The Clare Champion Clare news, sport, entertainment and local notes
Ireland’s leading environmental coalition has welcomed the High Court’s recognition of environmental rights in the Irish Constitution. In a judgement today (Tuesday), Mr Justice Barrett recognised for the first time a constitutional right to environmental protection “that is consistent with the human dignity and well-being of citizens at large”. In his judgement, Mr Justice Barrett said that such a right “is an essential condition for the fulfilment of all human rights”. The Pillar – a coalition of 26 national environmental organisations – views the judgement as a significant step forward for citizens’ rights and represents a special moment in Irish judicial history. The Pillar has previously called for a referendum to give a constitutional right to environmental protection to the people of Ireland in its submission for the Citizens’ Assembly on climate change. Michael Ewing, coordinator of the Environmental Pillar, said,”This recognition of environmental rights in the Irish Constitution should encourage politicians to take real long-term action to tackle environmental …
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