At Thursday’s IFA Aquaculture Conference, Minister Timmy Dooley reiterated the government’s commitment to continuing to support the development of the aquaculture sector and streamlining aquaculture licencing. At a time when the government is promoting growth of the Irish aquaculture industry, SWAN believes it is more vital than ever to prioritise the restoration of nature and … Read more
Water pollution is the environmental hazard the Irish public is most worried about [1]. This is not surprising. We already know from the EPA that almost half of our waters are unhealthy and pollution is increasing in many parts of the country. The same week the draft Programme for Government was published a study of … Read more
In July, the Department for Housing, Local Government and Heritage (DHLGH) launched the “Public consultation on Ireland’s Marine Strategy Framework Directive Marine Strategy Part 1: Assessment (Article 8), Determination of Good Environmental Status (Article 9) and Environmental Targets (Article 10),” to which SWAN submitted a response in September. The Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD) is … Read more
The Sustainable Water Network (SWAN), a network of 25 environmental organisations, has called the new Water Action Plan, published by the Government today, a failed opportunity to introduce the strong measures needed to tackle water pollution and other damage to our rivers, lakes, and coastal habitats. Almost half our waters (46%) are currently unhealthy or … Read more
The Sustainable Water Network (SWAN) reacted to today’s EPA Water Indicator Report by calling on the Government to put in place far stronger measures to address Ireland’s water pollution crisis and tackle ongoing pollution from agriculture and forestry run-off, and discharges of raw and inadequately treated human sewage. The report highlights that nearly half of … Read more
Ireland currently has the opportunity to enact a previously overturned fisheries policy which was one of the most important conservation measures for marine ecosystems and local fishing communities in the state’s history, and SWAN calls on the public to voice their support. The Department of Agriculture, Food & the Marine (DAFM) has opened a public … Read more
Fair Seas research finds half of Irish waters are more resilient to effects of global warming A new report has been published by Fair Seas highlighting key Irish marine areas that can promote biodiversity in the face of the impact of worsening climate change. The coalition of leading environmental NGOs and networks has commissioned research … Read more
A group of 13 conservation bodies across all the Irish Sea nations, known collectively as the Irish Sea Network [1] , is urging planners in all six nations bordering the Irish Sea to collaborate and cooperate for the sake of nature. In a report out today [2], the Network calls for planners to work together … Read more
The Sustainable Water Network (SWAN) and the Environmental Pillar at a meeting with Commissioner Virginijus Sinkevičius today urged him to stick with the decision to reduce Ireland’s derogation limit to 220 kg nitrogen per hectare. “We impressed upon Commissioner Sinkevičius that we have reached a critical point in tackling water quality in Ireland,” said An … Read more
The Environmental Pillar and the Sustainable Water Network (SWAN) are urgently seeking a meeting with Commissioner Virginijus Sinkevičius to discuss Ireland’s Nitrates Derogation during his visit to Ireland on Nov 23rd. It is important that the Commissioner comes away from Ireland with a balanced and informed view of civil society’s attitude to the Commission’s position … Read more