Environmental Pillar supports fracking ban in submission to government

The Environmental Pillar supports the Bill – The Prohibition of Extraction and Exploration of Onshore Petroleum 2016, and recommends that the Committee pass this Bill to the next stage of the Dáil without delay. As a network we are motivated by the mounting global and national peer reviewed evidence detailing the significant risks and negative […]

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Press Release: Environmental groups concerned that EU Parliament will not be allowed to scrutinise the CETA trade deal with Canada

PRESS RELEASE Today a resolution to seek an opinion from the European Court of Justice on the compatibility of CETA with EU Treaties [1] was rejected by the European Parliament. The push to fast-track the controversial CETA trade deal continues with both the EU Trade Committee and the Conference of the Presidents over the last […]

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Press Release: Climate change IS the challenge of our generation but Budget 2017 falls FAR short of what is needed

Budget 2017 may have brought measures to move Ireland’s transport and energy sectors towards a low carbon future but action across all areas of policy is needed to put the country on a sustainable path. The Environmental Pillar, an advocacy coalition of 28 national environmental charities, are calling Budget 2017 a missed opportunity to prepare […]

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Taxing environmentally damaging practices and giving the money back through investment should be a key initiative of Budget 2017

Environmental groups are calling on the government to tax environmentally damaging practices to change behaviour and raise government revenue. Three simple measures, a levy on single-use items, a levy on the aggregates, and a levelling of the excise duty on petrol and diesel, would net the government in the region of €415m every year.* And […]

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Press Release: Environmental groups welcome the decision to re-include 'environment' in the title of a government department but warn that protecting wildlife must move to the department too

The Environmental Pillar welcomes the decision to include environment in the title of Minister Denis Naughton’s Department.   However the decision to leave National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) in another department could lead to the conservation of wildlife and habitats falling off the political agenda.   The title of the new department will now […]

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Press Release: The loss of the Department of the Environment will damage Ireland's natural environment

The loss of a department responsible for the ‘Environment’ will damage Ireland’s natural environment. A healthy environment is essential to the well-being of the people of Ireland and to a thriving economy.   In the last 20 years Ireland has seen severe biodiversity loss, pressure on and pollution of water resources, and devastating impacts of severe […]

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Press Release: Using nature, stopping poor development, and long-term planning are key to tackling flooding

The Environmental Pillar today publish a series of twenty measures which if implemented could help prevent the worst effects of flooding. As communities around Ireland continue to deal with the aftermath of this winter’s devastating floods, the Environmental Pillar is calling for immediate measures to be taken to protect communities now and into the future. […]

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Press Release: Bill to ban fracking in Ireland welcomed by environmental groups

The Environmental Pillar welcome the introduction of a bill today to ban fracking in Ireland. The Environmental Pillar, which is made up of 28 national environmental NGOs, are calling on TDs to support the proposed law which will prohibit the use of hydraulic fracturing (fracking) in the exploration or extraction of oil and gas in […]

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Press Release: The Energy White Paper is an important step forward but we need to deliver a zero emission future faster

The Environmental Pillar welcome the publication today of the Energy White Paper which outlines a vision for an emission free future. The Environmental Pillar, which is made up of 28 national environmental groups, welcomes this as a first step in a road towards the end of the use of fossil fuels. With over 90 actions […]

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Catastrophic winter flooding will increase with climate change unless we substantially change the way we use land

The Environmental Pillar is calling on the government to bring in substantive land use changes to protect communities from increasingly frequent high rainfall events.

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Press Release: An Taisce Dingle road appeal welcomed as decision could impact other cases

The Environmental Pillar welcome the decision of An Taisce to challenge the High Court ruling on the N86 road as it could have a substantial knock on impact. Today An Taisce – the National Trust for Ireland – announced that it intends to pursue its case regarding the N86 Dingle road to the Court of […]

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Press Release: Budget 2016 is not future proof

The Environmental Pillar welcome Budget 2016 but warn that a number of measures do not effectively prepare the country for a low carbon future. The Environmental Pillar, a coalition of 28 Irish national environmental NGOs, is now calling on the government to support the measures announced in the budget with a robust plan to help […]

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International Aviation and Shipping to be exempt from emissions cuts in Paris negotiations

International shipping and aviation, huge sources of emissions, were dropped from last week’s draft Paris climate agreement. This is an incredibly backward step, leaving an emissions gap in the agreement equivalent to Germany and UK combined. Even more incredible given both sectors purchase their fuel tax free, and their emissions are set to treble by 2050. In […]

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Submission on Public Engagement

The Environmental Pillar welcomes the opportunity to respond to the consultation on Consultation by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform on the “Principles to Guide Public Engagement on Policy and Services Development” [button href=”http://environmentalpillar.ie/wp/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/Environmental-Pillar-response-to-Draft-DPER-Consultation-Guidlines-1.pdf” title=”Title” target=”blank” shape=”square, rounded, pill” size=”mini, small, regular, large, x-large, jumbo”  icon_only=”true” info=”popover, tooltip” info_place=”top, right, bottom, left” info_trigger=”hover, click, focus” […]

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Environmental Pillar welcome the passing of Climate Bill but warn real work still ahead

The Environmental Pillar welcomes the passing of the Climate Bill but warns that we need a solid emissions reduction plan in place now. Today the Climate Action and Low Carbon Bill 2015 passed Dáil Éireann. This is the culmination of many years of campaigning from Irish environmental groups. The Environmental Pillar, an advocacy coalition of […]

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Press Release: Environmental Pillar calls for savings from Smoky coal ban to be re-invested in home insulation

For immediate release  The Environmental Pillar welcomes Minister Alan Kelly’s announcement that the ban on smoky coal is to be extended nationwide. The Environmental Pillar has long campaigned for the nationwide implementation of this ban. Charles Stanley Smith, speaking for The Environmental Pillar said: “So far approximately 8,000 lives have been saved in Dublin since the introduction […]

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Press Release: Ireland can be proud of the UN's Global Goals, test now is achieving them in Ireland

NGOs urge the Taoiseach to commit to a national action plan –  to overcome Irish “implementation deficit disorder” Friday 25th September – New York Ireland can be proud of the role our diplomats played in developing the UN’s new Global Goals for Sustainable Development, according to the Environmental Pillar. Along with Kenya, Ireland co-chaired the […]

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National Mitigation Plan submission July 2015

The Environmental Pillar welcomes the opportunity to input into the draft National Mitigation Plan and looks forward to further input as the plan evolves. The Environmental Pillar strongly welcomes and supports the Ministers commitment to transition to a low carbon future. We anticipate that this will be implemented in a clear, directional robust national mitigation […]

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Budget Submission 2016

This submission recommends ways of broadening the tax base and using the limited financial resources in a way that focuses on long term sustainability, whilst creating employment and stimulating the economy in the short term. Broadening the tax base can also reduce the complexity of the tax system, compliance costs and the costs of tax […]

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Consolidated Policy Document of Environmental Pillar

This document is a compilation of the headlines of all Environmental Pillar Policies to date. Each policy is linked to its source document. This document is intended to be updated periodically. [button href=”http://environmentalpillar.ie/wp/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/Consolidated-Policy-Document-Environmental-Pillar-July-2015.pdf” title=”Title” target=”blank” shape=”square, rounded, pill” size=”mini, small, regular, large, x-large, jumbo” icon_only=”true” info=”popover, tooltip” info_place=”top, right, bottom, left” info_trigger=”hover, click, focus” info_content=”This […]

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Environmental Pillar representation at the National Economic Dialogue

The Environmental Pillar was represented at the recent National Economic Dialogue which was attended by the Taoiseach, Tanaiste, members of the Oireachtas and a range of social partners. The aim of the dialogue is to facilitate an open and inclusive exchange on the competing economic and social priorities facing the Government as they prepare for […]

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Debunking myths about the Pine Marten

Dr Kate McAney of the Vincent Wildlife Trust was featured on Shannonside Radio debate around whether or not to cull the pine marten. Longford Councillor and local gun club member Paraic Brady started the debate claiming that pine martens are wreaking havoc in Longford. He claimed that pine martens are not native, they face no natural […]

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Dangers of using pesticides on Forests

Environmental Pillar spokesperson Andrew St Ledger went on air in Today FM and Castlebar Radio to shed some light on the ill effects of toxic fertilizers being used in forests. Click the play button to listen to what Andrew said on air. TODAY FM : CASTLEBAR FM :

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Submission on the Draft National Mitigation Plan

The Environmental Pillar welcomes the opportunity to input into the Draft National Mitigation Plan and looks forward to further input as the plan evolves. The Environmental Pillar strongly welcomes and supports the Minister’s commitment to transition to a low carbon future. We anticipate that this will be implemented in a clear, directional robust national mitigation […]

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