Posts tagged ‘Environment’
Environment: Keeping it local: Phil Hogan interview
Monday, October 29th, 2012Environment Minister Phil Hogan outlines his plans for local government reform and a low-carbon economy to Stephen Dineen. On the day after he announced the biggest reform of local government structures in 114 years, Phil Hogan looks particularly pleased. ‘Putting People First’ proposes a reduction in the number of local authorities from 114 to 31. The concept of municipal districts will be introduced but the number of councillors will fall from 1,627 to no more than 950. Councillors’ powers to overturn planning decisions by officials will end. The document speaks of accountability...[full story]
Environment: Irish Water: For public consumption
Monday, October 29th, 2012Establishing Irish Water is a significant and historic reform opportunity that will provide Ireland with a world class water service for the future, says John Barry, Bord Gáis Networks Managing Director and Programme Director for the establishment of Irish Water. It was a huge privilege for Bord Gáis to be tasked with the responsibility to establish Ireland’s first water utility, and we must now honour that vote of confidence. Not only must Bord Gáis play its part in the reform programme, it must begin to articulate why reform is necessary and the benefits it will bring. Reform...[full story]
Environment: John O’Connell interview: Efficient water services
Monday, October 29th, 2012The Commission for Energy Regulation’s Generation Manager John O’Connell discusses the regulator’s plans for greater efficiencies and customer protection in water services with Stephen Dineen. Significant challenges are facing the Commission for Energy Regulation (CER) ahead of regulating water services, not least that it is unfamiliar territory. “We have a good background from regulating the energy sector but obviously there will be unique challenges and issues with water,” John O’Connell tells eolas, “so the first challenge really is to understand.” The regulator must...[full story]
Environment: Who’s who in the environment
Monday, October 29th, 2012An overview of the key players in environmental policy within the political, public, private and voluntary sectors. Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government: Phil Hogan TD Phil Hogan TD is the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government, having previously been Fine Gael spokesman for the environment. He was elected to the Seanad in 1987 and the Dáil for Carlow-Kilkenny in 1989, and has held a number of positions within the party. He served as Minister of State in the Department of Finance in the last Fine Gael-led coalition government (1994-1995)...[full story]
Environment: EU action on Ireland’s environment
Monday, October 29th, 2012Ireland’s environmental record is improving but it continues to face legal action as Commissioner Potocnik demands clear and decisive action. eolas sums up the situation. “We are now faced with convincing and overwhelming scientific evidence of environmental damage caused by no-one else but us,” EU Environment Commissioner Janez Potočnik told MEPs in 2010. “And a whole new generation of Europeans demand clear and decisive action to preserve and reclaim the planet which we have done so much to hurt.” During Potočnik’s tenure, the European Commission has continued to press...[full story]
Environment: Veolia: Global expertise for a new era in water
Monday, October 29th, 2012Veolia’s global expertise and local presence makes it well-placed for changes to the water services sector. Veolia Water Ireland welcomes the establishment of a new public utility company, Irish Water, which is set to transform the State’s water services landscape. This shake-up of Ireland’s water industry will see responsibility for water services passing from 34 local authorities to a single national authority, Irish Water. It also opens up a wealth of exciting opportunities to reduce the cost and improve the quality of treated water production, sewage treatment and sludge disposal,...[full story]
Environment: Mark Griffin: Towards a public water utility
Monday, October 29th, 2012New water structures are essential due to increasing environmental requirements and decreasing exchequer funding, Mark Griffin, Assistant Secretary General at the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government tells the Environment Ireland conference. Capital investment demands are rising but available funds are decreasing; the economic and environmental cases for careful water management are compelling. That was the message of Mark Griffin, the man overseeing water reforms at the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government to delegates at the Environment...[full story]
Environment: Ronan Mulhall: New waste resource opportunities
Monday, October 29th, 2012The new waste policy means greater regulation of waste collection, according to Ronan Mulhall, who leads on waste policy at the Department of the Environment. While it is not ideal to be introducing a new policy in the current economic circumstances, Ireland’s new waste policy is about minimising environmental impacts and maximising economic opportunities, Ronan Mulhall, the Principal Officer for waste policy at the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government told delegates at the Environment Ireland conference. In July, Environment Minister Phil Hogan published ‘A...[full story]
Environment: New WEEE targets from 2016
Monday, October 29th, 2012European legislation on recovering electrical waste will mean more demanding recovery rates from 2016. A revised WEEE (waste electrical and electronic equipment) Directive was published in the EU Journal in July following agreement between the European Council and the European Parliament; it will come into operation on 15 February 2014. The related Restriction of Hazardous Substances Directive, which restricts the use of certain hazardous materials, will also be amended. Under the recast Directive, the collection targets for electrical waste have been increased. From 2016, 45 per cent...[full story]
Environment: ERP Ireland: New resources for recovery
Monday, October 29th, 2012The recast Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) Directive and the current review of the producer responsibility initiatives (PRIs) model will present the Irish waste recovery market with new opportunities, says ERP Ireland CEO Martin Tobin. There’s an old saying at the European Recycling Platform (ERP) that there’s no such thing as waste, only wasted resources. Right now, ERP is working to make sure current waste reforms don’t become wasted opportunities. The recast of the WEEE Directive (which came into force on 24 July 2012 and which Ireland has until 14 February...[full story]
