Environment

MINISTER for Transport Eamon Ryan faced questions on a range of issues when he met Clare county councillors on last week’s visit. Topics like the future of farming, limits on development in Clare and the impact of increased carbon levies were all on the agenda. While the Green Party have some support in Clare there is no doubt there is also a large degree of animosity towards them, and that was reflected in much of what was said by the councillors. However there was also a large degree of respect towards Ryan for coming to Clare to engage with them, and for the fact that he stood by his views even though many of those he was addressing disagreed with him. Mr Ryan told the meeting that the scale and speed of the change required to deal with climate change is “beyond compare”. He also said that he believes a consensus must be built, if it is to be effective. …

IT was back to school for Environment Minister Eamon Ryan when he visited Ennis last week. The Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications and Minister for Transport paid a visit to Gaelscoil Mhíchíl Cíosóg where he joined in with their walking bus. The walking bus has proven to be a massive success with pupils at the Gort Road primary school since its introduction two years ago. And on Friday the Green Party Minister got to see first hand how the children have been doing their bit to help the environment by walking to school. During the visit the minister also spoke with principal Dónal Ó hAiniféin on the importance of cycle lanes for the town, as well plans for the school’s new extension. Mr Ó hAiniféin told us,“Like other schools we have been dealing with traffic issues for many years, the dropping off and pick up in those 15 or 20 minute period when things are quite busy. “Instead …

WHILE Eamon Ryan wanted to stress how aware he is of the importance of farmers in preserving the environment, he would have been left with few illusions about how suspicious farmers are of his party after last week’s meeting. Councillor Pat Burke left little room for doubt where he stood when he addressed the meeting. “I’m a full time farmer and I’m not a fan of the Green Party” He claimed that the party is “very anti-rural” while he stressed the care that himself and many other rural dwellers have taken good care of their environment for many years. Councillor Burke said that he had contacted the office of Minister of State for Land Use & Biodiversity about ash dye back, but hadn’t heard anything at all in return. He also told the Minister that his department has been able to find money for cycle lanes and the likes around Ennis, but hasn’t been able to do anything for a …

TWO large Bauxite Residue Disposal Areas (BRDA) totalling an estimated 450 acres are akin to a “ticking time bomb” on the site of the largest European alumina facility located near the Shannon Estuary, a Dáil deputy has claimed. In a hard-hitting statement issued in the Dáil this week, Deputy Paul Murphy of People Before Profit claimed “there is a toxic time bomb ticking at Rusal Aughinish Alumina Limited (AAL) near Askeaton”. . “I remember visiting it when it was Aughinish Alumina, almost ten years ago, and meeting local campaigner Pat Geoghegan, who I believe the Taoiseach met when he was Minister for Health. I saw a massive, red mud storage area, which is now so big it can be seen from space. “It comprises 50 million tonnes of toxic waste. Uranium, lead, mercury and hazardous salt cake are contained within it. “It seeps into the estuary, it kills wildlife and it threatens public health. It is a result of bauxite …

TWELVE Clare communities are getting support so they can step up local efforts to protect native plants and animals by developing biodiversity plans. The supports are being provided by The Community Foundation for Ireland in partnership with the National Parks and Wildlife Service at the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage as part of a joint Environment and Nature Fund, which is now in its third year. Funding is being provided under two strands so Clare communities can respond to a biodiversity emergency which has seen many native species under immediate and ongoing threat. Under the first strand grants are being provided so that 10 Clare groups can assess the impact of the emergency amongst native species in the countryside, woodlands and along riverbeds.  These groups are: Lisdoonvarna Fáilte CLG; Quin Tidy Towns and Development; Ballynacally Tidy Towns; Newmarket-on-Fergus Tidy Towns; Kilkeedy Community Group; Ogonnelloe Community Centre CLG (trading as Ogonnelloe Exchange); Cooraclare Tidy Towns; Ruan Tidy Towns; Barefield …

THERE has been a welcome in East Clare for a period of additional consultation on a multimillion Euro windfarm proposed for the slopes of Slieve Bearnagh, writes Fiona McGarry. Controversy surrounded the initiation public consultation phase for the Carrownagowan Windfarm, which was submitted as Strategic Infrastructure in November 2020, because public health restrictions prohibited gatherings and meetings during the window for submissions. Over the course of last year, An Bord Pleanála sought Further Information on the 19-turbine proposal from developers, Coillte. The board has now judged the material received to be ‘significant’, meaning that it must go on public display, with an opportunity for members of the public to make submissions on it until 5.30pm on March 14. “The information received by An Bord Pleanála was deemed to be significant so it’s now very important that people review this material and make themselves aware of what is involved,” said Councillor Pat Hayes. “The period for submissions on the new information …

THE government has been urged to reverse the planned end of coal-powered electricity generation in Moneypoint Power Generating Station by 2025 in the absence of alternative energy sources being available to fill the gap, writes Dan Danaher. The call was made by Independent Deputy Michael McNamara, who has criticised the Government’s policy of closing power stations during an energy crisis in the hope that they will eventually be replaced with green energy sources at an unspecified time in the future. In the absence of assurances that Ireland will have alternative energy sources in place by 2025, Deputy McNamara believes the government should reverse its decision concerning the proposed end for coal-powered electricity at West Clare power generating station. Speaking in the Dáil on Thursday night during a debate on a Bill introducing the €100 electricity credit scheme for householders, Deputy McNamara said growing concerns over Ireland’s energy security are being exacerbated by the closure of the country’s power stations and …

VIEWS are being sought on measures to improve water quality in Clare, with two public meetings taking place online this week. On Tuesday, February 15, the Local Authority Waters Programme (LAWPRO) meeting will focus on the Shannon, Killaloe and Ennis Municipal Districts. The meeting will cover the following catchments Lower Shannon, Lough Derg & Fergus Catchments. A meeting on Thursday evening will focus on the West Clare Municipal District and will cover the following catchments the Inagh River, Shannon Estuary and the Malbay catchment. The meetings will also look at the draft River Basin Management Plan (2022-2027). This blueprint sets out the environmental objectives to protect and restore rivers, lakes, estuaries and coastal waters together with the actions and measures required to ensure those objectives are achieved. The online public consultation meetings offer an opportunity for local people to input into the draft plan, to make a submission and to get involved in helping to protect and restore local water …