Environment

A PROPOSAL to resume the operation of Derrybrien Wind Farm under a new company such as the Western Commission has been criticised as akin to reselling a “dangerous, defective, written-off car to a new customer”. On the 19th anniversary of the landslide at Derrybrien and the seventh anniversary of the Supreme Court Judgement, Friends of Derrybrien Environment have claimed supporters of the Save Derrybrien Windfarm are engaging in a “futile and misleading campaign with no prospect of success” to protect an illegal and loss-making development. In a hard hitting statement issued to the Clare Champion, Martin Collins of Friends of Derrybrien Environment has alleged the “bogus calls” to reopen/recommission the wind farm is a continuation of the controversy that the commentators themselves complain about. “It is very disturbing that some legislators refuse to recognise the imperative of ensuring that planning and environmental regulations must apply to all equally,” he stated. “The government and the ESB have reluctantly accepted that this …

With Ireland working to reduce its carbon emissions and gain energy security, wind power is the obvious choice, so Bridget Ginnity looks at where we stand in harnessing this renewable resource WIND power has had a big impact on Ireland. Around the 9th century the Vikings harnessed the power of the wind to sail thousands of miles and landed on our shores, the first long distance travel in our hemisphere. And, 1,200 years later, the Danes are still harnessing the power of the wind. They currently have over twice Ireland’s wind generating capacity and a major offshore development with enough generating power for twice their population is well advanced. Ireland’s wind capacity Although not as successful as our distant relatives, Ireland has made substantial progress in wind generation. An average of 40% of our power now comes from wind, a significant achievement. The target is 80% renewable electricity by 2030, a challenging target but achievable if we proceed quickly. Wind …

LEGAL options in the wake of the granting of permission for a wind farm on the slopes of Slieve Bernagh, close to Bodyke, will be considered at a public meeting on Friday evening, October 28.  Deputy Michael McNamara has arranged the event, which will take place at the Cobbler’s Rest, Bodyke, to allow those who objected to the development to examine their next course of action. On September 29, An Bord Pleanála granted permission for the 19-turbines on a site of 750 hectares, visible from Feakle to stretches of Lough Derg. Because the application was made under the Strategic Infrastructure Act, an appeal is impossible. The only option, in terms of challenging the board’s decision, is to seek a judicial review. In such a situation, a judge would review An Bord Pleanála’s actions to see if it followed the required rules and procedures. “A large number of people across a wide area objected to this development,” Deputy McNamara said. “This …

Deputy Michael McNamara is supporting a new bill by a former Attorney General that aims stop the decommissioning of 70 turbines on the controversial €200m Derrybrien Wind Farm site. Deputy McNamara said he didn’t think this wind farm should have been built in the first instance and doesn’t believe it would secure planning permission now, before stressing this is not the issue. “The issue is that it is there, the damage has been incurred and we have taken all of the downsides of it. “That includes the local community, the communities around Slieve Aughty and the environment. The issue now is if we can obtain a benefit from it during an energy crisis. “It is now proposed to build 19 wind turbines on a blanket bog at the top of Slieve Bernagh. It is ridiculous that having done the damage on Slieve Aughty, create further damage decommissioning it and then repeat the exercise on the top of Slieve Bernagh.” The …

AN Ennis-based company has appealed to the government to exempt paper cups from the so-called “latte levy” being introduced for single use cups. Cup Print has joined the Irish paper packaging industry in urging Minister of State Ossian Smyth to exempt certified recyclable and certified compostable products with established waste collection streams from the forthcoming levy on cups for hot drinks. As the Public Consultation on draft regulations to levy single-use disposable cups opens to industry and the public for a six-week period, the Clare company argues that appropriately certified compostable and recyclable cups have an important role to play in helping Ireland achieve its sustainability goals. The latte levy, proposed in the Circular Economy Act which was adopted in July 2022, is expected to be introduced early next year with a levy of 20c on cups for hot drinks. Green Party Deputy Smyth has said that the intention of the legislation is to encourage customers to switch to reusable …

WITH Dublin’s Christmas lights set to be switched off early this year in response to the energy crisis, Clare County Council has confirmed that it is “continuing to monitor situation” when it comes to Ennis’ annual festive display. While the government has not issued any directive relating to Christmas lighting displays, Minister Eamon Ryan has suggested others follow Dublin’s example in a bid to save energy. Usually Dublin city’s Christmas lights stay switched on from 2pm until 4am, or 7am on Grafton Street. However, this year they are to be turned on at 4pm, and off at 2am. The Clare Champion contacted Clare County Council to ask if there are any plans to curtail festive lights in Ennis. A spokesperson for the council stated, “Ennis Municipal District is continuing to monitor the situation and will make adjustments as appropriate.” The Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications was speaking recently in response to a question by Clare Independent TD Michael …

THE devastation that has been caused by ash dieback has been highlighted by a local councillor who is urging Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) and the council to replenish affected trees in Ennis and its environs. Councillor Ann Norton raised the issue at a meeting of the Ennis Municipal District where she outlined that trees have died from the disease along the motorway, Barefield and other areas of the locality. “I ask Ennis Municipal District to write to the TII to replenish the ash trees that have died from the ash dieback along the Motorway  and ask Ennis Municipal District to do the same in Barefield and other area around the Ennis municipal District and appropriately dispose of the dead ones,” she stated. Tommy Scott, Senior Executive Technician, responded, “Ash dieback is a disease that effects the Common Ash tree (Fraxinus Excelsior). It was first identified in Ireland in 2012. “The disease will cause most of the Ash trees in this …

THE ability of Clarecastle’s coastal flood barrage, built in the middle of the last century, to protect Ennis and its surroundings needs to be examined “urgently” a local councillor has insisted. Councillor Johnny Flynn has urged the local authority to prepare a report on the barrage in light of the current “climate crisis”, while renewing his call that the critical infrastructure be moved. Senior Engineer Sean Lenihan has acknowledged that the barrage is a “key piece of infrastructure” saying the benefits of Ennis’ flood defence schemes “absolutely depends on a fully functioning and optimally fit for purpose barrage.” The monthly meeting of the Ennis Municipal District heard that the council are in the process of commissioning engineers to prepare a brief for the appointment of experts to carry out a structural assessment of the barrage. Speaking at the meeting Councillor Flynn outlined he was “very concerned” about the historic barrage which was designed and build in the mid 20th century …