The South Down Green Party have expressed concern at the declining population of the Irish Hare in Co. Down.
Green Party Councillor Cadogan Enright said “According to the Irish Hare Survey 2009 there are only approximately 3400 Irish Hares in Co. Down. Only Co. L’Derry has a lower population than this meaning that Co. Down has one of the lowest numbers in all of Ireland. The survey suggests there has been a significant decline in the number of hares counted this year in N. Ireland, showing a fall of around 60% on the Northern Ireland 2007 count.”
The Green Party has expressed disapointment at the DUP’s Environment Minister Edwin Poots on his decision to renew the Special Protection Order only temporarily for one year.
Downpatrick Cllr Cadogan Enright said, “This is totally inadequate. Temporary Special Protection Orders have been issued annually since 2003 and although temporary protection orders are better than nothing, I can see no reason why the Environment Minister should not implement a permanent protection order. It is however worth pointing out that the Northern Ireland Assembly is about to consider new wildlife legislation which presents a great opportunity to give this vulnerable species permanent protection.”
“It is a very rare and special sight to see an Irish hare in the countryside around Co. Down. It is for this reason that I believe every effort must be made to conserve and protect the Irish hare from the threats it faces as a species.”
“Permanent protection for the Irish Hare is the only way that the government can prove that it is serious in its efforts to protect our natural environment,” concluded Cllr Enright.
Press Cuttings: Irish hare decline in Downpatrick says Green Party
During the month of July a meeting in Drumaness set the foundations for a new club for young people interested in fishing. Any young person interested in joining from the local area would be able to take part in organised fishing days, trips and activities for a fee of only £2 for one year’s membership.
The foundation of this club comes about after local anglers had worked to have the Drumaness River restocked in order to create a vibrant fish population and to increase the biodiversity of the river.
Green Party Cllr Cadogan Enright has welcomed the setting up of this new club hailing it as a great example of how local communities can provide activities and opportunities for young people in their area.
Cllr Enright said, “The Youth Fishing and Conservation Forum can only serve to increase young peoples interest in engaging in social activities that will provide them with new social experiences, outdoor skills and knowledge.”
Press Cuttings: Enright welcomes new fishing club in Drumaness
Downpatrick Green Party Councillor Cadogan Enright has called upon the Ulster Unionist Party in South Down to distance itself from divisive statements on the Irish Language put out by Danny Kennedy MLA.
Cllr Enright said, “All political parties in the South Down area are signed up to the Good Friday Agreement as modified by the St. Andrews Agreement. The Ulster Unionist Party in particular signed up before the St. Andrews Agreement and committed themselves to supporting an Irish Language Act and mutual respect between the British Community and the Irish Community.”
Cllr Enright continued, “It does not sit well with Danny Kennedy to be countering what his political party has signed up to. Change is never comfortable but moderate political parties need to work together to ensure that the Good Friday Agreement is fully implemented.”
The Green Party in South Down supported the British Governments ratification of the European Convention on Minority languages in 2001 and call for all elected representatives to support the United Kingdoms obligations.”
“The Green Party in South Down has active members from both the British Unionist community and the Irish Nationalist community. We base our behaviour, as we feel all other political parties in Northern Ireland need to do, on Equal Respect for both traditions under Northern Irelands new constitution, the Good Friday Agreement.”
“I would call upon the UUP to put Danny Kennedy right on what his party has signed up to with regard to respect for both traditions,” concluded Cllr Enright.
Danny Kennedys divisive comments against bilingualism can be read by clicking here.
The Down Greens at their recent AGM in Castlewellan,
The main item of business on the night was a proposed merger between the Newry & Mourne Green Party and the Down District Green Party. This motion was proposed following the planned merger of the two local government authorities to form one super-council under the Review of Public Administration.
Green Party Cllr Cadogan Enright said, “With the resources of both local Green branches combined we will be able to launch a strong co-ordinated campaign in the upcoming 2011 local and MLA elections.”
The motion was unanimously passed by members.
A number of campaigns that members are currently involved in were discussed, including the Mourne National Park, an Anti-Badger Cull campaign, Roads Safety, Pollution and Biodiversity. On the topic of badger culls, it was agreed that members would support the inclusion of a ban on culls in the Programme for Government review in the Republic of Ireland and would continue to oppose badger culls in Northern Ireland.
Cllr Enright said, “since our last AGM we have seen a vibrant increase in our local membership and also many new members getting actively involved in our campaigns. We are positive, enthusiastic and confident that come the next local election the Green Party will be increasing its representation in our local council.”
Cllr. Enright, who was elected as Chair of the Down Constituency Group, thanked all the members for their hard work over the past year and said he looked forward to another year of campaigning.
Press Cuttings: Green Party in Down to merge with Newry branch, Green Party branches unite in readiness for super Council
