| Tuesday, December 16 2008 |
TIPT is a free weekly environmental news service published by Friends of the Irish Environment. This is the last TIPT before the Christmas holidays. There will be a BEST OF TIPT 2008 for 31 December, 2008. We wish all our readers a very happy holiday season.
http://friendsoftheirishenvironment.net/ |
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Deal to slash carbon emissions could cost EUR lbn a year |
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 EU leaders have agreed a climate-change package which could cost Ireland up to EURlbn a year to implement. The deal, agreed in Brussels yesterday, will see member states cut greenhouse gas emissions 20pc by 2020 (over 1990 levels), lead to 20pc of energy coming from renewable sources including wind, wave and solar power, and boost energy efficiency by 20pc within 12 years.
However, one expert in the area warned last night that every section of the Irish economy would feel pain from the climate-change deal. Read more. |
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New doubts raised over Poolbeg incinerator waste deal |
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 One of the four local authorities which are to supply waste to the planned Poolbeg incinerator may not be able to meet its commitments to the project. A key clause in a deal signed by Dublin City Council in September 2007 on behalf of the four Dublin local authorities requires them to guarantee a specific amount of waste to the plant annually.
If any of the local authorities does not do this, it will have to make loss-of-profit payments to the consortium behind the Poolbeg incinerator, which was granted a licence by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) last week. Read more. |
| Cash strapped owners allowed sell their homes |
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RURAL home owners in Waterford, facing difficulties in making their mortgage payments, will be allowed sell on their properties in spite of a seven-year occupation clause attached to planning permissions.
The measure is being introduced by Council after it emerged a growing number of people may face repossessions as a result of being unable to sell their home. However, the relaxation of the clause will only be allowed in exceptional circumstances such as the loss of long term employment or a necessity to leave the area for work purposes. Read more. |
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Application for modified Shell pipeline withdrawn |
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.jpg) SHELL EP Ireland has withdrawn its planning application for a modified onshore pipeline for the Corrib gas project. n Bord Pleanála confirmed last night that the company had withdrawn its submission yesterday under the Strategic Infrastructure Act.
The company declined to comment on the move last night, but sources close to the project said that a revised application under the fast-tracking legislation would be lodged in the new year. An Bord Pleanála had been seeking crucial additional information from the Corrib gas developers on the new pipeline route, which was modified as a result of a recommendation by Government mediator Peter Cassells. Read more. |
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Meath planning row deepens |
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 This week, Meath county councillors will call for the resignation of Minister of State Dick Roche, who was highly critical of a recent local area plan produced by the council. Elected members of the Fianna Fail-led council plan to write to Taoiseach Brian Cowen calling for Roche's resignation. A council spokesman alleged that Roche's intervention in the matter had been an attempt to ''influence the planning process'' when a family member had stood to benefit. Read more. |
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S Africa bans all EU meat and dairy |
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 THE FALL-OUT from the pork dioxin scare continues on the international markets with South Africa's imposition of a ban on all EU meat and dairy products. The European Commission confirmed yesterday that the South African authorities had imposed the ban because of what it said were concerns regarding "soft borders" within the EU and the wide distribution of animal feed between member states.
"A decision has been taken to suspend all imports of meat and dairy products and other edible animal products (including pet food) from the EU to South Africa," said an official statement. Read more. |
| Clare council rezones 70 contentious acres |
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MEMBERS OF Clare County Council have rejected Department of the Environment warnings not to press ahead with a contentious "ad-hoc" rezoning of 70 acres for industry. The move by the council is one a series of snubs that councillors have delivered to Minister for the Environment John Gormley in drawing up the new greater Ennis development plan. The councillors ignored departmental pleas to dezone land after it found that there was over-zoning in the greater Ennis area and they loosened the rules on one-off housing. Read more. |
| Major fishing port will be 'wiped out' by new EU rule |
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 FEARS that a Donegal fishing community could become a "ghost port" have been raised days ahead of a crucial meeting of EU fisheries ministers.
Almost all of the 1,000 people living in Greencastle, on the eastern shores of the Inishowen peninsula, depend on the fishing industry for their livelihoods.
But fishermen based at Ireland's second largest white fish port warn that proposals to close down a fishing ground off the north west coast could sound the death knell for the village. Read more.
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Planning watchdog pulls plug on Tramore local development |
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 OUTRAGE has been expressed over what has been labelled a disgraceful increase in the number of County Council planning decisions overturned by An Bord Pleanala. The Council's Director of Services, Brian White confirmed that in 2007 the number of decisions over-turned was in line with national figures at around 30%. However, he noted that in the past six months in particular that percentage had substantially increased in what he said was a very worrying trend. Read more.
Includes: Tramore planning decision criticised |
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Salmon farm industry hit by cash crisis |
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 Stocks decimated by killer disease again
THE salmon farming industry is again in deep trouble with some companies along the Connemara coastline starved for cash. The latest crisis to hit salmon farming - once trumpeted as a possible saviour for coastal communities - arises from further deadly attacks of pancreas disease. Pancreas disease can kill thousands of thriving salmon in a short time. It does not harm humans but it has been the bane of the salmon farming business for years. Read more. |
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Green plan could see wind turbines replace Ballymun tower blocks |
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Ballymun's anti-social tower blocks could be replaced by wind turbines, according to environmentalist Duncan Stewart. The TV presenter says that there is "huge potential for wind energy" around the north Dublin town. In a new book charting Ballymun's passage from an area of notorious deprivation to one with a bright future, Mr Stewart outlines his ideas for the new landmarks. Memories, Milestones and New Horizons compiles 15 essays by well-known authors and commentators who give a no-holdsbarred insight into the reputation and reality of Ballymun. Read more. |
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Farmers receive support from EU on water charges |
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SLIGO farmers have got backing from a European Parliament committee in their campaign against what they claim is the "unfair" system of water charges in the county. The European Parliament Petitions Committee received a deputation from Sligo IFA (Irish Farm-ers Association) last week to put their case that they are being discriminated against by Sligo County Council "with excessively high and unfair water charges". In a petition on behalf of the Sligo IFA, James McCarrick pointed out that farmers are charged 3.5 times more than the real costs for water and that, together with the rest of the non-domestic sector, are paying for 45% of water leaked annually by Sligo County Council. Read more. |
| Bid to fast-track pyrite case fails |
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 A construction company is claiming it faces being sued by up to 150 home owners as a result of building houses in Clongriffin, Dublin, with infill allegedly containing unacceptable levels of pyrite.
Killoe Developments Ltd, with registered offices in Lucan, Co Dublin, yesterday applied to Mr Justice Peter Kelly to have its proceedings against three companies in the Lagan group fast-tracked in the Commercial Court. Read more. |
| Geevagh bog slide gets €60,000 |
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 A GRANT of €60,000 has been allocated to help repair the damage done to the local football pitch in Geevagh in a landslide back in August. The pitch and nearby community centre was badly damaged when they were swamped by water, mud and rocks following very heavy rain.
Since then the local community have been seeking sources of funding to repair the facility, which had been just due to be officially opened when it was damaged. Read more. |
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COILLTE'S Christmas tree |
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 COILLTE'S Christmas tree depot in Donadea Forest Park opened last Thursday, December 4. The organisation is actively encouraging people to buy a real Christmas tree this year.
As well as outlining the benefits, the depot will give away a free native Irish sapling with every Christmas tree purchased while stocks last. According to Coilte, a Christmas tree is a renewable, biodegradable recyclable resource. Read more. |
| Multiple occupancy limited to 10% |
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 Houses of multiple occupancy (HMOs) are now limited to 10% of overall accommodation in most parts of Belfast. The policy, which has automatic effect, was contained in a plan launched by Environment Minister Sammy Wilson on Monday. It permits HMO concentration to rise to 30% in areas where there are already high levels of such accommodation. HMOs, common around Queen's University, are defined as dwellings occupied by three or more unrelated people. Mr Wilson said HMO development would continue to be encouraged in places where it can make "a contribution to regeneration". Read more. |
| Maze plan 'doomed' as Windsor Park gets an upgrade |
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 The prospects of a multi-sports stadium being built at the Maze appeared doomed today after a new deal between Sinn Fein and the DUP ruled it out for another four years, The Belfast Telegraph can reveal. However, the two parties have agreed that a Conflict Resolution Centre will be built on the former prison site near Lisburn. According to senior Stormont sources, the deal surrounding the Maze blueprint will rule out a stadium for at least another four years, casting serious doubt over whether it will ever be built. Read more. |
| Landfill gas to power Belfast |
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 Landfill gas from the former Belfast city dump will be used to power the city by next summer. The Giant's Park on the North Foreshore site will be home to a landfill gas-powered electricity generating facility that will generate income for the city council. Methane-rich landfill gas from the former Dargan Road site will be extracted using a system of underground pipes and will feed a new generating plant to produce green electricity, the council said. Read more. |
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Road pricing in tatters as Manchester rejects congestion charge |
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 Pay as you drive charges have suffered a devastating blow after voters in Greater Manchester overwhelmingly rejected plans for local road pricing The results of the referendum, with four out of five opposing the scheme, have left the Government's plans for tackling road gridlock in tatters.
Having shelved plans for a national scheme, ministers were desperate to persuade a major conurbation to act as a guinea pig for a road pricing scheme. The Manchester vote has left the Government scrambling for new candidates willing to push ahead with a road pricing scheme. Read more. |
| Eco starlet |
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 Tamsin Omond is the pin-up of a radical new environmental movement. She's bright, beautiful and will do anything to save the planet, one of a new breed of eco-activists. Spurred on by the lack of government action in the face of immeasurable climate change, these kids are taking radical action. Among them are the usual suspects - pressure groups and stalwart eco-warriors - but also a more glamorous crew, with Omond at the helm. Young, aristocratic (she's the granddaughter of a baronet), clever (Cambridge-educated) and very pretty, her stunt on the Houses of Parliament prompted front-page headlines about the "rooftop rebel". Read more. |
| Bird lovers split over plan to bring back glorious killer of the skies |
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 The sea eagle is a glorious sight as it soars and swoops, but plans to reintroduce one of the world's largest birds of prey to Norfolk are dividing bird lovers and running into opposition from landowners, who fear that wildlife could be devastated by its return. Natural England, the government's wildlife adviser, backed by the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds and Anglian Water, wants to introduce 150 of the eagles over the next 10 years. Also known as white-tailed eagles, sea eagles are nicknamed 'flying barn doors' because of their 8ft wingspan, which is larger than that of golden eagles. They are thought to have last bred in England at the start of the 18th century. Read more. |
| EU "highly unlikely" to meet biodiversity goal |
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 The EU is "highly unlikely" to meet its objective of halting biodiversity decline by 2010, according to a pessimistic mid-term review of progress made towards achieving this goal published by the European commission on Tuesday.
This is the first assessment of measures taken so far under an EU action plan adopted in 2006. It shows that "enormous" efforts will be required in the next two years if Europe is "even to come close to achieving the biodiversity goal". Read more. |
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Obama picks Nobel man for Energy |
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 Barack Obama has named physics Nobel Prize winner Steven Chu as his energy secretary and tasked him with finding alternatives to fossil fuels. The US president-elect said the new administration's priorities were to end US dependence on foreign oil and fight climate change.
Naming his environment team, he said US energy dependence had grown even as global resources were disappearing. Mr Obama has pledged to make big changes in environmental policies. Read more. |
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No progress in Poznan on new emmissions cuts |
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 UN climate talks in Poznań, Poland, last week failed to make progress on the development of new greenhouse gas emission reduction targets for developed countries. The two-week meeting closed on Saturday after a high-level ministerial segment. Observers had low expectations of a resolution as the conference entered its final stages on Friday night, and these proved well-founded there were no last-minute surprises.
Poznań marked the halfway point in talks to agree a new global climate accord. Negotiations were launched in Bali last year and are set to be concluded in Copenhagen next December. Read more. |
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Toast: the best thing since sliced bread |
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 Even the grandest chefs can't resist toast. But how do you get it 'just so'? And what should go on top? Christopher Hirst reveals the golden rules.
As the chill, both economic and meteorological, intensifies, there is one crunch that never fails to please. Toast is the comfort food that surpasses all others. Better still, you can have it at any time. "It is impossible not to love someone who makes toast for you," wrote Nigel Slater in his bittersweet memoir of the Sixties called, of course, Toast. "Once the warm, salty butter has hit your tongue, you are smitten. Putty in their hands." Read more. | |
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