News

Protected nature sites give great value for money, says new study The economic benefits of the Natura 2000 Network   7 March 2013: The Environmental Pillar welcomes the findings of the EU study on the financial return to society of investments in the protection of sites that are designated as important for nature (Natura 2000 sites). […]

Click here to download the Environmental Pillar’s Policy Statement on Genetically Modified Crops in Ireland March 2013 (Posted on March 4, 2013) 4 March 2013: The Environmental Pillar, a coalition of 26 national environmental groups, today called upon the Government to place a 5-year moratorium on the growing of any genetically modified (GM) crops in […]

Environmental Pillar press release 27 February 2013: The news that NAMA has been told that it is required to give the public access to information on the environmental aspects and impacts of its activities was greeted as a victory for environmental democracy by the Environmental Pillar, a coalition of 26 national environmental NGOs. “Instead of […]

Press release from the Environmental Pillar Climate Action Bill won’t be worth the paper it’s written on warns Environmental Pillar Insertion of Targets Urged The Environmental Pillar has welcomed the publication of the heads of the Climate Action and Low Carbon Development Bill but has expressed its disappointment that after many months and much to […]

Environmental Pillar deeply disappointed at Hogan’s abandonment of climate change targets Calls on TDs to support Independent Climate Change Bill 11 February 2013: The Environmental Pillar has expressed its great frustration that Minister Hogan plans to bring a toothless Climate Change Bill to the Cabinet tomorrow. According to leaked information in the media today, the […]

18 January 2013: The Environmental Pillar, a coalition of 26 national environmental groups, is calling for the government to adopt a new set of measures to control ash dieback disease and to limit the very serious economic and environmental problems resulting from its introduction to Ireland. Ash dieback is a fungal disease that kills ash […]

The Environmental Pillar, a coalition of 26 national environmental groups, warns that the fines are just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to expenses incurred by the Irish people for environmental damage in our country. The European Court ruled on two separate cases. For failing to put in place sufficient standards on environmental […]

Environmental Pillar meets Joint Oireachtas Committee to discuss Common Agricultural Policy reform 18 December 2012: The Environmental Pillar, a coalition of 26 national environmental groups, says that public money paid out under the EU’s Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) should be given for delivering ‘public goods’ – including a healthy natural environment– not given as ‘blank […]

23 November 2012: The publication today of the Government’s policy statement on growth and employment in the Green Economy has failed to deliver on the promised Green Economy Plan, according to the Environmental Pillar, a coalition of 26 national environmental NGOs. The Environmental Pillar is disappointed that the policy statement, Delivering Our Green Potential, is […]

12 November 2012: The Environmental Pillar, a coalition of 26 national environmental groups, is calling for major tax reform as one of their Budget recommendations to create sustainable employment and a robust economy. Their proposal involves a shift away from taxes on income and reasonable profits, in favour of raising taxes on the consumption of […]

The Environmental Pillar welcomes the opportunity to comment on the Draft EPA Strategic Plan 2013-2015. Recognising that this is an outline plan, and that the devil may well be in the detail of implementation, the members of the Environmental Pillar make the recommendations below in the context of the Pillar’s fundamental position that: The continuing […]

 The Environmental Pillar welcomes the opportunity to respond to the EPA consultation call ‘National Inspection plan for Domestic Wastewater Treatment Systems discussion document. The initial problem for our members is that, whilst it is possible to comment on the document, it is not possible to use this document to comment on the plan. The document […]

The Environmental Pillar, a coalition of 26 national environmental groups, has expressed its disappointment that the Government’s proposed National Inspection Plan for Domestic Waste Water Treatment Systems does not contain enough detail to allow a meaningful public discussion. Charles Stanley-Smith, spokesperson for the Environmental Pillar, said: ‘When you think about the potential risks to our […]

Environmental Pillar proposals for placing the 2013 Budget in the context of Sustainable Development. [button href=”https://environmentalpillar.ie/wp/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/Proposals-for-the-2013-Budget.pdf” title=”Title” target=”blank” shape=”square, rounded, pill” size=”mini, small, regular, large, x-large, jumbo”  info=”popover, tooltip” info_place=”top, right, bottom, left” info_trigger=”hover, click, focus” info_content=”This content will only show up if you have decided to show a popover.”] Click here to view the […]

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The Environmental Pillar has added its weight to the growing push for a Site Value Tax in Ireland. Today (18 October) it released a policy on Site Value Tax, outlining the social, economic and environmental benefits that would be delivered by its implementation. A Site Value Tax is a tax on the unimproved value of […]

The Environmental Pillar presents a ten point solution to improve decision-making, to ensure a more sustainable approach to aquaculture in Ireland and to make the work of the TAC more appropriate and compliant with EU legislative requirements. Download the Environmental_Pillar_10_Point_Plan_For_Fisheries_TACs

Today the Aarhus Convention entered into force in Ireland, signifying an important step forward for environmental democracy in this country. The Aarhus Convention upholds the right of every person to have access to information about the environment, the right to participate in decision-making, and the right of access to justice in environmental matters. It sets […]

The Environmental Pillar has published its policy on shale gas, calling for cessation of all fracking activities in Ireland. “The known impacts of fracking are so serious that the Government needs to act now to put a stop to all fracking activity in Ireland” said Michael Ewing speaking on behalf of the coalition of 27 […]

Environmental Pillar expresses “Grave concerns” about Fracking   The Environmental Pillar has just published its policy on shale gas, calling for cessation of all fracking activities in Ireland. “The known impacts of fracking are so serious that the   Government needs to act now to put a stop to all fracking activity in Ireland” said […]

Pillar report highlights “illegal and irresponsible” planning 7th July 2012 – Dublin. Environmental experts have said the development and implementation of the Government Food Harvest 2020 policy would be  “illegal and irresponsible” if it was carried out without a serious look at how it impacts on the long-term well-being of the country. The warning was […]

Download report: Environmental-Pillar-Submission-on-the-Analysis-of-the-Environmental-Impacts-of-FH2020(Posted on July 6, 2012) Summary Food Harvest 2020, as a Government Strategic Policy Document should have been subjected to a screening under Article 6 of the Habitats Directive. This would have inevitably resulted in the need to conduct a number of Appropriate Assessments (AA). During the development of Food Harvest 2020, as […]

After 14 years of campaigning, the final ratification process for the Aarhus Convention has been completed with the deposition of Irish ratification papers at the United Nations in New York yesterday. “The people of Ireland finally have the same environmental human rights as the rest of Europe” said Michael Ewing, speaking on behalf of the […]

There have been calls for the government to raise public awareness of rights granted to Irish citizens following the Dáil vote today to allow ratification of the Aarhus Convention. This international convention upholds the right of every person to have access to information about the environment, the right to participate in decision-making, and the right […]