While I am a bit down about my own result and that of my party nationally it must be put in perspective. Most people simply do not understand how important environmental issues are going to be over the coming years, including within the next five years of the local government term. In particular our media do not seem to have a clue. In choosing to effectively exclude the Green Party from local Government for the next five years, the Irish electorate has demonstrated that it is far more interested in giving out and looking backwards, rather than planning for a safe future for us all, and this is a decision that the electorate will come to rue. The only hope is that we stick at what we are doing in Government, putting the building blocks in place for us to deal with what is coming over the years ahead, and that in the next few years the Irish electorate, and the Irish media who have been dreadful over the past few years, start to understand what is really happening on our planet. We have to get away from our obsession with money and economics (witness George Lee’s huge vote) and realise that economics is just one pillar of good decision making, with the environmental and social pillars having equal importance. Unfortunately the electorate has all but eliminated those who understand the importance of the environmental pillar from local government, and largely replaced them with people who have limited understanding of any of the three pillars. A sad day for the future of this country.
Archive for the 'National Issues' Category
Bad election for the Green Party – Bad election for Ireland
Published June 7, 2009 Economy , Environment , Local Elections , Local Government , National Issues Leave a CommentCllr. Donnelly welcomes Minister Gormley’s clarification of waste policy for all planning authorities
Published June 3, 2009 Cork Harbour , Economy , Environment , Incineration , National Issues , Planning , Ringaskiddy , Waste Leave a Comment3rd June 2009
Department of Environment circular to all planning authorities makes it clear that mechanical and biological treatments, not incineration, are to be the cornerstones of national waste policy in the future
The Green Party’s candidate for the Carrigaline area of Cork County Council and for Passage West Town Council, Cllr. Dominick Donnelly, has welcomed the letter which has been circulated to all planning authorities around the country from the Department of the Environment, which clarifies that waste policy in the country is changing, with the emphasis switching away from incineration towards mechanical and biological treatment. This circular comes in advance of the full review of national waste policy which is currently being undertaken by consultants Eunomia, and which is due to be complete in July.
Cllr. Donnelly said: “This clarification that incineration is no longer a cornerstone of national waste policy, coupled with the recent introduction of an incineration levy comparable to the landfill levy, is highly significant for the planning application currently before An Bord Pleanála for two incinerators at Ringaskiddy. The oral hearing for that application is due to resume next Monday, and surely the message is coming loud and clear from Government that incineration is no longer part of Government policy. Given that when the Ringaskiddy incinerators were granted planning five years ago by An Bord Pleanála it was solely on the basis that it was Government policy, this clarification from Minister Gormley, I think now makes it impossible for the board to reasonably grant planning for the Ringaskiddy incinerators.”
“As well as this circular, and the recent incineration levies, I have seen the text of an order which Minister Gormley will be issuing next week, which in effect reinstates the Proximity Principle. This effectively means that any incinerator or landfill can only accept waste from whichever of the eight waste management regions in which it is situated. The Ringaskiddy incinerators would therefore be only able to accept waste from within County Cork. This really makes them non-viable financially, and so should be another nail in their coffin,” continued Cllr. Donnelly.
Cllr. Donnelly concluded: “With this series of measures introduced by Minister Gormley in recent weeks, I hope it is now patently clear that incineration is no longer a key component of national waste management policy. While an outright ban on incineration is not currently possible due to existing planning permissions in Poolbeg in Dublin, and in Carranstown, Co. Meath, it is now clear that Government policy is heading in that direction. Incineration is so clearly not the way we should be dealing with our waste. A proper waste industry based on reuse, recycling within this country, and mechanical and biological treatments is the only policy that makes any sense, both in terms of economics and the environment.”
Full text of Department of the Envrionment circular to planning authorities:
May 2009
Update on progress in respect of implementing the waste management provisions of the Programme for Government
I am directed by the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government to update you on progress in respect of implementing the waste management provisions of the Programme for Government, and in particular the commitment to conduct an international review of waste management policy.
The Programme for Government makes major commitments in relation to national waste policy. In particular, there is an emphasis on moving away from the high reliance on incineration foreseen in the National Development Plan and reflected in the regional waste management plans for which the local authorities have statutory responsibility, generally operating in regional groupings. In this regard it is intended that there be an increased commitment to the use of alternative technologies, including those known as mechanical and biological treatment.
The Department’s Statement of Strategy 2008-2010, which is published on the Department’s web site and which was noted by Government in July 2008, states:
”The new Programme for Government indicates a further development of waste and resource policy in the direction of sustainability, in particular, to move away from mass burn incineration towards alternative technologies and to minimise waste going to landfill, subject to the outcome of the review of the waste management strategy. This major international review being undertaken by the Department will address how best to implement waste prevention and minimisation, and the emergence of new technologies in waste management.”
Progress on the review of waste management strategy
Consultants have been retained to conduct the study of waste policy options which will underpin the conclusion of the overall review later this year. This work is well advanced and a series of interim reports has been considered by the Review Steering Group. It is considered that the study itself should be concluded on time, July 2009, with policy proposals being brought to Government shortly thereafter.
Interim policy measures
While this work is on target, it is acknowledged that progress towards meeting Ireland’s targets under the Landfill Directive and the requirements of the recently adopted Waste Framework Directive cannot wait. Therefore the Minister is pressing ahead with key initiatives which are compatible with the overall objectives of the review in order to meet the targets. These include:
- increase in the landfill levy and the introduction of a levy on incineration;
- roll-out of brown bin collections;
- intensifying efforts to promote at source/home composting;
- supporting small-scale local composting initiatives;
- encouraging access to waste streams for composting/anaerobic digestion, recycling and other processes high on the waste hierarchy; and,
- source segregated collection of commercial biowaste.
The Minister has also initiated a Strategic Environmental Assessment on proposed policy directions to the EPA and local authorities which would (in relation to their functions under the Waste Management Acts and any instruments made thereunder), inter alia, require the recipients to:
- limit incineration capacity to ensure that waste is not drawn to incineration which could have been dealt with by recycling or other methods higher up the waste hierarchy;
- refrain from exercising their powers in such a way as to direct waste to landfill or incineration.
The proposed policy direction is subject to consultation with both the public and all stakeholders, including local authorities.
The above are interim actions intended to help meet the Landfill Directive targets while implementing the commitments in the Programme for Government. The Minister considers that they are in line with the policies emerging from the overall review.
Queries in relation to this Circular may be addressed to the undersigned.
Yours sincerely,
Michael Layde
Principal Officer – Waste Policy: Review and Regulation
Cllr. Donnelly welcomes new legislation to regulate management companies
Published May 28, 2009 Housing , National Issues Leave a Comment28th May 2009
Green Party candidate for the Carrigaline area of Cork County Council and for Passage West Town Council, Cllr. Dominick Donnelly, has welcomed the introduction of the Multi-Unit Developments Bill which will help regulate management companies. The bill sets out new legislation on service charges, house rules and the resolution of disputes between management companies and apartment owners.
Cllr. Donnelly said: “Over the past decade, we saw a large increase in the building of apartments and small housing estates and the existing legislation under which property management companies currently operate is inadequate to deal with and resolve the various difficulties being experienced by individual apartment owners.”
Cllr. Donnelly continued: “Today’s announcement is a real boost for apartment owners in the Cork area as it provides more security within multi-unit developments. The Bill will improve the management and maintenance of the internal and external common areas in apartment complexes, and specify the calculation of service charges and the holding of annual meetings by management companies. The Bill also includes provisions for the resolution of disputes. These are all issues which have been coming up on the doors again and again.”
For more information see: www.oireachtas.ie
Cllr. Donnelly calls for directly elected mayor for County Cork
Published May 13, 2009 Local Elections , Local Government , National Issues , Transport Leave a Comment13 May 2009
Cork County Council should follow Dublin’s lead and elect a powerful mayor
Green Party county council candidate and former Mayor of Passage West, Cllr. Dominick Donnelly has said that people in County Cork would benefit from a powerful directly elected mayor with powers to direct transport, planning and other local services.
Following the announcement by Minister for Local Government John Gormley that Dubliners will be voting for a mayor with a range of new powers next summer, Cllr. Donnelly said: “Our county deserves a mayor with real powers, elected by the people – and answerable to them. We would benefit from an elected mayor that could better steer policies to create jobs and improve local services in our area. I hope that Dublin is just a starting point for powerful mayors and I encourage people to support my campaign for a directly elected mayor for County Cork.”
“The green paper on local government reform, published by Minister Gormley last April, was in favour of directly elected mayors in cities and counties. It also recommended that the democratic policy making function of local government would be strengthened by giving important powers of initiation – budgets, development plans etc, to the mayor. I hope that the forthcoming white paper which is due to be published soon will support this recommendation and I ask people to give me their support so I can convince John Gormley that County Cork needs a directly elected mayor,” concluded Cllr. Donnelly.
Links:
More details on Minister Gormley’s announcement can be found at: http://www.greenparty.ie/en/news/latest_news/elected_mayor_for_dublin_next_summer
The government’s green paper on local government reform can be accessed at: http://www.environ.ie/en/LocalGovernment/LocalGovernmentReform/
Cllr. Donnelly welcomes Government announcement of funding of €2.9 Million for Private House Grants for Older People and People with a Disability for South Cork
Published May 11, 2009 Housing , National Issues , Older People Leave a Comment11th May 2009
Cllr. Dominick Donnelly, Green Party member of Passage West Town Council and candidate for Cork County Council, has welcomed the recent announcement by Mr. Michael Finneran, T.D., Minister for Housing and Local Services, that his Department has allocated €2.9 million for the funding of Housing Adaptation Grants for Older People and People with a Disability in private houses for 2009 in Sout Cork, out of a total national allocation of €79.5 million.
Cllr. Donnelly said: “These schemes are vitally important in assisting older people and people with a disability to continue to live in their own homes and communities with the dignity that they deserve. There was a record level of activity under these schemes during 2008, and this year’s funding allocation allows for a high level of activity also. This funding is vital to give the elderly and those with disabilities to continue to live independently in their own homes.”
Cllr. Donnelly welcomes Gormley’s decision to scrap e-voting machines
Published April 24, 2009 Local Elections , National Issues Leave a Comment23 April 2009
Getting rid of failed voting devices only sensible course of action
The Green Party’s representative in the Carrigaline electoral area has welcome the announcement that Environment Minister John Gormley is to scrap the e-voting machines, that have so far cost the country €51m.
Cllr. Dominick Donnelly, who is running for election to both Cork County Council and Passage West Town Council said: “The last government made a substantial investment of taxpayers’ money in purchasing the machines and subsequently storing them, since the Greens entered government John Gormley has worked to find the best outcome for taxpayers.
“He reduced storage costs from €706,000 in 2006 to €204,000 last year, while at the same as investigating whether it was possible to get the machines working.
“In principle, the idea of e-voting is a good one, but voting is such an important activity that it must be totally above board and free from manipulation or error. There was no way these e-voting machines could guarantee that without further substantial investment, so the only option is to dispose of the machines.
“This is ‘a legacy issue’ based on decisions taken mainly by the 1997-2002 FF-PD government, but the opposition were also enthusiastic backers of electronic voting – with Fine Gael’s John Bruton and Labour’s Ruairi Quinn very vocal in their support.
“A taskforce will now be established to work out how the storage arrangements can be terminated and the machines disposed while returning to the taxpayers as much money as possible, The Environment Minister has taken decision action on this – in the interests both of the taxpayer and the democratic system,” Cllr. Donnelly concluded.
Cllr. Donnelly welcomes that members of the Oireachtas will no longer get teaching salary as well
Published April 15, 2009 Education , National Issues Leave a Comment8th April 2009
Green Party member of Passage West Town Council and candidate for the Carrigaline electoral area of Cork County Council, Cllr. Dominick Donnelly has welcomed the removal in yesterday’s budget of the facility for teachers who were elected to either the Dail or Seanad retaining their teaching salary as well as their Oireachtas salary, and only having to pay a substitute, usually on a far lower salary.
Cllr. Donnelly said: “This was a ridiculous provision which should have been removed a long time ago. I spoke in support of a motion at the recent Green Party convention to remove this perk, and it is wonderful to see how the Green Party are influencing Government to be fairer, and for members of the Oireachtas not just to be feathering their own nests. This is just one example of many perks enjoyed by members of the Oireachtas which the general public hates, and which leads many people to have no faith in the political system, or in the motivations of politicians.”
“In order to restore the faith of the public in politics, and in politicians, all such perks must go, and the Green Party will continue to push forward with these reforms. At a time of crisis like this, the importance of politics is brought sharply into focus, but in order for us all to move out of this crisis together the public must have confidence that those making the decisions on their behalf are motivated solely by their desire to serve society, and that they are not motivated by any desire just to look after themselves,” continued Cllr. Donnelly.
Cllr. Donnelly concluded: “The Green Party is entirely committed to cleaning up Irish politics, in order to restore the faith of the Irish public in the political system, and to bring politicians closer to the people they are meant to be serving. This is just one small but important step along that road.”
Get Ireland Growing: Cllr. Donnelly urges residents to take part in food campaign
Published April 15, 2009 Food , National Issues Leave a Comment29 March 2009
More home grown food is one recipe that can take Ireland forward
Cllr. Dominick Donnelly, Green Party member of Passage West Town Council and candidate for the Carrigaline area of Cork County Council has urged residents to take part in Get Ireland Growing, a campaign to encourage food growing at home and in the community. Cllr. Donnelly is calling on anyone interested in learning more about food growing or setting up a community garden or allotment scheme to contact him.
Cllr Donnelly said: “Over the last number of years Irish people have got increasingly interested in good food, cooking, and in living green lifestyles and there is huge interest in people wanting to grow their own food. If you have your own garden it’s easy to start growing, but if not, you may be interested in getting involved in a community garden or allotment scheme.
“Get Ireland Growing aims to get as many people as possible to start growing food and vegetables in allotments, community gardens, window boxes and their own back gardens. Growing your own food saves money, gets people out and about, can improve public health and cuts carbon emissions and food miles. It could also help enhance the community spirit.
Cllr. Donnelly said if residents in the community were interested in setting up an allotment or community garden in they should contact him to discuss setting up a local group. “I would also be interested in speaking to landowners or who may have suitable land for the scheme,” he said.
More information about the Green Party’s campaign can be found at www.getgrowing.ie.
Ban Noisy Car Exhausts via NCT Test, says Cllr. Donnelly
Published April 15, 2009 National Issues , Noise , Transport 1 Comment27th March 09
Green Party calls for ban on noisy cars with modified exhausts.
Cllr. Dominick Donnelly, the Green Party member of Passage West Town Council and candidate for the Carrigaline electoral area of Cork County Council, has welcomed proposals by the Road Safety Authority to tackle noise pollution from cars with modified exhausts.
Cllr. Donnelly said: “I’ve have been contacted by many residents suffering sleepless nights because of boy racers in noisy cars on residential roads in the early hours of the morning. Residents have to endure the loud grating sound of roaring exhausts while the dangerous drivers make donut rings on the roads.”
Fitting modified exhausts and silencer equipment is now illegal and the new NCT test is proposed to check car exhaust noise levels in order to ensure acceptable noise levels are not exceeded.
Under proposals released by the Road Safety Authority, a suggestion has been put forward to check car exhaust noise levels during the NCT. The RSA states: The nuisance caused by excessive noise from vehicle exhausts is regularly the subject of complaints received by the RSA. A new test is proposed at NCT whereby sound levels will be checked in order to ensure acceptable sound levels are not exceeded.
Green Party motion aims to stop TDs and senators getting double salaries
Published April 15, 2009 Education , National Issues Leave a Comment9th March 2009
At its annual convention over the weekend, the Green Party / Comhaontas Glas passed a motion calling on its parliamentary party to instigate legislation which will stop members of the Oireachtas who were previously public servants from effectively drawing two salaries. Under the current situation members of the Oireachtas who were public servants, mostly teachers, can take an indefinite leave of absence from their position, and still draw their full salary with all increments and pensions entitlements, and from this salary they must pay for a substitute, who is invariably on a much lower point on the salary scale, with the Oireachtas member pocketing the difference.
The motion, which was put forward by the Cork South Central Greens, was proposed by the Green Party candidate for the South Central ward of Cork City Council, Mary Ryder. Commenting on the motion, Ms. Ryder said: “This motion is about removing double standards, which politicians have voted for themselves. These double standards anger the public, and cost the taxpayer money. There is simply no justification for this. Members of all parties except the Green Party have availed of this, some for more than twenty years, purely to line their own pockets to the tune of maybe an extra €20,000 – €30,000 per annum on top of their Oireachtas salary. This has to stop and it has to stop now.”
At the convention the motion was also supported by Cllr. Dominick Donnelly, the Green Party candidate for the Carrigaline electoral area of Cork County Council and Passage West Town Council. Cllr. Donnelly commented: “This is the sort of thing which leads the public to regard politicians as only being in politics for what they can get out of it. It devalues politics, and undermines the public’s trust in those who are meant to be running the country. The only Green Party member of the Oireachtas who could have availed of this perk, Minister Trevor Sargent, has never done so. On election to the Dáil, Trevor Sargent immediately resigned his post as a national school principal. However members from all other parties have shown a complete lack of morals by taking an unlimited leave of absence from their positions, and continuing to draw their salaries while also drawing their Oireachtas salaries. This is an abomination.”
Full text of motion:
This convention
- notes that a number of elected representatives have taken temporary leave from public and civil service posts, including teaching.
- proposes that, on election to the Seanad, Dáil or European Parliament, such a career break be granted on the same basis as to all other teachers and other civil and public servants who take a career break: they have five years in which to either return to their jobs or retire, they do not receive a career salary or part thereof during their absence, they do not advance again on the incremental salary scale until and unless they resume their career.
- mandates its parliamentarians to initiate the legislative change necessary to implement this policy within the lifetime of this Dáil.
