Press Releases

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). […]

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 […]

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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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

The Environmental Pillar expressed disappointment at today’s announcement by the Minister for the Environment, Phil Hogan, that a Climate Change Bill is not a priority. This represents a significant backtrack on the Government’s commitment to deliver climate change legislation by 2012. Commenting on behalf of the Pillar today, Tara Connolly, convenor of the Pillar’s Climate […]

Environmental Pillar criticises the abolition of Comhar, the National Sustianable Development Council.  The Environmental Pillar of Social Partnership has expressed disappointment and concern at yesterday’s decision by the minister for the Environment Phil Hogan to abolish Comhar (the National Sustainable Development Council). Commenting on behalf of the Environmental Pillar, Pat Finnegan of Grian, a member of Comhar council […]

Text of speech by Michael Ewing, Coordinator of the Environmental Pillar Thank you chair The European ECO Forum would like to begin by thanking the Chair of the Task Force on Public Participation for his comprehensive and thoughtful report, and the members of the Task Force for their hard work to date in what is […]

Dublin – 9th May 2011. The Environmental Pillar of social partnership has criticised Fine Gael MEP Jim Higgins’ support for increasing fishing industry subsidies. Higgins is supporting European People’s Party members in calling for the Commission to double the financial assistance paid towards fuel costs for the fishing industry, because of rising oil prices.  But […]

Dublin – 21st April 2011. The Environmental Pillar of social partnership has called on Fine Gael and Labour to restate their commitment to the continued public ownership of Coillte. This follows Minister Brendan Howlin’s indications that he would not delay in moving on the sale of state assets identified in the McCarthy Report published yesterday. […]

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 […]