Archive for July, 2009
DOWN Green Party Cllr Cadogan Enright has welcomed the news that a second flock of red kites has been released in Co Down in a bid to reintroduce the rare birds, which were extinct for almost 200 years. The release of the young birds by the RSPB brings the total now here to nearly 50.
Green Party Cllr Cadogan Enright said, “I would like to extend my congratulations to the RSPB on their tremendous work and for the success of the Red Kite introduction.”
“I have been enthusiastically following the reintroduction of these beautiful creatures to the countryside. We can only hope to see the new population of Red Kites flourish and not fall victim to the awful cases of poisoning and shooting that occurred last year.”
Cllr Enright is a member of the Down District Policing Partnership and has expressed that he will be using this position to put pressure on the Police Service to properly bring about enforcement and prosecutions against those who commit these environmental and wildlife crimes.
Cllr Enright also commented on the educational aspects for young people with the reintroduction of the Red Kites.
“I would also like to welcome the RSPB’s work to involve local schools and children in the reintroduction of the Red Kites as this can only serve to increase young peoples interest and respect for wildlife and our natural environment and also that of their parents,” concluded Cllr Enright.
Press Cuttings: Red Kites Soar
The Downpatrick & District Soroptimists have produced an excellent leaflet on how you can do your bit to safeguard our environment and reduce your carbon footprint.
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE LEAFLET
Soroptimist International is a volunteer organisation for business and professional women who work to improve the lives of women and girls in local communities and throughout the world.
They work to fight poverty and illiteracy, promote health care, safeguard the enviroment and influence goverments to effect change.
For more information on the local Soroptimists branch please visit their website – www.soroptimists.info
Green Party Cllr Cadogan Enright is the sole representative on Down District Council who did not vote for the installation of WI-FI technology in Newcastle.
Cllr Enright stated “As someone who has worked in the Information Technology industry for over 25 years, even I was unaware of the risks involved in wireless technology, but following information provided to me by local residents I decided not to vote for the introduction of public wi-fi in Newcastle at the meeting of council on the 23rd March 09 and have since researched into the health implications of such technology.”
Cllr Enright continued, “While I recognise that many homes and businesses already have wi-fi installed, they are able to switch it off at any time, but having a system in place 24 hours a day along the length of Newcastle Main Street does not offer people in that area the choice not to receive the radiation.”
Green Party Newcastle Co-ordinator John Hardy has drafted the Green Party’s local policy on wi-fi technology and has made it available for public viewing on the Down District Green Party website policy page –www.downgreens.com.
John Hardy said, “Our Green MEP’s in Europe, now totalling 53 MEP’s, voted for a resolution in the European Parliament On the 2nd April 2009 calling for a review to be undertaken by the Scientific Committee on Emerging and Newly Identified Health Risks. This motion was passed by a majority of 559 to 22 in favour of a review. With this in mind questions need to be asked about the dangers of the new wi-fi instalments in Newcastle.”
Cllr Enright concluded, “It is clear from the European Parliaments resolution passed on 2nd April 2009, and from the example of other towns and cities across Europe, that the power of microwave wireless systems can be massively reduced without affecting performance. Surely this is an option worth pursuing?”
Green Party local draft policy for Down District
French Green Party Policy on Electromagnetic Radiation
Press Cuttings: Green Party concern over Newcastle wi-fi
The Green Party has criticised the Police Service for not taking seriously its role in tackling environmental crime in the district.
The accusation has come in the light of a recent case undertaken by the PSNI in which they refused to prosecute for the bulldozing of large amounts of gorse bush during the nesting season in which it is illegal to remove gorse.
Unlike Britain gorse bush is not protected all year round in Northern Ireland, however during the nesting season between 1st March to 31st August they are protected under the Wildlife Order (NI) 1985 and it is therefore illegal to remove them.
Cllr Enright said, “I have personally made many complaints on issues like poisoning of seals and have been present when local environmentalists have put in complaints about badger baiting and nothing has been done. Environmentalists locally are now seeking meetings with the new Police Commander and the Down District Policing Partnership to question why environmental crimes are not being taken seriously,”
The latest incident of gorse removal took place near Killyleagh and local environmentalists alerted the PSNI of the crime. On visiting the site the PSNI declared there was not sufficient evidence to prosecute and this decision was made even though the gorse was removed on the land and subsequently piled up at another corner of the land.
Cllr Enright said, “In this latest case the gorse removed was left piled up on the land and I cannot see how the PSNI feels there is insufficient evidence to prosecute. It is for this reason that I do not feel they are taking their role in protecting the environment seriously.”
Cllr Enright is an independent member of the Down District Policing Partnership and has arranged for local environmentalists to ask questions, at a meeting of the Policing Partnership in September, as to why environmental crime is not being taken seriously in the Down District area.
Press Cuttings: Green Party wants PSNI to get tougher
Green Party Councillor Cadogan Enright visited the new £64 million hospital in Downpatrick along with other councillors from the district.
