Some very significant decisions now being handed down by An Bord Pleanála regarding peat extraction & the climate/biodiversity crises.
First its refusal to allow West Offaly peat power station to continue operating post-2021. Now this week this. THREAD/
First its refusal to allow West Offaly peat power station to continue operating post-2021. Now this week this. THREAD/
The photo shows Ballynafagh raised bog Special Area of Conservation near Prosperous in Co. Kildare.
It’s one of the most important & rare peatlands in Europe but as you can see it has been very badly damaged by turf cutting, conifer plantation, associated drainage & fire.
It’s one of the most important & rare peatlands in Europe but as you can see it has been very badly damaged by turf cutting, conifer plantation, associated drainage & fire.
Turf cutting stopped here around 2010, though it should really have stopped more than a decade earlier when the bog was designated by Ireland for protection under the Habitats Directive.
The government offered financial compensation or relocation to affected turf cutters.
The government offered financial compensation or relocation to affected turf cutters.
Relocation of course makes no sense when it comes to the climate& biodiversity crises - we need to leave peat in ground & restore bogs.
9 turf cutters opted for relocation at Ballynafagh. Govt proposed a relocation site adjacent to the bog (yellow - ‘Coolree’). Blue area is SAC.
9 turf cutters opted for relocation at Ballynafagh. Govt proposed a relocation site adjacent to the bog (yellow - ‘Coolree’). Blue area is SAC.
The Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht @josephamadigan applied for planning permission to implement this plan.
In Dec 2018, @KildareCoCo refused permission, mainly on biodiversity grounds.
In Dec 2018, @KildareCoCo refused permission, mainly on biodiversity grounds.
The Minister appealed to An Bord Pleanála & earlier this week the Board refused permission *for reasons of climate breakdown*
The climate/biodiversity crises are snowballing to become a crisis of governance not least because they have been ignored for so long.
Until recently it perhaps appeared to successive govts that those in other positions of power could be counted on to play ball - not anymore.
Until recently it perhaps appeared to successive govts that those in other positions of power could be counted on to play ball - not anymore.
As the environmental crises quicken & deepen, things are beginning to unravel.
What do you do when independent bodies start to #UniteBehindTheScience & take decisions in the public good?
When An Bord Pleanála says ‘enough is enough’?
What do you do when independent bodies start to #UniteBehindTheScience & take decisions in the public good?
When An Bord Pleanála says ‘enough is enough’?
Next, presumably Longford Co Co will permit Lough Ree power station & An Bord Pleanála will refuse permission on appeal, for same reasons it refused permission for West Offaly: a peat&biomass power station does not = “proper planning & sustainable dev” irishtimes.com/news/environme…
What’s your next move as Minister when the old certainties are no longer certain?
When power plants are gone from your energy plans?
When you promised to relocate people but shouldn’t have?
Presumably: get a just energy transition going like *YESTERDAY*. (Image: @selc_org)
When power plants are gone from your energy plans?
When you promised to relocate people but shouldn’t have?
Presumably: get a just energy transition going like *YESTERDAY*. (Image: @selc_org)
When Enda Kenny was Taoiseach he once met with key stakeholders to discuss their policy concerns.
After politely replying in turn, he had two words for the @Env_Pillar: “GET REAL”.
A true “physician, heal thyself” moment & one his successors may regret at their leisure.
After politely replying in turn, he had two words for the @Env_Pillar: “GET REAL”.
A true “physician, heal thyself” moment & one his successors may regret at their leisure.
Enda’s predecessors & successor also on the hook, of course!
But clearly the tide is turning in Ireland as people & authorities begin to #UniteBehindTheScience. ENDS/
But clearly the tide is turning in Ireland as people & authorities begin to #UniteBehindTheScience. ENDS/
Re An Bord Pleanála’s “refusal to allow West Offaly peat power station to continue operating post-2021”: NB. it’s post the beginning of 2021 - West Offaly’s current permission expires on 31 December 2020.
