Archive for March, 2008

FINNEBROGUE WATER POLLUTION

Published
by
Cadogan Enright
on March 18, 2008
in 1. GREEN PRESS RELEASES / LATEST NEWS, Cadogan Enright, Downpatrick, Pollution and Wildlife/Trees/Nature
. 0 Comments

Pictured is Cllr Cadogan Enright with Finnebrogue Resident John Peacocke examining the brown sludge in a stream at the Finnebrogue Demense.

An outbreak of pollution in a tributary of the Quoile River is currently under investigation by the Environmental Heritage Service after concerns were raised by local Green Party Councillor Cadogan Enright and residents of the Finnebrogue Estate.

Cllr Enright recently visited the site along with local residents who live along side the stream.

Cllr Enright said “The tributary is four foot deep in some places and it seems to be full or organic sentiment. This tributary feeds into the Quoile and, if the pollution follows, I would be very concerned.”

A nearby resident also has serious concerns about the situation and said, “This is a major environmental issue and it seems to be an ongoing problem as it has happened before. All of us in the area are deeply concerned about this development and its long term effects on the abundant wildlife and otters in the water which have not been seen since this mess occurred.”

Press Cuttings: Water problems probe

GREENS CALL FOR PLASTIC BAG TAX & CLEAN UP HEDGES IN BALLYNOE

Published
by
Cadogan Enright
on March 18, 2008
in 1. GREEN PRESS RELEASES / LATEST NEWS, Bright & Ballynoe, Cadogan Enright, Downpatrick, Employment/Economics and Pollution
. 0 Comments

Picture at Marshallstown, Ballynoe Road, South of Downpatrick.
Councillor Enright with plastic bags lining the hedges

DOWN Green Councillor Cadogan Enright accused the chancellor of the exchequer of caving into vested interests by not proceeding with the proposed plastic bag tax in last weeks budget.

Councillor Enright said, “The huge numbers of plastic bags going into landfill and blowing about the countryside are a scandal, with the trees and hedges of some of our best beauty spots stuffed with unsightly plastic bags. We have seen the success of this policy in the Republic in recent years where a tiny tax of 15cents was sufficient to make people stop and think if they should be using recyclable bags instead”

Councillor Cadogan Enright continued “It is on the public record with the Electoral Commission that the English Labour Party is partly funded by people associated with big supermarkets, with Lord Sainsbury an active senior party member under Tony Blair having given £11 million to the party by 2003 and £16 million by 2007. Clearly this gives this industry undue influence”

Councillor Enright concluded, “Local shops will benefit from this change when it eventually happens, and many shopkeepers have told me that the custom and practice of handing out plastic bags with every purchase spread from the supermarkets, and I can recall when people used their own shopping bags – as in France – before this custom became embedded. Clearly the Republic has shown that people will go back to old pre-disposable ways if given a chance – so must we”.

Councillor Enright called on people to refuse a bug where they can, or take their own recyclable bags shopping.

Green Party members in the Ballynoe area cleared the polluted hedges there of plastic bags. Local Green Party member Mark McCormaik described them as “an eyesore to such a beautiful part of the countryside”.

Press Cuttings: bag tax campaign grows, Chancellor's budget not green enough, supermarket giants asked for bag charge

GREENS HIGHLIGHT DANGEROUS POTHOLES IN BALLYNAHINCH

Published
by
Cadogan Enright
on March 14, 2008
in 1. GREEN PRESS RELEASES / LATEST NEWS, Ballynahinch/Spa, Cadogan Enright, Climate Change/Flooding, Council, Pat Ward and Traffic/Rat Runs/Roads
. 0 Comments

potholes, originally uploaded by downgreenparty.

The Green Party in Down District has brought to the attention of the Council the poor state of road surfacing in the Windmill Street Car Park area of Ballynahinch that has already been the cause of injury to several people.

The lane at Harmony Way in the centre of the town has been reduced to a serious of water filled pot-holes, some six feet in diameter and several inches deep. On one recent occasion a delivery lorry got stuck in a pot hole and broke both of its front mud guards.

Cllr Cadogan Enright of the Green Party has visited the site and witnessed the severity of the problem. “It is shocking that these conditions should exist on such a busy thoroughfare, used everyday by shoppers and schoolchildren and surrounded by businesses which are being denied proper access”, he said.”

“Local business people tell me that a number of individuals have been hurt after falling in the holes and this is of particular concern for elderly people. There is one case in which a drunken man fell over on the rough ground into a pothole and the staff of a local business had to call an ambulance as he was hurt and nearly drown, so deep was the hole!!”

The poor state of the lane is part of a greater problem in the area, including the inadequate drainage system. Claire Porter, of The Edge Youth Centre, which is on Harmony Way, says the building has almost been flooded on several occasions recently. ‘On one incident we have had to replace the downstairs carpet and hire people to drain the water away from the Youth Centre. The drain outside the edge cannot cope with the amount of rain water it collects and several times a year we have had to pay to get this emptied, and it has cost a total of over £1000 of our own money.’

It is understood that the laneway is the property of the Kerr estate and so does not come under Roads Service jurisdiction. However, the Green Party understand that Down District Council has been attempting to acquire the laneway, which would then allow them to carry out the necessary maintenance work.

Cllr Enright confimred with council Chief Executive John McGrillan that this is still in process and urged the two parties involved in the hand-over to ensure that it took place swiftly so that these problems could be tackled. ‘It is essential that the Council take responsibility for this area as it is a busy lane and we can not have local people put at risk and local businesses having to pay for the services which should be available through the public services.’

Press Cuttings: potholes, potholes 2

GREEN PARTY HELPS LAUNCH SUSTAINABLE ENERGY ASSOCIATION

Published
by
Cadogan Enright
on March 14, 2008
in 1. GREEN PRESS RELEASES / LATEST NEWS, 5. EVENTS, Cadogan Enright, Downpatrick, Employment/Economics and Renewable Energy
. 0 Comments

SEA Launch, originally uploaded by downgreenparty.

Down Green Party members have been involved in setting up a new trade association representing the renewable energy industry in Ireland, which aims to promote the use of renewable technologies to improve the environment and the economy.

Over one hundred people, representing companies that employ about 1,430 people in the renewable energy sector across Ireland, attended the launch of the Sustainable Energy Association, at Parliament Buildings in Stormont on Thursday 28th February.

The aim of the Sustainable Energy Association is to represent the renewable energy sector, enter meaningful dialogue with government and other agencies and ensure high standards. The SEA has been established to give a voice to the industry in responding to the ending of Reconnect grants and the lack of green building standards in Northern Ireland.

The Association argues that such decisions run contrary to commitments to cut CO2 emissions and will slow growth in the very sector skilled to reduce the region’s carbon.

Down District Cllr Cadogan Enright -who is also energy spokesperson for the Green Party in NI and joint author of Green Party energy policy with Minister Eamonn Ryan in the Republic – has helped the Association to get established and is keen to see the use of renewable energy increased. He said, “Back in January, we in the Green Party held a meeting in Downpatrick and invited all the renewable energy installers in County Down. The response to this was enormous and so from this came the establishment of the S.E.A.”

The launch at Stormont was hosted by Green Party MLA Brian Wilson, who had also attended the Downpatrick meeting in January. Brian Wilson, told the newly formed Association to keep the pressure on Minister’s for a change of heart: “I find it ironic that devolved government is responsible for threatening this new N.Irish industry by cutting grants. If such a decision was made by a UK Minister there would be out cry.”

Another local Green Party member who has been involved in the new Association is Newcastle Co-ordinator John Hardy. He believes that this new group is necessary to emphasise the growth of the industry and the potential for the local party.

He said, “I am very proud to be involved in this new group as I feel that if we are to meet the crisis of climate change we must embrace the opportunities for economic growth which this provides. There are many people in the Down area alone who can and will benefit from an energy policy based on renewables, we have 66 businesses in this sector in County Down alone.”

A number of local businesses involved in this sector were also present and have played a leading role in the campaign for cleaner, cheaper energy. This includes Patrick Flynn of GreenEnergy4u in Castlewellan, Anita Gribben of Greengage in Cabra and Connaire McGreevy from Kilkeel.

Press Cuttings: Energy group launched, Campaign grows to save renewable, New Association for renewable industry

GREEN PARTY DISAPPOINTED WITH DARLING

Published
by
Cadogan Enright
on March 14, 2008
in 1. GREEN PRESS RELEASES / LATEST NEWS, Cadogan Enright, Downpatrick, Employment/Economics and Renewable Energy
. 0 Comments

CALL FOR ‘FEED-IN TARIFF’, originally uploaded by downgreenparty.

DOWN Green Party Cllr Cadogan Enright has said he is very disappointed with the failure of the Chancellor of the Exchequer, Alistair Darling, to introduce a ‘feed-in tariff’, which would pay homeowners higher prices for generating renewable energy.

Cllr Enright said “It had been expected that in the budget announcement last Wednesday (12th), Mr Darling would announce a ‘feed-in tariff’ which would have boosted the renewable energy industry in Down district, created jobs, helped homeowners to earn money from their homes and reduced our carbon footprint. Sadly, the UK budget was lacking in sustainability and foresight”.

“A feed-in tariff works by guaranteeing a long term premium payment for electricity generated from renewable sources and fed into the grid. The Government would fix the level of the tariff to be paid for each renewable technology and set the length of contract. Effectively, those who have wind turbines or solar panels would be paid higher prices for the energy they generate, stimulating an increase in instalments and lowering the price of the technology”, he said.

Cllr Enright, who is also a chartered accountant, explained that most other European countries have introduced this policy and it has been a huge success, so it could provide a great opportunity for local people. “In Germany, the introduction of a feed-in tariff has resulted in 12,5% of its electricity being generated from renewables and 214,000 jobs being created.”

“Given that we in Down district have the largest carbon footprint in the UK, but we also have an abundant source of renewable energy such as wind and wave power, we should be demanding the introduction of these tariffs to boost our economy and help the environment”, he added.

“We have nearly 600 people employed in the renewable energy sector in Down already, and this could be massively increased by the demand for micro-generation which would follow from the introduction of such an incentive to homeowners. The rise in demand for energy has to be met and there is no reason why it cannot be met by people generating their own energy for profit”, he concluded.

Press Cuttings: Chancellor's budget not green enough

DRUMANESS SEWERAGE PROBLEMS CONTINUE

Published
by
Cadogan Enright
on March 14, 2008
in 1. GREEN PRESS RELEASES / LATEST NEWS, Cadogan Enright, Drumaness, Pat Ward and Pollution
. 0 Comments

Pat in Drumaness2, originally uploaded by downgreenparty.

The DOWN Green Party have expressed their concern and frustration at the continuing problems with sewerage spills in the village of Drumaness which have been causing serious problems for local residents.

Local coordinator Pat Ward has said that two manholes on the Park Road, adjacent to the Crawfordstown Road, have erupted three times in the last five weeks resulting in a pool of raw sewerage gathering along the roadside.

“The contractors have come out to clear the mess on several occasions, and although it resolves the problem at the time, the sewerage soon returns”, he said.

“I have been told that the problem is that one of the man-holes – which were put in place to service the increased development on Park Road- is six foot deep whilst the other is only 2 and a half foot deep. If there is a surge of storm water, then this will cause rubble to get blocked in the pipe joining the two, which is six inches in diameter” explained Pat.

He continued “Until we get the pipeline lifted and replaced we will have this occurrence on and off. The road would not even have to be dug up for this to happen as the manholes are within ten foot of grassland beside the road, so the traffic should not be affected”.

Green Party Cllr Cadogan Enright has agreed with Pat Ward, stating that this current problem is symptomatic of the larger sewerage problem in Drumaness and elsewhere. “We in the Green Party have visited the residents of Drumaness on a number of occasions in relation to sewerage problems all over the village. The rate of development in Drumaness has not been coupled with an improvement in the infrastructure and so we continue to have these problems. This has happened in towns and villages across Down District.”

“I have contacted environmental health services and the Council and am determined to have this specific problem, and the wider problem of sewerage in Drumaness, resolved”, Cllr Enright concluded.

Press Cuttings: Spills but no thrills in Drumaness, Pat Ward Overflowing Manhole Drumaness

NO TO NUCLEAR AT ST. JOHNS POINT

Published
by
Cadogan Enright
on March 13, 2008
in 1. GREEN PRESS RELEASES / LATEST NEWS, Bright & Ballynoe, Cadogan Enright, Killough, Mark McCormick and Nuclear
. 0 Comments

Green Party activist Mark McCormick and Cllr Cadogan Enright at St. Johns Point Lighthouse where a Nuclear Power plant is being proposed.

Green Party Activist Mark McCormick who lives within the Bright Parish in Down District Council has condemned the recent proposals to build five nuclear power plants in N.Ireland, one of which would be at St. Johns point in the Bright Parish.

Mark McCormick along with Green Party Cllr Cadogan Enright have spoken out against such plans to the local Down District Council.

Mark said, “Myself and residents at Saint John’s point have expressed concern at such proposals to build a nuclear plant at St. Johns Point. Some local councillors have spoken out in support of such plans but I think their position here is more about trying to get their faces in the local papers rather than offering real solutions to the pressing problems of climate change”

“I have spoken to many local people and not one of them has said they would like a nuclear power plant on their doorstep. For years we have had to face the threat of Sellafield in Cumbria, now the very same threat is on our doorsteps and even the thought of nuclear power has to be challenged.”

The Down District Green Party will continue to oppose the threat of nuclear power at all levels of government.

Meeting to Plan for Fairtrade Campaign

Published
by
John Hardy
on March 10, 2008
in 9. Meetings
. 0 Comments

bottom-mark.gif

The Down District Green Party will soon begin a campaign to make Downpatrick a Fairtrade Town. We will be having the first meeting to discuss how to approach this campaign and the merits of supporting Fairtrade on Sunday 16th March at 10.30am.

If you or anyone you know may be interested in attending this meeting please contact us to find out the location.
Call 028 44839793

Northern Ireland Green Party Conference 2008

Published
by
Cadogan Enright
on March 5, 2008
in 5. EVENTS and 7. GREEN VIDEOS
. 0 Comments

The BBC did a feature on the Green Party Northern Ireland AGM and Conference 2008. Can you spot the Down District Green Party members in the crowd?

GREENS CONCERNED WITH FINNEBROGUE PLANNING

Published
by
Cadogan Enright
on March 5, 2008
in 1. GREEN PRESS RELEASES / LATEST NEWS, 4. GREEN PEOPLE, Cadogan Enright, Downpatrick, Planning issues and illegal development and Pollution
. 0 Comments

finnebrogue, originally uploaded by downgreenparty.

Pictured are Finnebrogue resident, Mr John Peacocke (left), with Patrick Gregg of the Woodland Trust and Cllr Cadogan Enright, near the venison processing plant.

Down Green Party Councillor Cadogan Enright has said that he is in total support of the residents of the Finnebrogue estate who oppose the granting of retrospective planning permission for the controversial venison plant.

Cadogan Enright said, “The people of Finnebrogue have consistently opposed this venison factory as inappropriate and out of sync with the surrounding area and the Planning Appeals Tribunal agreed with them unanimously. I totally support their position and find it amazing that the Environment and Heritage Service has opposed this building for years and then recently had a u-turn decision and now supports it.”

“This area is an AONB, in the Green Belt, a regulated Historic Estate and the development is within the curtilage of several listed buildings. The Down Business Park less than a Mile away would have been the right answer for this project.”

Cadogan said “Myself and Jim Wells MLA attended the EHS offices in Belfast on Friday to explore why they and the planning department have flip-flopped on this issue, and want to know where the pressure for change is coming from. We had no satisfactory answer. The planning service is now expected to fall in line and grant retrospective planning permission, handing a green card to all developers who wish to walk over the rules, however we will be pursuing this further.”

Cllr Enright continued, “Not only is the plant itself a blight on the landscape, but the management of the deer is also causing catastrophic damage to this old estate. Too may deer are being held in a condensed conditions, leading to loss of trees and severe ground water pollution which is feeding into the Quoile. The venison operation needs to be scaled down and properly managed to avoid environmental destruction.”

Cadogan Enright said, “I understand that many people will see this as an economic boost for the area, but the disregard for planning laws and negative impact on the environment cannot be swept aside in favour of jobs which would still exist if the plant were sited in, more suitable premises e.g. the Down Business Park”.

Press Cuttings: Green Party concerns over Finnebrogue