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 'Economy' 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’s response to the disgraceful article in today’s Irish Examiner from the Port of Cork
Published June 5, 2009 Cork Harbour , Economy , Local Elections , Marine , Planning , Port of Cork , Ringaskiddy Leave a CommentThere is an article on page 8 of today’s Irish Examiner by Sean O’Riordan, with comments from Capt. Michael McCarthy of the Port of Cork, which can be described as nothing less than scurrilous and pure propaganda. For a journalist of Sean O’Riordan’s standing to put his name to a diatribe like this shows that there is no such thing as journalism any more, just propaganda and spin. For Sean O’Riordan not to give either Dan Boyle or myself a right to respond to the completely false allegations against us personally and against the Green Party contained in the article, and for the article to appear in the paper on polling day when there is no time for a right of reply shows a complete lack of any journalistic ethic by either Sean O’Riordan or his editors.
As for the Port of Cork getting involved so overtly politically, this is not surprising, as their senior management and board are riddled with political appointees. Previously I would have considered Michael McCarthy a gentleman. I clearly gave the man too much credit. For him to misconstue in this way what the Green Party, through Dan Boyle and myself, has said and done with regard to Cork Harbour and the Port of Cork, is to show that this article is purely an attempt at political manipulation by the Port, and the article has no basis in fact.
I will finish by saying that I hope people are not taken in by this rant from the Port of Cork. For the record there are links below to both my written and oral statements to An Bord Pleanala on the Port of Cork’s application to move their container terminal to Ringaskiddy last year. These clearly outline that while I did vehemently oppose the port’s proposal, I am not in any way anti-port or anti-trade. In fact within my oral submission I argue that in the long term this move would make the region less competitive, as the port would quite simply be located in the wrong place in the harbour. I sincerely believe that if this move goes ahead, it will prove in the long term to be detrimental to Irish trade and local industry. The Green Party’s proposals for the development of tourism infrastructure in Cork Harbour are not in any way anti-port or anti-trade.
Dominick’s written submission to An Bord Pleanala about Port of Cork’s proposal to move their container terminal to Ringaskiddy: https://dominickdonnelly.com/links/written-submission-to-an-bord-pleanala-about-port-of-cork-in-ringaskiddy/
Dominick’s oral submission to An Bord Pleanala oral hearing for the Port of Cork’s proposal to move their container terminal to Ringaskiddy: https://dominickdonnelly.com/links/dominicks-oral-submission-to-port-of-cork-oral-hearing/
Cllr. 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 tougher planning laws
Published May 28, 2009 Economy , Environment , Housing , Local Government , Planning Leave a Comment28th May 2009
Gormley’s changes will make it much more difficult for councillor’s to zone too much land for development
The Green Party’s candidate for the Carrigaline area of Cork County Council and for Passage West Town Council, Cllr. Dominick Donnelly, has said that changes to planning laws announced today by Environment Minister John Gormley will allow for better planning in County Cork.
Cllr. Donnelly said: “The Green Party has brought in major changes to the planning system for the first time since tribunals were established to investigate corruption ten years ago. It will mean better services for our community based on sensible planning, and a clampdown on dodgy developments.”
“I particularly welcome the aspect of the new legislation which requires a two-thirds majority on the county or city council in order to zone land for development, whether it be for the adoption of the county development plan, or for an amendment to the plan. This will mean that no one party will be able to rezone land on their own, and should prevent the kind of corruption which Frank Dunlop used, and which has ended up with his imprisonment this week.”
Cllr. Donnelly continued: “In many ways the downfall of the Celtic Tiger happened in local authorities up and down the country getting too greedy, and zoning too much land for development. Much of this excess zoned land is what now makes up the toxic assets which have brought our banking system to the brink of collapse, and which have necessitated the setting up of NAMA. Most of this zoned land will see no development during my lifetime.”
“It was councillors from all the main parties, Fianna Fáil, Fine Gael, Labour and Sinn Féin who voted through these zonings on councils up and down the country. On many local authorities, it was only the Green Party representatives that opposed the widespread zoning of land for development. A classic example of this was my Green Party colleague on Monaghan County Council, Vincent P. Martin, who was the only councillor to oppose the adoption of their county development plan, a plan which effectively allowed for the doubling of the population of the county. Where are all these people going to come from? They don’t exist, and this sort of overzoning is clearly ridiculous, but it has taken a Green Party Minister for the Environment to sort it out, as all the other main parties are up to their eyeballs in overzoning. They seem to be too busy looking after their friends and backers to do a sensible job,” concluded Cllr. Donnnelly.
Cllr. Donnelly concluded: “On a final note, these most welcome changes will promote a much more sustainable level of development, which will help support the economic renewal of the country, and will help break the cycle of boom and bust economics which all the main parties seem hell bent on continuing.”
Cllr. Donnelly welcomes €696,400 funding for recycling in County Cork from the Environment Fund
Published May 23, 2009 Economy , Environment , Litter , Local Government , Waste Leave a Comment23rd May 2009
Cllr. Dominick Donnelly, Green Party member of Passage West Town Council and candidate for the Carrigaline area of Cork County Council, has welcomed the announcement from the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, John Gormley, of funding for the operating costs of bring banks and civic amenity sites from the Environment Fund. Cork County Council will receive €696,400 out of a total allocation of €6.4 million nationally for the period July to December 2008. This is an increase of €1.4 million over the equivalent period in 2007. The money in the Environment Fund comes from the Plastic Bag Levies and the Landfill Levies.
Cllr. Donnelly said: “It is very welcome news that Minister Gormley has increased the level of funding from the Environment Fund to help local authorities defray the costs of running bring banks and civic amenity sites. With the global market for recyclates suffering from a huge drop in prices currently, it is costing all local authorities significantly more than it used to, to provide bring banks and civic amenity sites. This demonstrates the Government’s determination to support measures to aid the recovery and recycling of waste.”
Cllr. Donnelly continued: “I hope that Cork County Council will now use this increased funding to remove the gate fee of €3 for the civic amenity sites which they imposed earlier this year. This gate fee is proving to be a huge disincentive for the public to do the right thing, and recycle as much of their waste as they possibly can. In these times of economic constraint on many families, it is vitally important that they do not incur extra costs in order to recycle their waste in the correct way. It is vital that Cork County Council removes the €3 gate fee for civic amenity sites right away.”
The best way to help the economy is for people to buy Irish in Irish owned shops, says Cllr. Donnelly
Published May 19, 2009 Economy , Food 1 Comment19th May 2009
Cllr. Dominick Donnelly, Green Party member of Passage West Town Council and candidate for Cork County Council, urges all consumers to help the Irish economy by buying Irish products, particularly food products, in Irish owned shops.
Cllr. Donnelly said: “From meeting many people working in the food industry as I go around canvassing, there is obviously huge pressure being put on this vital sector of our economy by the current recession. There is a huge temptation for consumers to go out and buy the cheapest products they can get, whatever the quality and wherever they have come from. People must understand that when they buy foreign produced food in foreign owned shops, most of that money is effectively leaving the Irish economy. However if they buy Irish made food is Irish owned shops, all of that money is staying in the Irish economy, which benefits us all.”
Cllr. Donnelly continued: “There is huge pressure being put on Irish owned shops and food producers by cheap imported food at the moment. Many of the large retailers, which are still highly profitable, are using the recession as an excuse to squeeze the margins of the Irish food producers. In the long term the only ones to gain from this will be their own shareholders, not the Irish consumers. For our own long term good, we must resist the temptation to save a few euros in the short term, as if the Irish food industry goes into decline, the effect on the Irish economy will be colossal, and that would have a very negative effect on all our pockets. It is vitally important that we secure the profitability of the Irish food and farming sectors, with all the hundreds of thousands of jobs within that sector, by buying quality Irish food in Irish owned shops, wherever we possibly can.”
Dominick’s oral submission to An Bord Pleanala on Ringaskiddy incinerators
Published May 14, 2009 Amenity , Cork Harbour , Cork Swansea Ferry , Economy , Energy , Environment , Heritage , Incineration , Marine , Ringaskiddy , Waste Leave a CommentCllr. Donnelly welcomes Minister Gormley’s initiative, which will help create thousands of jobs in the Irish recycling industry
Published May 13, 2009 Economy , Environment , Incineration , Waste Leave a Comment13th May 2009
Minister for Environment launches new Market Development Plan to create jobs from waste currently exported
Mr John Gormley, T.D., Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government today launched an innovative €13 million Market Development Programme to develop new markets and help create new Irish jobs by transforming waste into new sustainable products. Targeting entrepreneurs, third level institutions, manufacturers and waste organisations, over the next five years, the Market Development Programme will identify and help develop markets for a variety of waste streams including plastics, paper, metals, organics, glass and wood. Entrepreneurs interested in creating new businesses from waste can get further information at www.mdg.ie.
Green Party member of Passage West Town Council, and candidate for Cork County Council, Cllr. Dominick Donnelly, who co-authored the Green Party’s waste policy and who is very involved with CHASE in fighting the Ringaskiddy incinerators, said: “I welcome this initiative from Minister Gormley, which will help create a proper recycling industry in Ireland. In the past recycling in Ireland was only seen as the segregation of waste into different waste streams. Most of this was then exported to be reprocessed into something useful somewhere else. However a proper recycling industry in Ireland, where we treat our waste as a valuable resource, will create literally thousands of jobs and will be a huge boost to the Irish economy. This announcement from Minister Gormley is a first step along that road, where waste is no longer a problem, but is a valuable resource.”
Cllr. Donnelly continued: “I used to own and run the first green shop in Ireland, All That’s Green in Kinsale, where I used to import and sell many products made from recycled materials, such as stationery and plastics. Almost none of these recycled products came from Ireland. It struck me then how we should be treating all waste as a valuable resource, and turning it back into products which we can sell. The days of burying waste in a hole in the ground, or even worse, burning it in an incinerator, are thankfully coming to an end, and this Market Development Programme is very much part of the way forward.”
“I welcome this as the start of a new dawn in Ireland. I have been advocating for many years that we must not treat waste as a problem, but rather see it as a resource for recycling and reuse. This is the start of a whole new industry for Ireland, and I encourage all entrepreneurs to get involved,” concluded Cllr. Donnelly.
Cllr. Donnelly expresses regret that Cork Swansea ferry service will not resume until 2010
Published May 6, 2009 Cork Harbour , Cork Swansea Ferry , Economy , Marine , Ringaskiddy , Transport Leave a Comment6th May 2009
Cllr. Dominick Donnelly, Green Party member of Passage West Town Council and candidate for Cork County Council, has expressed regret that the new Cork to Swansea ferry service, which has been backed by a Cork based co-operative, will not now start its service until 2010.
Cllr. Dominick Donnelly, who is an investor in the co-operative backing the ferry, said: “It is a great pity that the operators were not able to get this service up and running this year. However they were always going to be up against the wire time-wise, and the delays in sorting out the purchase of the ferry Julia in Finland have made it impossible to get up and running in time for the main season this year. I wish to congratulate all of those who have put in enormous work to try to get this going this year, and we must all now be patient, and wait till next year to see this vital service up and running.”
“With the airline industry in an inevitable long slow decline due to climate change and rising oil prices, it is vital that our ferry and shipping links are developed. We are an island, and shipping will be absolutely essential for trade and tourism in the years and decades to come. Those behind the resumption of the Cork Swansea ferry service will be seen to be visionaries in the future. It is the only form of international transport which the planet can sustain,” Cllr. Donnelly concluded.
Cllr. Donnelly welcomes the Government’s setting up of an Inter-Departmental Marine Co-ordinating Group
Published May 2, 2009 Cork Harbour , Cork Swansea Ferry , Economy , Marine , Ringaskiddy , Transport Leave a Comment2nd May 2009
The Green Party’s candidate for the Carrigaline electoral area of Cork County Council and for Passage West Town Council, Cllr. Dominick Donnelly, has welcomed the announcement by the Minister of State with special responsibility for forestry, fisheries and the marine, Tony Killeen, that the Government has set up a high-level Inter-Departmental Marine Co-ordinating Group.
“As a public representative alongside the second largest natural harbour in the world, Cork Harbour, I welcome this initiative from the Government. It shows that the Government are taking maritime matters seriously. As an island nation, we have not always given maritime matters the attention we should have, but the sea is one of our greatest assets, and we are completely dependent on shipping for a huge proportion of our international trade,” Cllr. Donnelly said.
“With the twin problems of climate change and peak oil signalling the inevitable demise of air travel over the next couple of decades, we will once again have to look more to the sea for most, if not all, of our international trade and travel. Also much or our energy will be coming from the sea in the near future, with the technology for both wave and tidal power developing apace, as well as off-shore wind power. In Cork Harbour we have the prospect of the Marine and Energy Research Cluster (MERC) developing in Ringaskiddy, alongside the National Maritime College of Ireland, as well as the resumption of a ferry service between Cork and Swansea during the summer (Fastnet Line). Maritime matters will be even more central to our economic wellbeing in the future, and it is important that the Government take maritime issues seriously now to plan for that future,” Cllr. Donnelly concluded.
Dominick Donnelly 