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January 10th 2019 – immediate release Environmental groups and the public are being left in the dark over the Government’s plans to manage Skellig Michael, Ireland’s largest environmental coalition has said. The comments from the Environmental Pillar come in the wake of the launch of a public consultation in late December on the next management […]

Immediate Release –  9 January 2019 The Environmental Pillar has welcomed the Government’s decision to extend a public consultation on controversial upland burning regulations after it raised concerns over the decision to hold the consultation during the Christmas holidays. The consultation process was launched on 21 December 2018 with the original deadline set for 18 […]

Environmental Pillar cautiously welcomes the Withdrawal Agreement & Political Declaration: will a level playing field deliver cross-border alignment?   The conclusion of negotiations on a Withdrawal Agreement and Political Declaration lay the groundwork for designing a future EU-UK relationship incorporating far-reaching environmental standards. In the Withdrawal Agreement the UK and the EU have committed to […]

November 16th, 2018 The Environmental Pillar welcomes the inclusion of a commitment in the draft withdrawal agreement to maintaining current levels of environmental protection across the island of Ireland post-Brexit. It also includes a clause designed to prevent any regression of environmental laws, regulations and practices in the UK or the EU following the Brexit […]

Immediate Release Ireland’s largest environmental coalition is deeply concerned by reports that the Government is set to row back on hikes in carbon and diesel taxes. It was widely reported in the media this morning that both the proposed increase in the diesel levy and carbon tax are proving to be sticking points ahead of tomorrow’s Budget. […]

October 5th, 2018 The coming weeks are critical for the Brexit negotiations and the future EU-UK relationship. Negotiations are intensifying in the build-up to the October European Council summit, with the added bonus of a possible extraordinary summit in November at which an Agreement will be presented. Accompanying any Withdrawal [Brexit] Agreement will be a […]

Immediate Release The latest public-p rivate native woodland funding scheme is window-dressing to cover up the State’s decades-old failed forestry policy, warns environmental coalition. The call from the Environmental Pillar follows last week’s launch of a public – private fund to support businesses in partnering with the Government and Irish landowners in the creation of […]

The Environmental Pillar and Northern Ireland Environment Link, who together represent almost 100 environmental organisations from across the island of Ireland, are working together to draw attention to the cross-border environmental implications of Brexit – one of six key areas of cooperation outlined by the North-South Ministerial Council as established under the Good Friday Agreement. […]

  IMMEDIATE RELEASE The Government can take real action to tackle out of control emissions and an unacceptable housing crisis by adopting three common sense taxes in Budget 2019, says Ireland’s largest environmental coalition. The Environmental Pillar has called on the cabinet to support three tax policies that will protect our environment, tackle the escalating […]

September 19th, 2018 Both today and tomorrow, EU leaders are gathering in Salzburg for an informal Council summit that will end with a working lunch (sans Theresa May) to discuss Brexit. On the menu is likely to be the state of play in the negotiations on the key withdrawal issues (including the Irish backstop) and […]

  Immediate Release The recommendations of the Citizens’ Assembly are the best foundation on which to lay the policy roadmap for real and lasting leadership in tackling climate change. This was the expert view that the Environmental Pillar outlined before a new 22-member Joint Oireachtas Committee to explore how best the State can lead on […]

IMMEDIATE RELEASE Fine Gael’s attempt to piggy-back on Heritage Week to burnish their environmental credentials is a clear attempt to paper over gaping holes in their environment and climate policy says a coalition of Ireland’s leading environmental NGOs. To mark the kick-off of his party’s Green Week, the Tánaiste Simon Coveney TD popped up on social media this […]

IMMEDIATE RELEASE Figures released today that 40 per cent of Irish coastal areas are badly littered is a clear sign that urgent action is needed to halt the deluge of waste clogging our cities, rural towns and marine environment. The findings in the Irish Business Against Litter survey carried out by An Taisce builds upon […]

Immediate Release The passage of the destructive Heritage Bill through the Dail marks a dark day for Irish biodiversity, Ireland’s leading environmental coalition has said. The Government’s Bill was voted through yesterday evening with the support of Fianna Fail despite widespread opposition from all other parties, environmentalists, conservation groups and farmers working together with biodiversity. […]

Irish and International experts warn Oireachtas Committee about serious deficiencies in the UK’s assessment of plans to expand its nuclear power program and the potential impact on Ireland. Speaking in front of the Joint Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government this afternoon (12PM), Professors John Sweeney and Stephen Thomas outlined serious flaws in the […]

Immediate Release n environmental coalition has called on Michel Barnier to stress the need for a solution to the border issue that maintains full alignment of environmental rules on the island of Ireland post-Brexit. The EU’s top Brexit negotiator will be in Ireland next week to give a keynote address at the fourth plenary meeting of […]

Immediate Release Environmental coalition concerned with Minister’s latest mixed bag of proposals to tackle the scourge of plastic pollution and packaging waste. Responding to questions in the Dail yesterday on plans to reduce plastic packaging, the Minister for the Environment, Denis Naughten, TD, said that he no longer plans to introduce a levy on single-use compostable coffee cups […]

Immediate Release The Irish state is failing in its duty to fully implement European Directives vital to protect numerous threatened species and habitats on our island. This is the finding of a new report published today by leading environmental NGOs, BirdLife Europe, WWF, European Environmental Bureau (EEB) and Friends of the Earth Europe. [1] The […]

Concerns about the UK’s nuclear expansion program and Ireland’s failures to consult with the Irish public were raised today by TDs and Senators from across the political spectrum, together with environmental NGOs, academics and the agricultural sector. The broad grouping came together for a briefing at Buswell’s Hotel at 11AM this morning organised by the Environmental […]

EMBARGOED: 12.01AM Wednesday 21 March 2018 As International Day of Forests falls upon us, Ireland’s latest forestry figures point to an urgent need for a root and branch reform of our failing forestry policy. [1]  According to the Environmental Pillar – a coalition of 30 national environmental organisations – data in Ireland’s latest Forest Statistics […]

Immediate Release Ireland’s latest forestry figures are a clear sign of the urgent need for a root and branch reform of failing forestry policy, warns a coalition of environmental groups. According to the Environmental Pillar – a coalition of 30 national environmental organisations -the Forest Statistics Ireland 2017 report gives false reassurances that Ireland’s afforestation […]

Immediate Release Strict enforcement on hedgerow cutting and upland burning during the prohibited season is vital to avoid the level of devastation witnessed last year, a coalition of environmental groups has warned. Once the remaining snow left from the Beast from the East along our country verges and on the uplands melts, it is crucial […]

Immediate Release The launch of a public consultation on the UK’s planned Hinkley Point C nuclear power station, less than 250km from Rosslare, is welcome but long overdue, leading environmental groups said today. An Taisce, Friends of the Irish Environment, and the Environmental Pillar said that it is vital that the Irish people now raise […]

Ireland’s leading environmental coalition welcomes support from Fine Gael Senator Catherine Noone for a deposit and return system on plastic bottles, and calls on her party’s leaders to follow suit. The Environmental Pillar – a coalition of 28 national environmental organisations – is pleased to see the Senator’s support of this progressive policy which she […]