News

The Environmental Pillar, an umbrella organisation that represents the Irish environment, has claimed that cancelling the AEOS scheme would be short-sighted. The group has called on the Minister for Agriculture, Simon Coveney TD, to open the AEOS scheme for 2011. “The AEOS scheme provides superb value for money to the taxpayer, even in straitened times,” […]

The Environmental Pillar, an umbrella organisation that represents the Irish environment, called on the Taoiseach today to “begin a radical reform of the Seanad” by including leading environmental scientists and representatives in his list of Seanad nominees. “The scientific evidence shows that environmental degradation is occurring now, and that it is a growing threat to […]

The Environmental Pillar, which is made up of 27 national environmental groups, has asked the incoming government to ensure that it protects the fundamental needs of our society and economy by protecting and enhancing the natural environment.  In a detailed submission to the Fine Gael and Labour Parties, the Environmental Pillar outlined what is needed […]

Introduction The continuing success of human society and social systems depends fundamentally on the preservation of the overall productivity, health and long term sustainability of the ecosystems and environmental services that underpin and supply many of the most basic components of human welfare such as healthy soils, clean water, clean air and a healthy biodiversity. […]

The Environmental Pillar calls on the Government: to take seriously its role as protector of the natural resources that are fundamental to all life, including human; to fully implement the Water Framework Directive, the Habitats Directive, the Birds Directive, and the EIA Directive; and in so doing to avoid the Irish taxpayer having to face […]

Climate change remains the defining challenge of our age. The Environmental Pillar shares the National Economic and Social Council’s analysis (NESC Report 117, page xvi.) that “addressing it will have far reaching economic and social effects”, and that Ireland’s greenhouse gas emissions target for 2020, yet to be finalised”, “will pose considerable challenges” and, most […]

Presentation by Michael Ewing, at the NESC Seminar  “Ireland’s Experience & Challenges in the European Union”, 26th January, 2011 Presentation on Sustainable Ireland and Europe

An Bord Pleanála’s decision to approve planning permission for the final section of the Corrib gas pipeline in north Mayo has been condemned as ‘legally flawed by the Environmental Pillar of Social Partnership. It demands that this development, along with all developments, must be completed in accordance with the law. “This decision is legally flawed […]

Dublin – 16th December, 2010. The Environment Pillar of Social Partnership today welcomed the publication of the Climate Change Response Bill. However, it said the Bill’s ambition to transition Ireland to a smart low-carbon, high-value, high-employment economy needs to be sharpened, with a stronger stimulus created from more ambitious emission reduction targets. Pat Finnegan, Co-ordinator […]

Policy published in November 2010. Ireland’s western Atlantic seaboard location, with its mild winters and good rainfall combine to make Ireland an ideal location to have a thriving sustainable wood economy. In former times the abundant harvest from Ireland’s great forests was legendary. This forest resource ensured the basics of good quality food, shelter and […]

Introduction The continuing success of human society and social systems depends fundamentally on the preservation of the overall productivity, health and long term sustainability of the ecosystems and environmental services that underpin and supply many of the most basic components of human welfare such as healthy soils, clean water and clean air. This brief summary […]

In order for the policy to be effective and transformative it needs to involve all the staff of the public authorities both in its development and enactment. Understanding and ownership of the principles of Sustainable Public Procurement by staff members will dramatically increase the likelihood that the desired outcomes will be achieved. Quick win standards are important to initiate […]

The Environmental Pillar of Social Partnership has elected Siobhán Egan from BirdWatch Ireland to be its representative on the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC). She was elected by the 27 member organisations that constitute the Pillar, and will now be the only environmental sector representative out of the total of 9 Irish representatives. The […]

Follow the link below for the Environmental Pillar’s submission to EPA Review Panel for “Review of the Environmental Protection Agency Consultation Document April 2010” Environmental Pillar Submission to the EPA Review Panel

Follow the link below for the response from the Environmental Pillar to the EU 2020 Srategy. Environmental Pillar response to the EU 2020 strategy  

Follow the link below to download the Environmental Pillar’s response to climate change legislation. Environmental Pillar response to climate change legislation  

Climate change remains the defining challenge of our age. The Environmental Pillar shares the National Economic and Social Council’s analysis (NESC Report 117, page xvi.) that “addressing it will have far reaching economic and social effects”, that Ireland’s greenhouse gas emissions target for 2020, yet to be finalised”, “will pose considerable challenges” and, most significantly, […]

The following submission is made on behalf of The Environmental Pillar in response to the ‘Invitation to Comment’ advertised as part of the consultation activity for a review of Ireland’s Environmental Protection Agency, EPA; as issued by the Department of The Environment, Heritage and Local Government, DOEHLG. It is the understanding of the Pillar that […]

Follow the link below to download the Cork Environmental Forum’s submission to the Cork County Council Strategic Policy Committee Scheme. Cork Environmental Forum November 2009  

Follow the link below to download the Guidelines for Strategic Policy Committees. Working Group Members Foreword-Brollach Acronyms  

The Environmental Pillar of social partnership has welcomed the Government’s statement indicating its willingness to establish a public inquiry into the circumstances that led to the banking crisis. “In the light of the huge damage done by the behaviour of the banking sector to the environmental, social and economic health of this country the government […]

The Environmental Pillar of social partnership has welcomed the Government’s statement indicating its willingness to establish a public inquiry into the circumstances that led to the banking crisis. “In the light of the huge damage done by the behaviour of the banking sector to the environmental, social and economic health of this country the government […]

This is the Environmental Pillar’s submission to the European Commission’s Green Paper on the Reform of the Common Fisheries Policy. To download the submission, click here. This submission looks at each of the five structural failings of the current Common Fisheries Policy (CFP), as identified in the European Commission’s Green Paper on the CFP Reform, […]

Many Daily Mail readers may oppose plans to survey the frog population of Ireland. The Environmental Pillar respects those views, which spring from a deep sense of the importance of prioritising public spending in times of crisis. However, the outcry and front page headlines have made it difficult to separate fact from fiction. Fiction No. […]