Latest news with #MichaelMcNamara
Agriland
20-05-2025
- General
- Agriland
‘Untreated sewage' in Ireland poses huge public health risk
An appeal has been made to the European Commission to 'act' on the issue of untreated sewage in Ireland by the Independent MEP Michael McNamara. The MEP said a recent report by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has shone a spotlight on the 'lack of adequate, or any, wastewater treatment in several towns and villages throughout Ireland'. According to McNamara the EU's Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive requires member states to ensure adequate collection and treatment of wastewater. But the EPA report highlighted that wastewater treatment at Lahinch, Kilkee, and Killaloe in Co. Clare, Foynes, Glin and Limerick City, Rathcormac and Cloyne in Co. Cork and Aughrim in Co. Wicklow 'failed to meet European Union standards to protect the environment'. Sewage The EPA also found that some villages 'have no sewerage infrastructure at all' which the MEP said leads to the 'discharge of raw sewage into waterways or the sea'. McNamara added: 'The lack of wastewater treatment infrastructure is glossed over when we talk about water quality deterioration. 'The recent good weather has brought welcome crowds to our coastal and waterside villages. 'However, many of these destinations, which are economically reliant on a large influx of summer visitors, are unsewered, which poses a huge environmental and public health risk.' The MEP said that figures show '547 villages and settlements in Ireland' are unsewered and he wants to know who is responsible for monitoring compliance with EU environmental law in relation to this. He has pointed out that 'adequate collection and treatment of wastewater in communities of 2,000 persons or more is required by the law' and he believes that some villages will exceed these numbers during the summer months. 'Many of these communities have themselves recognised the need for sewerage infrastructure but that need has been overlooked by local and national government and state agencies,' McNamara said. According to the MEP Uisce Éireann does not assess locations which do not have existing sewerage network or treatment facilities. He is now calling on the European Commission to 'act' and identify which Irish state agency is 'responsible for assessing the need for wastewater infrastructure' in villages where there is no sewerage network at present.
The Journal
09-05-2025
- Politics
- The Journal
Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael MEPs vote to allow wolf culling and hunting in Europe
FIANNA FÁIL AND Fine Gael MEPs voted yesterday to downgrade the protected status of wolves, allowing wolf culling and hunting under limited criteria. The vote to weaken protections for wolves comes three years after European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen's family pony was killed by a wolf – leading to suggestions her European People's Party's campaign for this change was a personal matter for her. Fine Gael is part of Von der Leyen's political group. Grey wolves were virtually exterminated in Europe 100 years ago, but their numbers have recovered to a current population of 20,000, mostly in the Balkans, Nordic countries, Italy and Spain. Conservationists have warned the legal change could undo decades of progress, and have warned that the wolf population remains fragile in most of Europe. Ireland does not have wild wolves – although the Green Party famously called for their reintroduction in 2019. Independent Ireland MEP Ciaran Mullooly also voted in favour of the European Commission proposal, which was carried by 371 votes to 162 with 37 abstentions. The change has already been approved in principle by member states, who will need to rubber-stamp it again before it can enter force. 'Dangerous precedent' Sinn Féin and Labour MEPs, along with Independent Michael McNamara, voted against the measure. Luke 'Ming' Flanagan was not present. Lynn Boylan of Sinn Féin said the vote set a dangerous precedent that protections under the Habitats Directive, the EU's flagship conservation law, could be eroded. 'In Ireland we have other protected species. This could be the thin edge of the wedge,' Boylan said. She added that she did not believe Brussels' proposal was based on sound science. However, Irish MEPs who backed the European Commission proposal said they believed the measure was based on scientific data, and noted that member states could choose to retain the strictest protection for wolves. Either way, governments will be required to continue to monitor the species' conservation status. Commission president Ursula von der Leyen welcomed the vote's outcome. Alamy Stock Photo Alamy Stock Photo Farmers' reality Fianna Fáil's Billy Kelleher said EU action has brought wolves back from near extinction to the point where there is very high density in some areas, particularly in central Europe. Advertisement 'This is causing major challenges for livestock farmers,' Kelleher said. 'Culling of wild animals is part and parcel of responsible and sustainable wild animal conservation practices.' Barry Cowen of Fianna Fáil said member states needed flexibility to balance conservation with the 'realities' faced by farmers, with Thursday's landslide vote indicating those realities had been heard 'loud and clear'. Fine Gael MEP Regina Doherty said: 'A high wolf population can be a threat to biodiversity conservation, farmers, rural communities and tourism.' Michael McNamara said he had opposed the proposal because it was not underpinned by science. 'Obviously, Ursula von der Leyen's pony met a tragic end with wolves. But I found no scientific basis or information on which to base the decision,' McNamara said. 'I appreciate it might be an issue for farmers, but anyone who thinks that this decision is going to result in a cull of badgers or something, unless Ursula von der Leyen's cat is killed by a badger, I don't see that happening.' Members of the Bern Convention, tasked with the protection of wildlife in Europe as well as some African countries, agreed in December to lower the wolf's status from 'strictly protected' to 'protected'. The EU was the driving force behind the push to lower the Bern Convention protections, arguing that the increase in wolf numbers has led to more frequent contact with humans and livestock. The Bern downgrade came into force in March, and Brussels moved immediately to revise EU law to reflect the change. Conservationists say wolves' status remains fragile Alamy Stock Photo Alamy Stock Photo Welcomed by Von der Leyen Thursday's vote was carried by conservative, centrist and hard-right groups, with green and left-wing parties opposing it. Commission president Von der Leyen welcomed the results of the vote saying: 'With growing wolf concentrations in some areas, we should give authorities more flexibility to find balanced solutions between the aim to protect biodiversity and the livestock of local farmers.' Environmental groups have condemned the parliament's decision, with a coalition of NGOs branding the measure 'a political move disguised as policy'. To date, there have been no human casualties linked to rising wolf populations in Europe, but some MEPs indicated farmers live with this fear hanging over them. With reporting from AFP. Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone... A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation. Learn More Support The Journal
Yahoo
07-03-2025
- Yahoo
Popular market closes due to rise in crime
A popular weekly market in Littlehampton is set to close due to concerns over an increase in anti-social behaviour. Littlehampton Market, which is in the High Street and opens every Fridays, will close on 28 March. The owner wrote on Facebook there had been a theft and assault on a trader on 21 February adding: "I am saddened to announce we have lost another long-term market trader. "Unfortunately the High Street is becoming a haven for drug and alcohol abuse, constant thefts and violence towards our traders and customers." They continued: "I am not sure we can, for much longer, give a safe environment for our market traders to trade." The owner added they are looking for another site and hope the market will re-open soon. Resident Michael McNamara said the closure was "another nail in the coffin for the town". Margaret McNamara added: "I think it's a real shame because it brings people into the town but unfortunately there's a lot of undesirables." Richard from the Butternut Box stall in the town centre said he was "surprised" to learn Littlehampton Market is closing and added he noticed an increase in anti-social behaviour. "There's a lot of that going on, particularly drink and drug use. There's a lot of gatherings on the benches, there's quite a lot of domestic situations happening, you hear people arguing in public," he said. Littlehampton Town Council said the decision is "disappointing". "Like many towns, anti-social behaviour and crime incidents occur in Littlehampton, and these are being addressed by the Local Neighbourhood Policing Team and the district council's Community Safety Team with a robust approach to street drinking, anti-social behaviour and crime," a spokesperson said. District Commander Ch Insp William Keating-Jones said: "We understand the impact anti-social behaviour has in our communities, including in Littlehampton town centre. "Our officers are working hard with partner agencies to address the causes and tackle problems caused by anti-social behaviour and crime. "Our Neighbourhood Policing Team will liaise with market traders to understand and address the concerns they have raised." Insp Keating-Jones added authorities will continue to patrol the town. Follow BBC Sussex on Facebook, on X, and on Instagram. Send your story ideas to southeasttoday@ or WhatsApp us on 08081 002250. Police crackdown on anti-social behaviour on trains Littlehampton Town Council
