MACROOM DISTRICT ENVIRONMENT GROUP

Issue 3. May 2002
IS THE DEMOCRATIC PROCESS BEING SUPPORTED?

At the political debate, hosted by Cork Environmental Forum in the Imperial Hotel Cork, all 6 key political parties gave their assurance that incineration was not the way forward for waste disposal. Waste disposal featured as central to the discussions of all the environmental policies of the manifestos, and reassuring promises were made for increased recycling facilities and to seek alternatives to incineration for hazardous waste disposal.

Cllr. Dan Boyle of the Green Party promised a Ministry for Sustainability, Senator Máirín Quill said the Progressive Democrats would expand the Dept of the Environment into 3 Ministries for the natural environment, the built environment and energy policy. Developments in taxation by the Labour Party would enable ordinary people to make environmentally less damaging choices according to Senator Brendan Ryan. While Deirdre Clune promised that within 100 days of being in Government, Fine Gael would establish a National Waste Management Authority. Dan Wallace, T.D. as Minister for the Environment, outlined the progress Fianna Féil has made with the national environmental awareness campaign, highlighting the success of the recent 15 cent plastic bag levy. In echoing the need for more recycling infrastructure, Cllr. Cionnaith Úi Suilleabháin of Sinn Féin along with the Green Party, said that environmental sustainability needed to underpin all the policies and he cited agriculture and industry and good examples where smaller operations could improve peoples lives and support rural communities.

Nuclear operations at Sellafield, drinking water quality, in particular the addition of fluorides to municipal water supplies, the location of telephone masts, the role of the EPA and whether the democratic process is being supported when the people and the politicians are saying they don't want an incinerator in Cork Harbour, were among the topics raised by the audience. The debate proved to be heated with many well informed members of the public expressing clear dissatisfaction and looking for changes in the way the environment will be cared for by the incoming government. Professor Gerard Wrixon, President of UCC chaired a difficult meeting with humour and calm.

In closing the meeting, Mr Terry O'Regan of Cork Environmental Forum, likened our current situation to being aboard the National Bus with our driver expected to resign next Friday, leaving us with a multitude of unresolved environmental problems.
" We will have the opportunity to interview and assess a range of prospective candidates over the next few weeks. As never before we require a driver with a deep sense of environmental responsibility. We must evaluate C.V.'s and check references for past performance thoroughly in making our decision. If we get it wrong, not alone will we regret it, but so also will future generations."

Heritage Week 2002

In September Dúchas The Heritage Service of the Department of Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands will be hosting yet another action packed Heritage Week with the co-operation of many national and community organisations. Dúchas The Heritage Service is the state body responsible for the protection and conservation of Ireland's heritage such as national parks, gardens, castles, historic houses, ancient burial sites and monastic settlements.

Heritage Week forms part of the European Heritage Days initiative officially launched in 1991 by the Council of Europe. Over forty countries participate each year. Its main aims are to promote awareness of our built and natural heritage, thereby encouraging its conservation and preservation, to promote Europe's common cultural heritage and to foster mutual understanding.

Heritage Week 2002 will commence on 1 September and continue through until 8 September. The theme Europe: A Common Heritage has been adopted as a permanent theme by the Council of Europe. More than 400 events and activities will take place throughout the country from guided walks, lectures and music recitals, to historical re-enactments, bird watches and art exhibitions. Many sites will offer special concessions or free admission.

A full programme of events and activities will be printed in July and people who wish to receive a copy can ring a CALLSAVE number if in Ireland, 1850 600 601. Copies of the programme can also be ordered by email from Catherine O'Connor, coconnor@ealga.ie Press release from Dúchas

MDEG's prize-winning St.Patrick's Day Float

RELAUNCH FOR TREE NURSERY MDEG's well respected tree nursery was relaunched this month with a "lifting-day" at it's "Kate's Acre" premises. Last November the decision was made to drop the project due to the lack of volunteers. However, early this year, a group of us got together to try to get the nursery back on it's feet With the blessing of MDEG we are now running the nursery under the name of the "Kate's Acre Project". Our aim is to grow both native trees from local,native seed and to grow ornamentals for fund raising purposes. After paying necessary expenses, any profits will be donated to local environmental groups.
The lifting day on 9th.March was well attended by volunteers despite rain, hail, sunshine, mud and more mud. Everyone stayed cheerful, although some of the youngsters went home looking like mud wrestlers. Any volunteers who would like to help us in our work are asked to contact MDEG on 026-42498
Richard SUCCESS FOR M.D.E.G. IN PARADE
A team from MDEG carried away the prize for best club float despite stiff competition in the 2002 St.Patrick's Day Parade. At short notice, five members of our team worked hard on the float which depicted the benefits resulting from organic gardening & farming, and a sustainable lifestyle. Despite the extremely strong competition this year, our reporter found that the MDEG float was remembered by spectators, so we must call it a success from every point of view. Thanks to Anne, Karin, Kay, Meg and Niall, and to all the children and adults who helped to make it a truly Happy St.Patrick's Day.

MDEG, South Square, Macroom, 026 42498, mdeg@oceanfree.net


Issue 3. May 2002
IS THE DEMOCRATIC PROCESS BEING SUPPORTED? At the political debate, hosted by Cork Environmental Forum in the Imperial Hotel Cork, all 6 key political parties gave their assurance that incineration was not the way forward for waste disposal. Waste disposal featured as central to the discussions of all the environmental policies of the manifestos, and reassuring promises were made for increased recycling facilities and to seek alternatives to incineration for hazardous waste disposal. Cllr. Dan Boyle of the Green Party promised a Ministry for Sustainability, Senator Máirín Quill said the Progressive Democrats would expand the Dept of the Environment into 3 Ministries for the natural environment, the built environment and energy policy. Developments in taxation by the Labour Party would enable ordinary people to make environmentally less damaging choices according to Senator Brendan Ryan. While Deirdre Clune promised that within 100 days of being in Government, Fine Gael would establish a National Waste Management Authority. Dan Wallace, T.D. as Minister for the Environment, outlined the progress Fianna Féil has made with the national environmental awareness campaign, highlighting the success of the recent 15 cent plastic bag levy. In echoing the need for more recycling infrastructure, Cllr. Cionnaith Úi Suilleabháin of Sinn Féin along with the Green Party, said that environmental sustainability needed to underpin all the policies and he cited agriculture and industry and good examples where smaller operations could improve peoples lives and support rural communities. Nuclear operations at Sellafield, drinking water quality, in particular the addition of fluorides to municipal water supplies, the location of telephone masts, the role of the EPA and whether the democratic process is being supported when the people and the politicians are saying they don't want an incinerator in Cork Harbour, were among the topics raised by the audience. The debate proved to be heated with many well informed members of the public expressing clear dissatisfaction and looking for changes in the way the environment will be cared for by the incoming government. Professor Gerard Wrixon, President of UCC chaired a difficult meeting with humour and calm. In closing the meeting, Mr Terry O'Regan of Cork Environmental Forum, likened our current situation to being aboard the National Bus with our driver expected to resign next Friday, leaving us with a multitude of unresolved environmental problems. " We will have the opportunity to interview and assess a range of prospective candidates over the next few weeks. As never before we require a driver with a deep sense of environmental responsibility. We must evaluate C.V.'s and check references for past performance thoroughly in making our decision. If we get it wrong, not alone will we regret it, but so also will future generations."
Heritage Week 2002 In September Dúchas The Heritage Service of the Department of Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands will be hosting yet another action packed Heritage Week with the co-operation of many national and community organisations. Dúchas The Heritage Service is the state body responsible for the protection and conservation of Ireland's heritage such as national parks, gardens, castles, historic houses, ancient burial sites and monastic settlements. Heritage Week forms part of the European Heritage Days initiative officially launched in 1991 by the Council of Europe. Over forty countries participate each year. Its main aims are to promote awareness of our built and natural heritage, thereby encouraging its conservation and preservation, to promote Europe's common cultural heritage and to foster mutual understanding. Heritage Week 2002 will commence on 1 September and continue through until 8 September. The theme Europe: A Common Heritage has been adopted as a permanent theme by the Council of Europe. More than 400 events and activities will take place throughout the country from guided walks, lectures and music recitals, to historical re-enactments, bird watches and art exhibitions. Many sites will offer special concessions or free admission. A full programme of events and activities will be printed in July and people who wish to receive a copy can ring a CALLSAVE number if in Ireland, 1850 600 601. Copies of the programme can also be ordered by email from Catherine O'Connor, coconnor@ealga.ie Press release from Dúchas MDEG's prize-winning St.Patrick's Day Float	RELAUNCH FOR TREE NURSERY MDEG's well respected tree nursery was relaunched this month with a "lifting-day" at it's "Kate's Acre" premises. Last November the decision was made to drop the project due to the lack of volunteers. However, early this year, a group of us got together to try to get the nursery back on it's feet With the blessing of MDEG we are now running the nursery under the name of the "Kate's Acre Project". Our aim is to grow both native trees from local,native seed and to grow ornamentals for fund raising purposes. After paying necessary expenses, any profits will be donated to local environmental groups. The lifting day on 9th.March was well attended by volunteers despite rain, hail, sunshine, mud and more mud. Everyone stayed cheerful, although some of the youngsters went home looking like mud wrestlers. Any volunteers who would like to help us in our work are asked to contact MDEG on 026-42498 Richard SUCCESS FOR M.D.E.G. IN PARADE A team from MDEG carried away the prize for best club float despite stiff competition in the 2002 St.Patrick's Day Parade. At short notice, five members of our team worked hard on the float which depicted the benefits resulting from organic gardening & farming, and a sustainable lifestyle. Despite the extremely strong competition this year, our reporter found that the MDEG float was remembered by spectators, so we must call it a success from every point of view. Thanks to Anne, Karin, Kay, Meg and Niall, and to all the children and adults who helped to make it a truly Happy St.Patrick's Day.

MDEG, South Square, Macroom, 026 42498, mdeg@oceanfree.net