its policy on shale gas, calling for cessation of all fracking activities in Ireland. “The known impacts of fracking are so serious that the Government needs to act now to put a stop to all fracking activity in Ireland” said […]
Pillar report highlights "illegal and irresponsible" planning
Pillar report highlights “illegal and irresponsible” planning 7th July 2012 – Dublin. Environmental experts have said the development and implementation of the Government Food Harvest 2020 policy would be “illegal and irresponsible” if it was carried out without a serious look at how it impacts on the long-term well-being of the country. The warning was […]
After 14 years of campaigning, the people of Ireland finally have the same environmental human rights as the rest of Europe
After 14 years of campaigning, the final ratification process for the Aarhus Convention has been completed with the deposition of Irish ratification papers at the United Nations in New York yesterday. “The people of Ireland finally have the same environmental human rights as the rest of Europe” said Michael Ewing, speaking on behalf of the […]
Calls for public awareness campaign following Dáil vote for ratification of environmental human rights convention
There have been calls for the government to raise public awareness of rights granted to Irish citizens following the Dáil vote today to allow ratification of the Aarhus Convention. This international convention upholds the right of every person to have access to information about the environment, the right to participate in decision-making, and the right […]
Pillar report highlights "illegal and irresponsible" planning
Pillar report highlights “illegal and irresponsible” planning 7th July 2012 – Dublin. Environmental experts have said the development and implementation of the Government Food Harvest 2020 policy would be “illegal and irresponsible” if it was carried out without a serious look at how it impacts on the long-term well-being of the country. The warning was […]
Phil Hogan reveals true colours by delaying Climate Bill
The Environmental Pillar expressed disappointment at today’s announcement by the Minister for the Environment, Phil Hogan, that a Climate Change Bill is not a priority. This represents a significant backtrack on the Government’s commitment to deliver climate change legislation by 2012. Commenting on behalf of the Pillar today, Tara Connolly, convenor of the Pillar’s Climate […]
Hogan’s decision to axe Sustainable Development Council strange and mistaken
Environmental Pillar criticises the abolition of Comhar, the National Sustianable Development Council. The Environmental Pillar of Social Partnership has expressed disappointment and concern at yesterday’s decision by the minister for the Environment Phil Hogan to abolish Comhar (the National Sustainable Development Council). Commenting on behalf of the Environmental Pillar, Pat Finnegan of Grian, a member of Comhar council […]