Archive for the 'Environment' Category

Dun Emer, Lusk pathway urgently required

Published 2 July, 2010 Community , Environment , Lusk Leave a Comment
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2 July 2010

Local TD Trevor Sargent has on several occassions asked for the completion of the pathway from Dun Emer to Lusk. The need is obvious and the current condition of the road is very dangerous and unsightly.

Now, Trevor is inviting you to add your name to the list of those calling for action to complete this necessary pathway. Click on the link to add your name. If you like, you can add your email address and we’ll keep you informed of any developments. Don’t worry, we will never pass your email address on to anybody else and we won’t bombard you with unwanted emails. You can opt out anytime.

Here’s the link to the petition:

http://spreadsheets.google.com/viewform?formkey=dHZyRW9mVXczeUhCSjg5eW1CVUx2cGc6MQ

Thanks for taking part.

Malahide to host Public Meeting on Climate Change

Published 9 February, 2010 Climate change , Environment , Fingal news , Malahide 1 Comment

Future-Proofing Malahide

What will Climate Change mean for Malahide?

Public meeting

Thursday, 25th February, 8 pm

St. Andrew’s Parish Centre, Church Road, Malahide. (Map)

Tea & Coffee to follow. Admission free.

Prof. John Sweeney Internationally renowned author and recipient of the 2007 Nobel Peace Prize, Professor of  Geography at NUI Maynooth, Ireland’s foremost expert on climate change.

With an introduction by

Trevor Sargent TD

For more information call Madeleine in the Green Party Constituency office on (01) 890 0360

- Funding boost for local projects

Published 16 November, 2009 Community , Environment , Fingal news Closed
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16 November 2009

Funding for environmental projects welcomed

Real boost to community says Food Minister

Trevor Sargent TD, Minister for Food and Horticulutre, has welcomed funding for a number of environmental projects inFingal. The funding is provided by the Department of the Environment under the Local Agenda 21 Environmental Partnership Fund and is matched by Fingal County Council.

Minister Sargent said: “I’m delighted that this funding has been awarded. While the sums are small, they will make a huge difference to the projects concerned. These projects help educate our community, particularly those aimed at children and will also help to save energy or enhance our environment in a targeted way.”

Funding has been awarded to, among others, The Irish Seal Santuary to help develop coastal eco-walks for groups with intellectual disablilities, The Irish Wildlife Trust for a number of projects including Biodiversity Planning with Fingal Tidy Town Groups and Conservation Volunteers Fingal to assist with Managing the Lutrellstown Woodland for Biodiversity. Each sum that has been awarded to a project will be matched by Fingal County Council, serving to double the funding provided.

“I particularly welcome the funding provided to composting and garden projects. Food production, above all locally grown organic, enhances our food security and lowers our food air miles, helping to cut down on our carbon footprint. Only two or three decades ago growing food at home or in the community was the norm. We’ve since lost much of our skills and knowledge in this area. I hope the projects involved will help reinstate some of that.”

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The full list of this year’s successful projects in Fingal is as follows:

 

Name/Address of Applicant Project

€ Awarded
Conservation Volunteers Fingal Managing the Lutrellstown Woodland for Biodiversity

1,002.50
Down to Earth Theatre Company Juggling the 3R’s

1,500.00
Global Action Plan Become.ie – The on-line portal for Sustainable Living

2,750.00
GrassRoots Education An Exploration of Climate Change and Biodiversity

750.00
iBOTZ Irl Limited Schools Renewable Energy resources Workshops

1,400.00
Irish Seal Sanctuary “Seas the Day” -Coastal eco-walks for groups with intellectual disablilities

2,000.00
Leitrim Environmental Services Ltd Hands-On Hedges

500.00
Natasha Kalvas The Things We Use :- Materials, Energy and Food

750.00
Naturally Wild Naturally Wild Primary Schools Program

750.00
Skerries Guerilla Gardeners Skerries Guerilla Gardeners: Raised Beds

412.50
The Irish Wildlife Trust Biodiversity Planning with Fingal Tidy Town Groups

1,500.00
The Irish Wildlife Trust OWLS – A Childrens Nature Club

701.50
The Irish Wildlife Trust The Outdoor Classroom- a schools environmental programme

600.00
Total

14,616.50

- Sargent Concerned at Nevitt Decision

Published 22 October, 2009 Community , Environment , Fingal news , Lusk , nevitt Closed

22 October 2009

Speaking today in the light of news that An Bord Pleanala had granted permission to Fingal County Council to proceed with development of a major new landfill at the Nevitt, near Lusk, Trevor Sargent TD, Minister for Food and Horticulture, said “I am disappointed with the decision to proceed with the landfill on this site.

“Because of the importance to the Fingal region of its horticultural industry, supplying over 50% of the country’s vegetables, it is vital that the standard of the groundwater supply be maintained. I note that the capacity of the development has been reduced to 300,000 tonnes from the 500,000 tonnes originally proposed in an attempt to arrive at a compromise of competing agendas. The diversion of bio-degradable matter away from the landfill, which, if successfully implemented, may result in the reduction of risk of leachate contamination of the groundwater, is to be welcomed.

“I will study the decision in detail having regard, not only to the affects on horticulture and inland fisheries but, particularly, to minimise the impact on the local people and their quality of life. I am awaiting a response from the European Commission, which has been taking an interest in the measures required to protect the groundwater in the area. I am also keen to see the decision of the Environmental Protection Agency which is currently reviewing the proposed landfill.”

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- SARGENT HIGHLIGHTS TWIN CHALLENGES OF FOOD SECURITY AND CLIMATE CHANGE

Published 16 October, 2009 Climate change , Community , Environment , Food security , International Closed
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16 October, 2009

MINISTER OF STATE SARGENT HIGHLIGHTS TWIN CHALLENGES OF FOOD SECURITY AND CLIMATE CHANGE

Speaking on the occasion of World Food Day 2009, Mr. Trevor Sargent T.D. Minister of State for Food and Horticulture at the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food today emphasised that “notwithstanding our current economic difficulties, the positive aspects of Irish agriculture and food production need to be prioritised and must play their part if humanity is to sustain itself“. World Food Day, held every year on the anniversary of the founding of the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations, aims to highlight issues surrounding hunger and poverty in the developing world.

Referring to the recent report of the Irish Hunger Task Force, Minister Sargent reiterated the Irish Government’s commitment to take a leadership role internationally in eliminating hunger, specifically through “increasing smallholder sustainable agricultural productivity in Africa, targeting maternal and infant under-nutrition and working to ensure that governments internationally fulfil their commitments to eradicate hunger“. He also acknowledged that ‘Achieving Food Security in times of Crises and Climate Change’, which is the theme for this years World Food Day, is also central to addressing the scourge of hunger internationally.  He noted the increase in the number of chronically hungry people on the planet which now stands at over 1 Billion or one person in every six.

Given our increasingly urbanised global society, Minister Sargent stressed that “we need to consider where our food comes from and our joint responsibility to achieve food security. Even in a developed country like Ireland, it is incumbent on us to consider our own food security and, furthermore, how our natural advantages and expertise in food production can be leveraged to assist in meeting long-term increased global demand.”

He went on to state that climate change is the greatest threat facing humanity and it is imperative that “ambitious, legally enforceable, long-term global provisions to protect the planet are put in place”.  Ireland also has to play its part in this process and, in this regard, Minister Sargent concluded by highlighting some of the important climate change elements contained in the Renewed Programme for Government ratified last weekend.

Note :
World Food Day is a global initiative lead by the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) of the United Nations. It was started in 1980 and is held in countries throughout the world around October 16th. (This is the date on which FAO was established in 1945). The aim of World Food Day is to raise awareness about hunger and poverty in the developing world. Every year a different theme is selected for World Food Day. This year’s theme is ‘Achieving food security in times of crises and climate change’.

The Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) of the United Nations was founded in 1945 with a mandate to raise levels of nutrition and standards of living, to improve agricultural productivity, and to better the conditions of rural populations. Since its inception, FAO has worked to alleviate poverty and hunger by promoting agricultural development, improved nutrition and the pursuit of food security. FAO is one of the largest specialised agencies in the United Nations system and the lead agency for agriculture, forestry, fisheries and rural development.

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- Sargent Welcomes news of major sewerage scheme for Fingal

Published 9 October, 2009 Donabate , Environment , Lusk , Portrane , Rush Closed

9 October 2009

Food Minister and local TD, Trevor Sargent, has welcomed news that the long-awaited upgrade and expansion of the main drainage system covering Portrane, Donabate, Rush and Lusk is to go ahead, along with a wastewater treatment plant at Portrane. Green Party colleague, John Gormley, Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, has approved funding of €30.5m to allow Fingal County Council to award the contract for the works to Earthtech (Irl) Ltd.

Commenting on the news, Minister Sargent said “This is a very welcome and much needed enhancement to the wastewater infrastructure of the area. The coastal areas of Fingal include some of the finest beaches in the country. This investment in wastewater treatment should mean that these coastal towns should be able to boast the highest quality bathing water possible.”

Fingal County Council is currently preparing the documents for the sewer network contract.

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- Sargent Reacts to News of Proposed Toxic Ash Storage Facility

Published 23 September, 2009 Environment , Fingal news , Horticulture , Naul , recycling Closed

23 September 2009

Toxic ash plan highlights the short-sighted reasoning of politicians who think incineration is an alternative to land-fill.

Minister for Food and Horticulture, Trevor Sargent TD, has reacted angrily to the news that a toxic ash repository is being proposed for north Fingal, given the importance of this area for farming, and horticulture in particular.

“Making a living from farming is already very difficult and presents challenges from low prices being paid by retailers as well as bad weather and the high cost of overheads. The notion of a toxic waste facility is a further headache. My fear is that this toxic facility plan would result in food production falling further and a loss of employment in a sector which is already struggling.

“I have spoken with the Minister for the Environment, John Gormley, and his officials to make my feelings in this matter known and to relay the feelings of local residents and farmers in the area on hearing the news of this proposal on news programs today.”

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- Sargent calls for a YES vote to Lisbon

Published 4 September, 2009 Climate change , Community , Environment , International Closed
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4 September 2009

Green Party TD and Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture, Trevor Sargent has called on all voters to say YES to Lisbon on October 2nd.

Speaking following the party’s “Yes to Lisbon” campaign launch today, Minister Sargent said that the current economic crisis highlighted how much Ireland’s fate is already tied with that of Europe and how much we have to gain by continued participation in EU affairs.

“Being a member of the EU has delivered tremendous benefits and opportunities to Ireland over the last years. This is not the time to cast a doubt on our commitment to Europe. A resounding ‘Yes’ vote is what is called for right now.”

Commenting further, he added “The environmental issues facing Europe and the entire world have not gone away. If anything, the challenges posed by climate change are even greater now than in the past. Taking steps to address these will require massive, concerted, international action. The Lisbon Treaty is an essential step in preparing the EU to act decisively to address this critical issue. The consequences of a ‘No’ vote are simply too grim to contemplate.”

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- Green Energy is the way forward

Published 15 July, 2009 Climate change , Environment , Malahide Closed
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14 July 2009

P1010007 Minister Sargent recently visited a renewable energy installation completed by Malahide company, Microstrain Ltd.

Commenting on the wind turbine and solar collector system the company had installed, Minister Sargent said that “Renewable energy solutions are an essential part of our future. It is imperative that we move away from our dependance on oil, not just for the sake of the environment but for our financial survival too. I’m very encouraged to see businesses moving into this market.  Indeed, as my colleague Eamon Ryan has said ‘the recovery is green’ and investment in sustainable solutions offers us the best way to face up to our financial and climatic difficulties.”

P1010010

Microstrain Ltd. provide a range of solutions for energy generation and waste treatment.

In the pictures, Minister Sargent is chatting with the management team, Ivan McFadden (Technical Manager), Patrick Boylan (Business Development Manager) and Stephen Neill (Product Manager)

- Sargent Welcomes Minister of the Environment to North Dublin

Published 2 April, 2009 Balbriggan , Environment , Fingal news , Lusk , Rush , Swords Closed

2 April 2009

Green Party Leader to view benefits and potential of green innovations in Fingal

Trevor Sargent, Minister for Food and Horticulture together with his colleagues Cllr Joe Corr, Cllr Stephen Kilgallon, Cllr Robbie Kelly, Cllr David Healy and Swords candidate Ken Duffy will host a visit of John Gormley Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government to Dublin North tomorrow Friday, April 3rd.

The visit will focus on a number of initiatives which have been taken by the three Green Party Ministers that will help combat the current downturn in our economic fortunes and that will provide both employment and community services to the people of Dublin North in the coming months and years ahead.

Commenting on the first meeting with the CEO and Town Manager in Balbriggan Town Hall, Trevor Sargent stated: “John Gormley, having delivered the extension of the Town Council boundary, which will mean many more Balbriggan residents can vote in the upcoming Town council election on June 5th next, will be briefed on how the new community liaison committees are operating. This is an exciting development for the citizens of Balbriggan.“

Minister Sargent added “As the Minister responsible for Farmer’s Markets, I have been working closely with my colleague Cllr Stephen Kilgallon to establish a market in Balbriggan. We will discuss the progress of this initiative with Minister Gormley and Council officials too.“

Minister Gormley’s itinerary then takes him on to Rush and Lusk.

Cllr Joe Corr, commenting on the Rush and Lusk events said “Minister Gormley, who is responsible for the nation’s libraries, will get an opportunity to view the fantastic new facilities of the Rush library, which will shortly have the longest opening hours of any library in the country. In Lusk the Minister will commission the new Wind Turbine at Country Crest, which demonstrates the great potential that renewable energy can deliver to Fingal”.

Minister Gormley will then visit the Pavilions in Swords and move on to events in Malahide, Howth and Baldoyle where Ken Duffy, Cllr Robbie Kelly and Cllr David Healy will join the entourage.

For further information contact

Balbriggan Cllr. Joe Corr 087 6815811

Swords Ken Duffy 086 6008313

Howth-Malahide Cllr. David Healy 087 6178852

Howth-Malahide Cllr. Robbie Kelly 087 8110111

Balbriggan Town Council Stephen Kilgallon 087 4176541

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