Environment: Reviewing the EPA
Wednesday, November 9th, 2011The first review of the Environmental Protection Agency acknowledges its work and finds some room for improvement. The Environmental Protection Agency’s structure is “broadly fit for purpose” but changes to the law could enhance its ability, according to a major external review. It was commissioned by then Environment Minister John Gormley in February 2010 and published in May 2011. Cutting back on the agency’s resources would be “false economy” given the longer term impact on biodiversity and human health, and the requirements of EU law. Enforcement was successful but could...[full story]
Environment: Preparing for climate change
Wednesday, November 9th, 2011An integrated approach is required when making environmental policy that adapts to the “unprecedented” impacts of climate change, according to Thomas Henrichs, the lead author of the European Environment Agency’s latest environmental analysis. eolas reports. The State and Outlook 2010: Synthesis report examined social, economic, technological, environmental and political “megatrends” which are increasingly important in shaping Europe’s environmental priorities. The quality of Ireland’s environment has generally been good over the past decade, the report found, but it...[full story]
Environment: Packaging tax
Wednesday, November 9th, 2011A tax on packaging is being considered by the Environment Minister as part of his new national waste policy. Stephen Dineen reports. Public consultation on a possible packaging levy has concluded, with the Department of the Environment receiving over sixty submissions during the process. Environment Minister Phil Hogan has told eolas that he wants to shift policy towards the production of less packaging and more re-use, rather than recycling. The Programme for Government commited to extending producer responsibility initiatives and implementing a levy on packaging. Speaking to eolas,...[full story]
Politics: A New Environment: Ciarán Lynch
Wednesday, November 9th, 2011In the first in a series of interviews with Oireachtas committee chairs, Stephen Dineen talks to Ciarán Lynch about the Committee’s work. Ciarán Lynch does not claim to be an expert on the environment, but says he’s a quick learner. In the changed political world of the 31st Dáil, and a reformed committee system, he has the perfect storm. Where Oireachtas committees in the last Dáil usually had less than 20 members and met every couple of weeks, the new 27-member Committee on Environment, Transport, Culture and the Gaeltacht, of which he is chair, meets at least once a week...[full story]
Cork: Global Utilities and Energy Expertise Applied Locally
Friday, August 19th, 2011Alan Fairman, Regional Director for Dalkia, outlines the critical role of utilities in the industrial environment and how Dalkia are bringing their international know- how to bear for companies in Cork. For most companies operating in the industrial environment, their utilities plant is at the heart of their facility. Without utilities, nothing gets produced. What do we mean by utilities? Typically, utilities incorporate steam, refrigeration, water, heating, lighting and power systems. Utilities provide the energy and raw materials so the company can get their produce out the door. Managing...[full story]
Cork: The case for an Environmental Climate Change Park
Friday, August 19th, 2011Environmental consultant Declan Waugh outlines the local response to his proposal for an Environmental Climate Change Park in Skibbereen. Land and water are intrinsically linked and nowhere more than in Skibbereen through which the River Ilen meanders its way to the sea. Skibbereen, County Cork, is the most southerly town in Ireland, once part of the Gaelic lordship of the McCarthy Chieftains and ‘Capital of the Carberies’, it has a long history of flooding associated with the River Ilen and its tributaries. Its Irish name, An Sciobairín, means ‘little boat harbour’ and in the...[full story]
Cover story: A new contract with nature – Gabriel D’Arcy
Friday, August 19th, 2011Gabriel D’Arcy, Managing Director of Bord na Móna, tells Owen McQuade about the company’s capacity for diversification and its belief that it is qualified to become the state’s new water utility. In recent years Bord na Móna has produced a “very credible, gritty performance”, recording a minimum increase in earnings of 12.5 per cent in each of the last five years, whilst diversifying from peat production to more sustainable business ventures. Peat now accounts for less than 50 per cent of the company’s revenue. The four main areas of future business are: Renewable energy:...[full story]
Environment: Water Charges
Friday, May 13th, 2011While the Government presses ahead with plans to introduce domestic water charges, clarity is still needed on the finer details. Emma Blee writes. Plans to charge for drinking water will take effect when water meters have been fitted to homes throughout the country. Charges for domestic water were abolished in 1997 but the financial bail-out agreed by the last Government now requires the taxation to be re-instated. Speaking in the Dáil on 6 April, Minister of State for the Environment Fergus O’Dowd explained that water meters will now be installed in every home in the country. He...[full story]
Transport: Transport delays
Wednesday, December 1st, 2010eolas reviews the Government’s transport infrastructure plans for the next six years. The focus on transport infrastructure “has shifted” from roads to public transport, Brian Cowen said earlier this year. The 2006 National Development Plan (NDP) had allocated almost €33 billion to transport. However, in July the Government’s ‘New Infrastructure Priorities 2010-2016’ document announced that the transport budget has been reduced by 35.5 per cent, to €11.7 billion. This is divided almost equally between €5.77 billion for public transport and €5.97 billion for roads....[full story]
