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Environmental Pillar and Sustainable Water Network urgently seeks meeting with Commissioner Sinkevičius on Nitrates Derogation

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

Sustainable Water Network (SWAN) echoes criticism of Uisce Éireann for slow progress on halting sewage pollution.

The Sustainable Water Network (SWAN) has echoed the criticism by the EPA on Uisce Éireann’s slow pace on stopping sewage pollution, and the call on Uisce Éireann to “use its new investment plan to end pollution of our rivers and coastal waters from waste water” [1]. This follows the recent publication of a report from … Read more

Environmental NGOs Rebuke Government For Slow Progress On Key Ocean Protection Legislation

Fair Seas Coalition deliver 11,758 signature petition calling for urgent legislation A coalition of Ireland’s leading environmental NGOs has strongly criticised the government for failing to publish key legislation that would protect Irish seas and help tackle the twin climate and biodiversity crises. Presenting a petition of 11,758 signatures from Ireland to Minister of State … Read more

Three Quarters of People Believe Lack of Political Will is Biggest Threat to Ireland’s Marine Environment

Fair Seas has published the results of its first Ocean Literacy Survey which highlights that 76% of Irish people believe “lack of political will to protect or manage the ocean effectively” is the greatest threat to Ireland’s seas. Ocean literacy is the understanding of our individual and collective impact on the ocean and its impact on our … Read more

“The science and the law must be followed on nitrate pollution from agriculture”

Press Release: The Sustainable Water Network (SWAN), a network of 25 environmental organisations, has welcomed the European Commission’s decision to reduce the limits on organic nitrates use on certain farms in Ireland last week. However, they have warned against the continual lack of government leadership in planning for such changes, and failure to prepare and … Read more

Real Voices – Conversations with Fishers on Marine Protected Areas

Real Voices is a series of videos made by Fair Seas. The short videos are conversations with people that make their living from the sea and how they feel about Marine Protected Areas. From these videos, it is apparent that if they are managed properly, MPAs can benefit society, biodiversity, wildlife, fishers and local communities. … Read more

MPA Finance Report is first of its kind in Europe.

A coalition of leading environmental non-governmental organisations and networks has revealed that Ireland can save its ocean biodiversity by spending approximately €55 million between 2024 and 2030 to reach its targets of protecting 30% of our seas and ocean. Fair Seas has produced the first of its kind Marine Protected Areas (MPA) Finance Report in … Read more

Rally Calls on Political Leaders to Support an Ambitious Nature Restoration Law

People take a stand for nature as politicians waver A coalition of leading environmental organisations are rallying together from across Ireland in a call for political leaders to support an ambitious Nature Restoration Law. At the Rally to Restore Nature, scientists, activists, community leaders and other members of society will demand that restoration of nature be … Read more

Coillte, Bord Na Móna and other public bodies in urgent need of reform

In a letter sent to Irish Ministers and other elected officials this week, the Environmental Pillar, Stop Climate Chaos Coalition and Sustainable Water Network called on the Government to amend mandates and legislation to ensure public bodies are fit to deliver on Ireland’s climate, biodiversity, and water objectives. A lack of government oversight and accountability … Read more

Next Irish Water Investment Plan must halt sewage in waters where it is a significant pollution

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]. The network of 25 environmental organisations, are calling on government to ensure the next Irish Water Investment Plan has actions to … Read more