Monthly Archive for June, 2009

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An Bord Snip: Cuts to environment face danger of fines

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on June 30, 2009
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Ireland will inevitably face daily fines from the European Court of Justice if cuts are imposed on environmental funding.

The stark warning came from Friends of the Irish Environment, an environmental lobby group that specialises in European environmental law. The group has provided the Commission with a number of dossiers since 1997.

Director Tony Lowes said that ‘Ireland now faces 8 cases in which the original court judgment has not been addressed and the European Commission has notified Ireland that it is returning to Court to seek fines for non-compliance.’

Examples include:

Cuts to major infrastructure projects for urban waste water. Capital investment is required for new and improved infrastructure, its operation, and for its monitoring and enforcement. The judgment was given by the Court in June 2005.

Quality of drinking water issues dating from a 2002 ruling against Ireland. Yet some schemes still have not been upgraded to meet the new water standards, particularly in Galway. Hundreds of schemes still have no chlorine monitors, particularly in Cork.

Backlogs in appeals against designations under the Birds Directive. The failure here has frozen the issue of permits for aquaculture installations for many years, adding an extra burden to that industry as well as jeopardising the environment.

In the area of natural habitats, appropriate levels of funding have not even to date have not been made available to the Department of the Environment. Vacancies unfilled and shortages in technical staff are unaddressed in both the National Parks and Wildlife Service and the National Geological Survey of Ireland.

Ireland is required under recent judgment to put in place an effective and national monitoring programme for flora and fauna both on land and sea. Specialist ecologist staff must be recruited in areas like invertebrates and birds to avoid a return to Court.

The organisation said that it would be a ‘false economy not to meet the requirements of the European Court of Justice and provide the relevant authorities with sufficient funds to avoid fines which can run to many millions of euro.’

Verification and further information: Tony Lowes 027 74771 / 087 2176316

Website: http://www.friendsoftheirishenvironment.org

This Press Release:

http://www.friendsoftheirishenvironment.net/friendswork/index.php?do=friendswork&action=view&id=790

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Report on the North Atlantic Salmon Conservation Organisation ( NASCO ) 2009 Annual Conference, Molde, Norway

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on June 26, 2009
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Report of Irish Seal Sanctuary delegate to the North Atlantic Salmon Conservation Organisation ( NASCO ) 2009 Annual Conference, held this year in Molde, Norway.

The conference was centred this year in the coastal fishing region of the town of Molde where 25% of Norway’s sea fishermen hail from. Delegates and state representatives of Countries and organisations who are signatories to the nasco North Atlantic convention on wild salmon were among the attendance. These were from a wide International and Intercontinental background, with management and scientific skills and access to bodies such as ICES etc.,. The EU delegation took a prominent part in debates and were very ready to put forward their opinions on matters under discussion.

Overall the business of the meeting was conducted in a highly efficient professional manner.

At the opening of proceedings on the first day of the meeting the ISS was welcomed and presented to the meeting by the Nasco president as a new NGO member. The ngo group’s chairman and spokesperson, Mr. Chris Poupard. in his opening address to the meeting also gave us a glowing welcome to nasco. We were able to subscribe to this NGO grouping as it’s aims on the survival of the wild salmon species are compatible with ISS views on conservation. The above opinion was formed on reading a draft document, agreed by the Ngo grouping prior to commencement of proceedings at the conference, which was given to me by Mr. Poupard. Being affiliated to this group has a distinct advantage, I believe, in having individual voices heard in making comments, or in asking questions through the medium of the spokesperson, as it appears to have greater import to those to whom they are addressed.

I also attended an important meeting within the NGO grouping, – outside of the official scheduled NASCO Agenda items, – at which I was able to contribute to a debate on a particular Irish issue on which the group had limited up to date knowledge. I was thanked by the chairman for my contribution.

It would be impossible to cover in this report in any in depth format, all the happenings at the many meetings and side events that were occurring daily at this gathering, but one item cannot go without serious comment, and putting down a marker for monitoring and taking action in future on what appears to be now a recurring theme in the wild salmon debate. The above item I am referring to is the showing of a colour slide at the end of a presentation, of a seal dining on what was purported to be a wild salmon, with the presenter posing the question, – is it now time to look at the possibility that seals are contributing in a major way to the decline in salmon numbers? This red herring conclusion would benefit several vested interests who failed to protect wild salmon from the predations of humans. The slide was not as provocative as the slides shown at the Shannon Regional Fisheries Board National Conference, a month previous to Molde, where the slides showed salmon torn to shreds by seals pulling them from salmon nets.

To conclude on a positive note I can say with sincerity that I believe that the presence of the ISS in NASCO will be of benefit to the marine environment, and that nasco has nothing to fear from like minded conservationists. Indeed I pointed out to the NGO grouping (at the ngo meeting mentioned above) that in reality seals were their friends and that they should be thankful to them that salmon have been given a chance of survival.

Pat Peril.

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Report on 61st Annual Meeting of International Whaling Commission

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on June 26, 2009
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Report on 61st Annual Meeting of International Whaling Commission,

22nd – 26th June 2009, Madeira, Portugal

Report by Irish Seal Sanctary.

The ISS attended, with assistance from IEN, as registered international observer and submitted a well received Opening Statement.

Financial constraints and ongoing need to register independently of NPWS, meant a quick access/exit by economy flights via. Lisbon was necessary, on way out. By independent search we managed to get the conference hotel at c. half delegates rate, thus enjoying quick and easy access to all, maximising our impact and contribution to emerging and growing involvement of civil society. Regrettably we did not get to attend select Scientific and Working group meetings, prior to Plenaries, but hard work and research compensated.

Working with Commissioner John FitzGerald, as always most helpful, as we hope we were to him also and our recommendations to resource the Irish Delegation better; to be registered and IW@DG also with Irish delegation for same fee still stands. This excellent Commissioner, at very least deserves his own back-up.

The closing stages of the USA/Japanese Chair sadly showed no great advance and is under new Argentinean Chair to go to yet another Intersessional(3rd meeting in 12 months, somewhat at conflict with the USA/Norway consensus resolution on climate change…..   quite a footprint!).

From the outset in the quest for consensus, the meeting was hostage to Denmark’s well flagged resolution on behalf of Greenland to change quotas and include Humpbacks, without providing adequate scientific evidence, as requested. The excellent Scientific work apart, the usual chestnut of Japanese whaling and the Greenland issue were to be the consensus breaker. The E.U. was firmly opposed to Denmark’s proposal from day 1, but as an observer it was easy to see what was coming, even before Commissioners knew (36 hours before and telephone wires were burning up to Washington and Brussels!!).

To sustain the consensus and process, the E.U. bloc folded, meeting was shortly after concluded a day early and referred to another Intersessional.

The ISS has completed its program, though our presence is widely requested for the future. We can pursue our promotion of Sanctuaries by other means and will discuss our future involvement and representation at our own BoD in the future and whether we wish to remain involved in what is without doubt a Puppet Parliament for many other issues behind scenes and for which whales are mere leverage.

The Minister should resource his Commissioner better and allow Ireland take a more pro-active role in pursuance of Sanctuaries in particular and good science. In this we would be glad to assist. It would enhance our credibility and standing also to enact the Irish Whale and Dolphin Sanctuary into International Law and greatly increase our influence in the many related areas from food security to climate change, etc. Ireland’s star has faded greatly since promoting the Southern Ocean Sanctuary and holding the IWC Chair and many would like to see the Irish Commissioner again taking a lead position, in ongoing difficult impasse. Leadership is lacking and if Ireland does not wish to lead on key issues, the Minister might better refer IWC back to High Governing Parties. ISS would like to see a roadmap for Irish involvement from our Minister.

Further information in Opening Statement and IWC proceedings.

http://www.iwcoffice.org/Meetings/meeting2009.htm

Brendan Price  EuroProBiol//ISS representative to IWC

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Consultation on cessation of turf cutting

Published
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on June 20, 2009
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Title: Consultation on cessation of turf cutting
Location: Department of Environment
Deadline: 17/07/09

The deadline for submissions to the working group on the cessation of turf cutting is July 17. Submissions can be made by email to desi...@environ.ie

or in writing to: The Secretary, Cessation of Turf Cutting Working Group, National Parks & Wildlife Service, 7 Ely Place, Dublin. The working group is due to report its recommendations to the Minister in October of this year.

Article on Department website, dated 27/03/09

http://www.environ.ie/en/Heritage/NationalParksandWildlife/News/MainBody,19872,en.htm

Government approves continuation of turf cutting for 2009

The Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, Mr John Gormley, today (27 Mar 09) announced that the Government is putting in place a broad consultative process to prepare for the phasing out of domestic turf cutting on designated raised bog Special Areas of Conservation and Natural Heritage Areas over the coming years. Turf cutting on over 95% of Irish peatlands, will be unaffected. In addition, cutting on blanket bog Special Areas of Conservation will be allowed to continue under the current restrictions.

Cutting on all bogs during 2009 will be allowed to continue as before.

Most bogs not affected
A derogation, permitting a ten year continuation of cutting for domestic use, which was granted by the Government in 1999, expires this year on 32 raised bogs. The Minister said that only a small proportion, 4%, of peatlands in the State would be affected by this measure. There are over 1,500 raised bogs in the State and only 139 of these have been designated for nature protection.

Proposals to be drawn up for bogs affected
The Minister announced the establishment of a working group to examine and report on issues involved in implementing the cessation and undertaking the restoration of these bogs. This group is to report back to the Government by the autumn with proposals on methods of compensation, where appropriate, overall costs, possible sources of funding, and on the administration of the cessation of turf cutting and restoration of these bogs. The Working Group will be made up of officials from relevant Government Departments, Offices and Agencies and will be required to consult widely with relevant interests.
Ireland has large portion of EU’s remaining raised bogs
The Minister said: “Raised bogs are hugely important and support exceptional but increasingly rare ecosystems. Because of this they are priority habitats under the EU Habitats Directive and Ireland is legally obliged to protect them. We have already exploited over 95% of the raised bogs that we once had. It is right for us to ensure protection of a small proportion of what remains. Although the Government has operated a voluntary purchase scheme for the past 10 years, and restrictions have been in place for cutting on designated raised bogs, these measures have been unsuccessful in protecting these bogs. The scientific advice is very clear. Continued turf-cutting on protected raised bogs is incompatible with their preservation. Therefore the Government has no option but to bring about a complete cessation of turf cutting on these sites, as signalled in 1999.” said Minister Gormley

“Last year, I published a review of the state of our habitats that revealed severe and continuing damage to protected raised bogs.  Because of continued turf-cutting and associated drainage, we are losing the last remnants of this rare habitat at a rate of 2% to 4% per annum.”

“I am setting up the Working Group to consider and report back as a matter of urgency on questions such as the provision of compensation, where appropriate, and how to achieve effective preservation and restoration of these bogs. The Government is fully aware of the concerns of people using these bogs at present, and of those interested in their preservation. The Working Group will be asked to invite the views of interested parties and give them an opportunity to raise concerns they might have.”  Minister Gormley added.

Bogs Contribute to Carbon Reduction, Reduced Flooding and Water Quality
The Minister added that intact bogland is a valuable long term resource as a carbon sink.    “Active or growing bogs take carbon from the atmosphere and store it. Restoring these bogs will be positive in terms of climate change mitigation”. Intact bogs also serve as reservoirs for water and help to mitigate against flooding.

ENDS

Note for Editors

· The total area of bogland available for cutting peat is 850,000 hectares which includes all blanket bog and raised bog areas with the potential to extract turf.

· The maximum total area for which is proposed to end turf cutting now or in the future is 35,000ha or just over 4%.

· The total area of privately owned raised bog habitat on the 32 bogs on which it is now proposed to end cutting by the end of 2009 is estimated to be 7,774 hectares or less than 1%. The State has already acquired a third of the area of these bogs.

Media queries:
Press and Information Office
Tel: (01) 888 2638  (direct)
(01) 888 2000
E-Mail: press-office@environ.ie
Web site: www.environ.ie

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Consultation on the Legislation to Transpose the Aviation Directive

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on June 12, 2009
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Title: Consultation on the Legislation to Transpose the Aviation Directive
Location: Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government
Link out: Click here
Deadline: 2009-07-03

The Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government invites comments from interested parties on the legislation transposing the Aviation Directive (2008/101/EC).

The Aviation Directive extends the Emissions Trading Scheme to aviation activities. It aims to reduce the climate change impact attributable to aviation by including emissions from aviation activities in the Emissions Trading Scheme. This will lead to a reduction of CO2 across the EU.

The Directive will be transposed in 2 phases by secondary legislation. A consultation document outlining the approach being adopted in transposing the Directive and detailing the first phase of transposition is provided to assist this consultation process. The draft Aviation Regulations (Phase 1) as well as a guidance document on the Regulations are also provided. The Environmental Protection Agency will be designated as the competent authority for the purposes of the Directive and the legislation transposing it.

More information

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Review of the Residential Tenancies Act 2004 – Public Consultation

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on June 9, 2009
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Title: Review of the Residential Tenancies Act 2004 – Public Consultation
Location: Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Governmen
Link out: Click here
Description: The Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government is currently reviewing the provisions of the Residential Tenancies Act 2004 and public comments are now sought.
Deadline: 2009-07-10

Review of the Residential Tenancies Act 2004  – Public Consultation

The Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government is currently reviewing the provisions of the Residential Tenancies Act 2004 and public comments are now sought.

Residential Tenancies Act 2004

The Residential Tenancies Act of 2004 instituted a comprehensive reform of the private rental sector and as part of that the Private Residential Tenancies Board was established in 2004. Additionally, the Act set out a modern legislative code that strengthened tenants’ rights and supported a more professional approach by landlords.
Residental Tenancies Act 2004

Private Residential Tenancies Board (PRTB)

The PRTB was established as an independent statutory body in September 2004 and its principal functions are:

  • the operation of a national registration system for private rental tenancies,
  • the resolution of disputes between tenants and landlords, and
  • the provision of information, assistance and advice to the Minister and to the general private rental sector.

At 30 April 2009, over 221,000 active tenancies were registered with the PRTB, representing 107,500 landlords and more than 379,000 tenants.

During 2007 the PRTB received almost 1,500 dispute applications for determination, and slightly in excess of that in 2008.  These disputes are in areas such as deposit retention, illegal eviction, rent arrears, anti-social behaviour and various other breaches of landlord or tenant obligations.

Review

The purpose of the Review is to consider whether the Residential Tenancies Act 2004 optimally supports the PRTB’s key functions and whether legislative amendments would support either the achievement of additional operational efficiencies or the broader good working of the private rented sector. However, the fundamental balance between landlords’ and tenants’ rights, established by the Residential Tenancies Act 2004, will not be disturbed. The Review will examine the specific issues set out below as well as other issues identified in the course of the Review.

Terms of Reference

  1. The scope for enhancing procedural simplicity and efficiency.
  2. To consider the existing Board and Committee structure and the functional relationship between the Board and Executive.
  3. To consider the relationship between the Minister/Department and the PRTB.
  4. Legislative issues, including proposals already made by the Board, and to examine the need for additional legislative provisions arising from the review.

Opinions, Comments

Comments should be returned BY FRIDAY 10 JULY 2009, to Private Housing Section, Custom House, Dublin 1, 01 – 8882309/8882258, email: private.housing@environ.ie

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Aarhus Convention Training Day

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on June 4, 2009
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Title: Aarhus Training Day
Location: Dublin
Description: 8th there will be an Aarhus training day. The one day event will include sessions on each of the three Pillars, Information Participation and Justice, as well as its revolutionary Compliance Mechanism. Mara Silina, who leads the ECO-Forum actions around the Convention, is hoping to be here to give an overview.
Date: 2009-06-08

NOTE: A light lunch will be provided.  Travel expenses at public transport rates will be refunded for invoices provided.  If in order to attend the attendee needs to stay overnight before the meeting please contact me and Michael Ewing will try to arrange B&B for 1 person per group.

To reserve a place contact Michael Ewing at:

Tel: 00353 (0)71 9667373

Mob: 00353 (0)86 8672153

Skype name: michaelk.ewing

Aarhus Convention Training Day

Mon 8th June 2009

Carmel Hall, Carmelite Community Centre, Aungier1 St, Dublin

Agenda

09.30 Registration, Tea/Coffee

09.45 Introduction to the day

09.50 Introduction to the history of the Convention and the role of the NGOs

– Mara Silina ECO Forum (see below)

10.10 The three pillars of the Convention – Pillar I.  Access to Information on   the Environment – Michael Ewing IEN

10.25 Irish Legislation and the role of the Commissioner for Environmental Information – Elizabeth Dolan CEI (see below)

10.45 Questions and answers regarding the three presentations

11.00 Tea/ Coffee

11.15 Workshop session

What are the problems experienced with access to information and what can we do to ensure the implementation of Pillar I of Aarhus?

12.15. The three pillars of the Convention – Pillar II.  Public Participation

- Michael Ewing IEN

12.35 Lunch

13.20 Workshop Session

What are the problems experienced with Public Participation and what can we do to ensure the implementation of Pillar II of Aarhus?

14.05 Ireland’s lead role in the Task Force on Public Participation

- Phil Kearney

14.20 The three pillars of the Convention – Pillar III.  Access to Justice

- Michael Ewing IEN

14.30 Access to Justice in Ireland

- Alison Haugh – Barrister

14.50 The Aarhus Compliance Mechanism – an introduction and users guide

- Andrew Jackson – FIE

15.10 Tea/Coffee

15.25 Workshop Session

What are the problems experienced with Access to Justice and what can we do to ensure the implementation of Pillar III of Aarhus?

16.10 Review of the day and the way forward

16.45 Close the Day- Mara Silina

Speakers

Mara SILINA is the Chair of the Coordination Board of ECO Forum, which develops its contributions on the basis of broad and inclusive consultation process among all interested environmental citizens groups in the UNECE region. The main decision-making body is Plenary (meetings are organised during EfE Ministerial conferences and in preparation to them in order to coordinate NGO input in the preparatory process). In period between plenaries all ECO Forum activities are coordinated by the Coordination Board (CB), composed of the ECO-Forum Issue Groups (IG) coordinators, Chairperson and Treasurer. The European ECO Forum (ECO Forum) is ad hoc Coalition of environmental citizens’ organisations and other NGOs acting in the UNECE region and primarily focusing on the “Environment for Europe” (EfE) Ministerial process. She is also the Coordinator of the EEB programme on the Aarhus Convention. http://www.eco-forum.org/index.php

Elizabeth Dolan is a Senior Investigator in the Office of the Commissioner for Environmental Information.  With effect from 1 May 2007, Emily O’Reilly has been assigned the role of Commissioner for Environmental Information (CEI) under the Access to Information on the Environment Regulations (S.I. No. 133 of 2007). The role of the CEI is to decide appeals taken by members of the public who are not satisfied with the outcome of their requests for environmental information.

http://www.ocei.gov.ie/en/AccesstoInformationontheEnvironment-LegislativeFramework/
Phil Kearney is Chair Designate of the Aarhus Ad Hoc Expert Group on Public Participation.  At the Third Meeting of the Parties (MOP3) to the Convention, Ireland offered to lead a future Task Force on Public Participation. For procedural reasons, the Meeting agreed to start with an ad hoc expert group on public participation and upgrade this to the status of a task force as soon as possible and at the latest by the next ordinary meeting of the Parties.  Phil has been nominated by the Irish Government to chair this Group
Alison Haugh BCl, LLM, BL is a practising barrister in the area of planning and environmental law.  Alison spent a year in the IT Sligo researching the implementation in Ireland of the access to justice provisions of the Aarhus Convention. Her findings can be read as part of the report available at: www.environmentaldemocracy.ie
Andrew Jackson B.A. LL.M. M.Sc. worked as a solicitor in London, latterly for the UK government’s Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.  He is currently pursuing an IRCSET-funded Ph.D. in the Department of Geography at Trinity College Dublin, focusing on climate change and nature conservation policy.

Michael Ewing is the Coordinator of the Environmental Pillar of Social Partnership.  Prior to this he was lead researcher on a two year research project at the Centre for Sustainability, IT Sligo into the Implementation of the Aarhus Convention in Ireland.  The findings are available at www.environmentaldemocracy.ie

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Meeting Ireland’s electricity needs post-2020

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on June 2, 2009
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Title: Meeting Ireland’s electricity needs post-2020
Location: Joint Committee on Climate Change and Energy Security
Deadline: 20th July, 2009

Joint Commitee on climate change and energy security

Call for submissions

Meeting Ireland’s electricity needs post-2020

The Joint Committee on Climate Change and Energy Security, chaired by Sean Barrett T.D., is a Parliamentary Committee comprising members of Dáil Eireann and Seanad Eireann. The Orders of Reference of the Committee include a requirement “to consider the levels of power supply that can be generated from renewables and other new power supplies”. The Joint Committee now wishes to consult more widely on matters relating to meeting our electricity needs post-2020, recognising that the long-term goal is to decarbonise the electricity system in ways that would be compatible with overarching sustainable development policy.

Given the pervasive nature of the issues involved and their local and national impact, the Joint Committee believes that the widest possible consultation is necessary and hereby invites written submissions from all interested individuals and organisations. A guidance note on the areas submissions should address is available on the Oireachtas website (www.oireachtas.ie) under the Joint Committee’s Home Page. Submissions received will be posted on the website.

Submissions should be made not later than 6 July 2009 and may be emailed to: energysecurity@oir.ie

or posted to:

Clerk to the Joint Committee on Climate Change and Energy Security
Leinster House
Kildare Street
Dublin 2.

Guidance for Submissions

Overview

The Joint Committee on Climate Change and Energy Security’s orders of reference require it, inter alia, “to consider the levels of power supply that can be generated from renewables and other new power supplies”.

The Committee has reviewed the EU 2020 Climate Change Package and has noted the Government’s level of ambition for renewable energy in electricity supply, the EU’s commitment to and proposals for the demonstration of carbon capture and storage, and has heard evidence on nuclear energy.

The Committee, recognising that the long-term goal is to de-carbonise the electricity system, now wishes to consult more widely on matters relating to meeting our electricity requirements post-2020 in ways that would be compatible with Ireland’s overarching sustainable development needs and policy.

The purpose of this consultation is to identify any steps that we should take now to be in a position to facilitate investment and other decisions to ensure the sustainability of electricity supply post-2020. The White Paper “Delivering a Sustainable Energy Future for Ireland” has set clear goals, actions and targets for the electricity supply system to 2020.

Given the economically and socially pervasive nature of the issues involved, and their local and national impacts, the Committee believes that the widest possible consultation is necessary and hereby invites submissions from all interested individuals and organisations.

Terms of reference

The consultation aims to inform the Committee specifically on the levels of power supply that can be generated from:

  • renewable energy sources
  • other new power supplies

having considered:

  • medium and long-term climate change targets and the key measures needed to meet those targets

and in the context of:

  • the projected energy demand from transport and the implications for energy security and emissions targets.

Scope

The scope of the consultation and subsequent process is to identify what steps, if any, need to be taken in the near-term to ensure the sustainable development of electricity supply beyond 2020 and further that no viable power supply option is inadvertently closed off for consideration and effective deployment for lack of timely support or attention.

There are three competing classes of options under development which may be characterised as:

  • Renewable energies (new and existing)
  • Carbon capture and storage (CCS)
  • Nuclear

These are the primary technologies and related topics on which responses are invited in the context of effective demand management, energy security and greenhouse gas emission abatement targets.

Policy Context

The emphasis in current policy for the power generation mix is on the exploitation of renewable energy sources (40% by 2020) and the management of our dependence on natural gas (limited to not more than 50% in electricity generation by 2020) combined with the phasing out of oil and the implied reduced role for coal and peat supplemented by biomass.

On the demand side there is a firm commitment to maximise Ireland’s Energy Efficiency as set out in the National Energy Efficiency Action Plan 2009-2020. The target for 2020 is a 20% improvement in end use efficiency across the economy. Furthermore it is the Government’s ambition that 10% of new cars be electric by 2020.

Those making submissions can consult the Government White Paper “Delivering a Sustainable Energy Future for Ireland”.

http://www.dcenr.gov.ie/NR/rdonlyres/54C78A1E-4E96-4E28-A77A-3226220DF2FC/27356/EnergyWhitePaper12March2007.pdf

Following its launch in January 2008, the EU 2020 Climate Change package received its first reading at the European Parliament on December 17 and was adopted on 9th April 2009. If agreement on an international climate framework to succeed Kyoto is reached at COP15 in Copenhagen, the EU’s emission reduction target increases to 30% and Ireland’s level of effort will ramp up as a result.

This level of ambition, when combined with renewable energy targets of 16% in energy supply and with a 20% increase in energy efficiency throughout the economy, will drive significant change in the whole energy system, with even greater impacts on electricity supply and use.

The IEA World Energy Outlook 2008 concluded that the growth in energy demand world-wide, and for oil in particular, was unsustainable. A supply of reliable and affordable energy could be effected by a rapid transition to a low-carbon, efficient and environmentally benign energy system. Central to the evolution of such a system is the de-carbonisation of the electricity supply system.

To achieve a climate stabilisation scenario of 2 degrees Celsius or a CO2 equivalent concentration of 450ppm, the IEA has identified the most likely world-wide sources of the required emission reductions as energy efficiency (54%), renewable energy (23%), CCS (14%), and nuclear (9%).

Given the recent experience of natural gas price volatility, its impact on competitiveness, and the ongoing need to de-carbonise electricity supply in the longer term, there will be a requirement for informed strategic decision-making in relation to the role of gas and other low carbon energy sources in electricity supply post-2020.

Questions for respondents

Submissions are invited to address the following the questions. Please respond to any or all of the questions and, if possible, supply references to published material to support your answers.

  1. What do you consider to be the current state of readiness, likely feasibility, and efficacy of the principal options for new sources of power generation in Ireland post-2020?
  2. What measures should be taken to improve the prospects for the deployment of new sources of power generation after 2020?
  3. Do you have a view on how or whether recourse to one or more principal options precludes others?
  4. How should competing options be evaluated and who should be consulted?
  5. Do current, and future envisaged, electricity market structures raise issues for the putative new generation sources?
  6. What supports, tariffs, and other provisions, if any, are appropriate for each of the technology options?
  7. Considering the scale of investment needed and the long lead times associated with additional infrastructure and new generation sources such as CCS and nuclear, how could these and other factors that impact on the cost of capital be mitigated in the public interest?
  8. Do the arrangements in place for infrastructure planning, permitting and provision strike an appropriate balance between private and public interests?
  9. Are there stand-alone distributed generation technologies, or cross-cutting technologies such as CHP, for which special provision should be made?
  10. Is the balance of emphasis on expanding electricity supply and reducing demand growth optimal? How is it best measured and expressed?

Submissions should be sent by 6th July 2009 to:

Clerk to the Joint Committee on Climate Change and Energy Security
Leinster House
Kildare Street
Dublin 2

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Local Agenda 21 Environmental Partnership Fund 2009

Published
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on June 1, 2009
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Title: Local Agenda 21 Environmental Partnership Fund 2009
Location: Department of Environment
Deadline: 2009-06-12

Download application form

Local Agenda 21 Environmental Partnership Fund 200

  • Proposals for Local Agenda 21 Environmental Partnership projects should be submitted to the relevant local authority by Friday 12th June 2009.

PLEASE NOTE THE FOLLOWING:

1.      Commercial/business projects are not eligible for funding.

2.      If making more than one application please ensure you use the same project title and full name in all cases.

3.      In order to ensure that the fund prioritises locally identified environmental needs, it should be noted that no single project may apply to more than ten local authorities.

4.      Approval of a grant application is conditional on tax clearance requirements being met.  Where the combined total value of all your applications exceeds €10,000 nationwide, you are required to submit a copy of your current Tax Clearance Certificate with each application.

5.      If this application for funding is successful, the applicant will be required to submit a brief report to the Local Authority on the achievements of the project before Monday 3rd May 2010. Failure to do so may jeopardise future funding under the scheme.

6.      Projects deemed worthy of support might include community gardens, allotments and compost schemes, rainwater harvesting systems, ecological education initiatives and environmental exhibitions.

Further information can be obtained from the Environment Awareness/Education Officer of your local authority or on-line at www.environ.ie