News

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. […]

The Environmental Pillar of social partnership has welcomed the introduction of a carbon tax in the budget. In its pre-budget submission it had called for a shift from taxes on income to “progressive and just” taxes on consumption of natural resources. The provision for the fuel poor and vulnerable was also welcomed. Its position is […]

Policy Statement on the Flooding Crisis November 2009 – A call for a comprehensive and systemic review 3rd Dec 2009 Introduction If there’s anything to be learned from the ongoing catastrophic flooding events happening across Ireland, it’s that we need to work with nature not against it to prevent further disaster. This has been the […]

Download pdf of budget submission

Social Partners, the Environmental Pillar, say that the hard economic decisions to be taken in the December budget must only be taken when they have been placed in their environmental context. In its pre-budget submission to the Minister of Finance it has offered solutions which allow the government to act sensibly in the context of […]

Download the Environmental Pillar Submission on the Report of the Special Group on Public Service Numbers and Expenditure Programmes (McCarthy Report)

Ireland faces two major and interlinked crises, firstly an environmental one and secondly an economic one. Whilst it is clear that a very serious economic crisis is upon us, with unfortunately many thousands of people unemployed, the consequences of rapid climate change and general environmental degradation are likely to be far worse. [button href=”https://environmentalpillar.ie/wp/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/Environmental-Pillar-Submission-on-the-Report-of-the-Special-Group-on-Public-Service-Numbers-and-Expenditure-Programmes.pdf” title=”Title” […]

Submission to Agri environment Scheme Date 4 th September 2009

Coherent implementation of Agenda 21 must form the core of the new programme for government in order to provide the radical change needed to ensure a sustainable future for Irish society Irish environment groups warned in Dublin today. Agenda 21 is a UN supported roadmap to sustainability. The Environmental Pillar, the representative body for twenty eight of […]

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. These are the real […]

Constantin Gurdgiev Presentation Why can’t we let the banks fail? Why we should have State ownership. Problem with NAMA legislation. Zombie banks are likely with NAMA, no credit flow Two incentives. pay short term debts, keep money as capital reserve Higher banks charges likely after NAMA Creation of a zombie development market after NAMA Lowest […]

The following SPC Schemes are now closed to expressions of interest for nomination,  however if you are interested in being part of a local environmental network please contact Michael Ewing michael@environmentalpillar.ie Expressions of interest are still welcome for  the following SPCs Waterford County and Waterford City   Local Environmental Reps Visit this group Invitation for […]

Download: Briefing Paper 4 1. Introduction The rapidly collapsing world economy and Ireland’s particular condition within it present profound and immediate challenges both to the Irish Government and the Irish people.  In addition, with our national focus on crisis management we are failing to engage with the near-to-medium term risks of an energy-induced systemic crisis […]

Ireland is faced with reacting to a rapidly collapsing world economy whilst at the same time addressing a looming energy crisis that will dwarf the current economic crisis in both consequences and complexity, it was claimed yesterday.  In a meeting with the Commission on Taxation representatives from the Environmental Pillar argued for the introduction of […]

Position on Infrastructure Investment – Spending and investment priorities for the future Spending and investment capacity for the foreseeable future is going to be extremely limited with restriction on Government capital expenditure. There is particular need to ensure that future investment decisions in transport and energy are strategically considered and are based on principles of […]

New Social Partner launched at Government Buildings [imagebrowser id=2]At the official launch of the new Environmental Pillar of Social Partnership at Government buildings today environmental representatives called on the government not to lose sight of the the ecological crisis underlying the country’s current economic difficulties. Speaking after a photocall with Taoiseach Brian Cowen and Minister […]

Minister John Gormley’s speech in the Dáil, April 8th, 2009 Transcript of text. The Green Party and our partners in government believe that the ‘smart economy’ is the ‘green economy’. And that green economy cannot prosper until such time as green thinking is fully integrated into the social partnership model. Today, I wish to announce […]

Realising that the crises facing this country go even deeper than the very serious financial problems, the Government has invited a fifth group to participate in the Social Partnership negotiations for the first time. This “fifth pillar” of social partnership includes twenty-eight environmental groups working to create a sustainable society. Karin Dubsky of Coastwatch points […]

Follow the link below to download the Environmental Pillar’s briefing paper. This briefing paper addresses the following issues: an environmentally sustainable economy; climate change; biodiversity; planning; water; waste; and transport. briefing paper environmental pillar of social partnership (Posted on April 8, 2009)  

Follow the link below to download “Tackling the two crises facing government – A Submission to the Irish Government From the Members of the Environmental Pillar 16th March 2009”. This submission addresses the world economy and Ireland’s particular condition within it and the risks associated with climate change. Tackling the two crises facing government