Archive for January, 2009
This leaflet was distributed to constituents in the local area affected by this proposed development.
Click on the above image to download the leaflet. Click Here to download the back page.
Press Cuttings: Traffic fears over huge Downpatrick proposal
DOWN Green Party councillor Cadogan Enright was at Harland and Wolff in East Belfast to launch the Green Party’s European election candidate Steven Agnew.
Steven Agnew joined the Green Party in 2003 and stood in the 2007 Assembly elections in East Belfast when Cllr Enright acted as his election agent. Steven currently works as a research officer for Green Party MLA Brian Wilson.
Downpatrick Councillor Enright said, “There are currently 43 green deputies in the European Parliament from 14 different countries. We have played a major role in the creation of legislation that has helped to protect our environment, boosted the farming community, set ambitious targets for renewable energy, increased social protection and biodiversity.
With Steven Agnew now standing it means we have a candidate in every EU constituency in England, Scotland and Wales with only Connacht in Ireland not yet selectinga candidate.”
Speaking at the launch, Mr. Agnew said, “Everyone knows the problems; the ‘triple crunch’ of job losses, fuel poverty and climate change. I offer a solution that will tackle all three, a solution that has the potential to create tens of thousands of jobs here in Northern Ireland. I offer asolution where new green technologies will bring energy security to Northern Ireland and ensure we play our part in the fight against climate change. I offer a Green industrial revolution.”
The campaign was launched in Harland and Wolff’s huge new wind turbine assembly facility, which also assembled the massive tidal turbine currently breaking all energy records in Strangford Lough.
Outlining how a Green Industrial Revolution might happen with the right political leadership Mr. Agnew said: “Energy efficiency measures such asthe insulation of homes can create much-needed jobs in the construction sector, as well as reducing energy bills and emissions. There are also thousands of jobs in sustainable waste solutions based on the principal of reduce, reuse, and recycle rather than incineration. A shift in expenditure to more sustainable forms of transport not only creates a public transport which people actually want to use but also creates jobs.”
Cllr Cadogan Enright pledged the full support of the Green Party in Strangford and Down District to Steve Agnew’s campaign.”
Press Cuttings: Enright behind MEP candidate
The Green Party has announced Steven Agnew as its European election candidate for Northern Ireland at Harland & Wolff, Belfast.
The theme of Mr. Agnew’s campaign is: A New Economy – A Green Economy – A Green Economy Creates Jobs
Steven was born in Dundonald on 12th October 1979.
He was educated Grosvenor Grammar School and was awarded a BA Honours in Philosophy at Queens University Belfast.
Steven worked as a Support Worker with the homeless in West Belfast and then went on to work for the Simon Community in their hostel in Lisburn.
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Political Life
Steven joined the Green Party in 2003 during their campaign against the invasion of Iraq. In 2007 he stood in the Assembly election for East Belfast and reached the seventh count.
Steven currently works as a Research Officer for Green Party MLA Brian Wilson.
Covering a range of issues in his role at Stormont he sits on Assembly groups for Children & Young People, Ethnic Minority Communities and for the Blind & Partially Sighted. He is now working on legislation to prevent the growth of GM crops in Northern Ireland.
Steven has also worked with Brian Wilson MLA on his campaign for an independent Environmental Protection Agency for Northern Ireland and highlighting the poor state of our waterways in the Green Party’s Clean Rivers Campaign.
With a wide range of experience in constituency matters and working with community groups, Steven has played an active role in demanding a full public inquiry into plans to expand the runway at George Best Belfast City Airport.
Steven supports a zero waste strategy for Northern Ireland and therefore opposes incineration plants such as those proposed for North Belfast, Lough Neagh and the North West, as they will require high levels of waste to be viable.
A strong advocate for animal welfare issues, Steven has been involved in campaigns to protect animals from abuse in circuses. He is currently working on extending to Northern Ireland the UK legislation that bans hunting with hounds.
In his free time Steven is an active supporter of the arts, attending many local gigs and has featured in an independent film.
Press Cuttings: Green Cllr talks about why you should Vote Green
Residents along Minerstown Beach have expressed delight at the news that Down District Council is proposing beach bye-laws to protect local wildlife in the area during the breeding season.
Local Minerstown resident Philip Nye said “all the beach-nesting birds were wiped out this year by a small number of people on Quads during the nesting season repeatedly running over the nesting area. We have many miles of coastline, but this small area is really one of our few wildlife gems in Down District.”
Jonathan Bradshaw whose house overlooks the beach said “It is frustrating and upsetting to watch a small number of people on jet-skis disturb new-born seal pups and not being able to do anything about it.”.
Green Party Councillor congratulated local people on the success of their campaign and complemented Down District council director Martyn Todd and chief executive John McGrillan on the proposal, which will be put out for consultation in the coming weeks.
Cllr Enright said “A scientist has told us that this was the first year in which deaths and rescues of seals exceeded observed births at Minerstown. The seal colony is much beloved by local people who have found the deaths of so many seals deeply upsetting. One rescued seal was later released and died after an impact with a Jet-ski.”
Cadogan Enright said “I have a large number of photographs of seals killed by 4×4’s, jet skis of other human interference on my web-site at www.downgreens.com/?p=599 . Some were so gruesome that I have decided not to publish them – but have them in the office for purposes of legitimate enquiry”.
“Tourism is going to be increasingly important going forward in Down District and we need to protect our best assets for the future. Previous proposals from the Northern Ireland Environmental Agency (EHS) in 2001 to protect birds and seals at Minerstown came to nothing – it is to be hoped that this campaign by local people with the support of council management can bring a modicum of protection to the beach during the breeding season.” concluded councillor Enright.
Press Cuttings: Residents call for protection of wildlife on Minerstown Beach, Beach byelaws aimed at helping Minerstown wildlife
