Antóin McDermott 
The Sustainable Water Network (SWAN) today launched a campaign outside Leinster House calling for the government to strengthen its draft plan for managing Ireland’s inland and coastal waters. The network of 25 environmental NGOS are deeply alarmed at the prospect of another weak water plan being published that will condemn our rivers, lakes and coasts … Read more
A SWAN commissioned research report released today which looks at Ireland’s plan for its marine area, the National Marine Planning Framework (NMPF), has found that its lack of adequate spatial planning means the mistakes of poor planning on land risk being repeated at sea. The report further finds that the plan fails to meet a … Read more
Ukraine war should not be used to undermine transition to sustainable food production Civil society organisations call for urgent reassessment of Ireland’s role in global food security – highlighting risks and concerns with current food policies The Stop Climate Chaos coalition, the Environmental Pillar, and the Sustainable Water Network (SWAN) have just written to the Minister for … Read more
The Sustainable Water Network (SWAN) today criticised the government’s draft plan 1 for managing Ireland’s inland and coastal waters as completely lacking in the strong ambition, measures and targets needed to restore our waters to good health. The River Basin Management Plan1, is the third since 2009, and is the key tool for the government … Read more
Leading national environmental groups have joined forces to launch a new campaign to rapidly expand Marine Protected Areas in Irish Waters and SWAN is delighted to be a partner in the campaign. The Fair Seas campaign is calling for at least 10% of Irish waters to be designated as ‘Fully Protected’ by 2025 and at … Read more
The recently passed Maritime Area Planning (MAP) Act is set to be a lose-lose situation for both the climate and biodiversity crises. Given fundamental issues within the act and Ireland’s marine spatial plan, the National Marine Planning Framework, the resulting decision-making system will be deeply problematic for all stakeholders, including those hoping for massive expansion … Read more
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The Maritime Area Planning (MAP) Bill before the Seanad today is set to be a lose-lose situation for both the climate and biodiversity crises if passed in its current form. The Bill is to undergo the Report and Final Stages today in the Seanad, and while there have been some amendments made to improve it, … Read more
The Sustainable Water Network (SWAN) is calling for immediate action from government to dramatically improve Ireland’s waste water infrastructure, following today’s publication of a report from the EPA on Urban Waste Water Treatment [1] and this week’s CSO Household Environmental Concerns survey [2], which found water pollution was the environment problem of most concern to … Read more
National environmental groups are calling on the Government to ensure that the necessary time is given to the Maritime Area Planning Bill in order to protect and restore our marine environment and ensure that offshore renewables are truly sustainable. [1] Ireland is marching itself towards widespread obstacles for renewable energy, longstanding depleted marine habitats and … Read more