Latest news with #REDC
The Journal
27-05-2025
- Politics
- The Journal
Bill to ban 'cruel and inhumane' fox hunting in Ireland introduced to Dáil
A BILL THAT would ban 'cruel' fox hunting in Ireland has been introduced to the Dáil. But the Animal Health and Welfare (Ban on Fox Hunting) Bill was immediately opposed by two rural TDs, who said foxes pose concerns for farmers. People Before Profit-Solidarity TD Ruth Coppinger, who introduced the bill, said it was 'unprecedented' for a bill to be opposed at first stage. She said she believed it was the first time a bill banning fox hunting was introduced in the Dáil. She said that fox hunting had already been banned in England, Scotland and Wales for over two decades and remained in Ireland as 'a relic' of British rule. She said foxes in Ireland are dug out of the ground, attacked by packs of dogs and sometimes 'torn apart'. Trail hunting, snaring and traps will also be included in the ban under her bill. 'I believe that fox hunting is a cruel and inhumane so-called blood sport,' Coppinger told the Dáil. 'It clearly causes unnecessary suffering, packs of dogs chasing after a fox relentlessly is obviously a very stressful and unnatural situation. 'Foxes are our last wild dog in Ireland and they should be protected.' She cited a 2019 RED C opinion poll, commissioned by the Irish Council Against Blood Sports, that indicated 77% believe fox hunting should be banned, and said that 74% of people polled who lived in rural areas believed it should be banned. Foxes 'serious concern to farmers' The bill was opposed at first stage by Independent Ireland leader Michael Collins and Kerry TD Danny Healy-Rae, which Coppinger said was 'unprecedented'. 'I've never stopped a bill from going to second stage,' she told the Dáil, arguing that it was a 'stifling' of freedom of debate. Advertisement Collins said that foxes were classed as a pest and that foxes can cause 'a serious concern to many farmers', as well as native bird species. 'The next thing we'll be inside here looking to see can we protect the rat and the mouse,' he told TDs. 'No one wants to protect the human beings, that's the problem here from what I can see.' He said there are fines of thousands of euros if there are breaches of existing fox hunting rules. 'Foxes do pose huge threats to farmers, I suppose if you were brought up in rural Ireland you'd understand that.' Healy-Rae said that people 'from all corners of Kerry' had got in touch with him 'to ensure that we stop this, where it's being tried to start'. 'They're all over the place' He claimed that 11 out of 12 hens owned by a constituent were killed by a fox. 'The numbers have increased dramatically. They're all over the place. They're coming into towns and villages. They're in and out of bins and they are everywhere. 'They have taken over, they have completely taken over the place.' Healy-Rae said he was calling a vote on the issue before being told by Ceann Comhairle Verona Murphy that he could not do that. 'If I'm going to call a vote, I let you know,' she said. Chief whip Mary Butler said the government was not opposing the bill at first stage but would consider it at second stage. 'As is normally the case with Private Members' Business, the bill will not be opposed at first stage, that is the process. 'If and when the bill is listed for second stage, like all other Private Members Business, the government will then consider the matter at that point.'
Agriland
22-05-2025
- General
- Agriland
Research: ‘Strong' public support for wetland restoration
New research unveiled today (Thursday, May 22) at the 'Tóchar: A Path from the Past, A Future for Wetlands' conference reveals a strong public interest in wetlands. The RED C research, commissioned by the Tóchar Midlands Wetlands Restoration Project, provides insights into Irish attitudes toward wetlands, restoration benefits, and the perceived impact on rural livelihoods. The findings were presented during a lively day of discussions and community engagement at the conference, where the opening address from John Feehan explored the role of ecological processes for the future of wetlands. The event brought together policymakers, ecologists, landowners, contractors, and local voices to explore the path ahead for wetlands in the midlands. Held in Abbeyleix, Co. Laois, the event opened with a 'Wake Up to the Bog' walk and featured keynote addresses from representatives of the European Commission and the Eastern and Midland Regional Assembly (EMRA), National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS), Tóchar Project representatives and a range of community voices such as Abbeyleix Bog Project, Women in Nature Restoration and the Tóchar Fens Restoration project. Welcoming the research, Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage James Browne said: 'Through the Tóchar Project, the National Parks and Wildlife Service is restoring vital wetlands not only to protect biodiversity, but also to ensure that communities who have long been dependent on peatlands are part of a fair and inclusive transition. 'I am delighted that the NPWS is supporting initiatives like Tóchar that combine social equity with environmental stewardship. 'The research being launched today highlights the deep connection Irish people feel to our wetlands and underscores the public's growing support for nature-based solutions to climate and biodiversity challenges. 'We need to ensure that meeting these challenges delivers climate action benefits while preserving livelihoods and our heritage,' the minister added. Speaking about the research, Minister of State for nature, heritage and biodiversity, Christopher O'Sullivan added: 'The restoration of Ireland's wetlands is a vital step in protecting our natural heritage and tackling climate change. Stephanie Ganter-Houzel, programme manager, Directorate General for Regional and Urban Policy, European Commission; Shirley Clerkin, project manager, Tòchar Midlands Wetlands Restoration Scheme; Clare Bannon, acting director, Eastern and Midland Regional Assembly. Image source: Karl Hussey Photography 'These ecosystems are at the heart of our biodiversity and play a crucial role in flood management, carbon storage, and sustaining rural communities. 'Through the Tóchar Project, we are not just restoring landscapes, we are strengthening the connection between people and nature. 'This initiative ensures that wetland restoration is carried out in a way that benefits both the environment and the communities who have relied on these lands for generations.' The junior minister said the government is committed to working with all stakeholders to create a sustainable future where conservation and rural livelihoods can thrive side by side. Research on attitudes to wetlands The research was commissioned to better understand how people across Ireland perceive wetlands and their restoration and this was a key topic of discussion throughout the event. The findings reinforced many of the themes raised during panel discussions and storytelling sessions, such as 'Stories from the Community' and 'The Irish Perspective: Reflections on the Past and a Look to the Future', where local peat contractors, landowners, and ecologists shared their lived experiences and aspirations for the transition. The project group has said that it is clear that while there is strong support for nature-based solutions like wetland restoration, the concerns of rural communities whose lives and traditions are closely tied to these landscapes need to be acknowledged. Key research findings include: 61% of Irish adults have visited a wetland area, with this number rising to nearly 70% in the EU Just Transition Territory counties; Nature restoration (72%), flood mitigation (57%), and carbon storage (50%) rank as the top perceived benefits of wetland restoration; While many support wetland restoration, 49% of respondents express concern about its impact, particularly on traditional rural livelihoods; One in three Irish adults have heard of wetland restoration projects, but there is a need for better communication and community engagement. Awareness is significantly higher in the EU Just Transition Territory counties. The Tóchar Project, a three-year initiative managed by the NPWS and co-funded by the Government of Ireland and the European Union through the EU Just Transition Fund, is dedicated to restoring vital landscapes across the midlands. Ireland's wetlands play a crucial role in biodiversity conservation, carbon storage, and climate resilience. However, many of these fragile ecosystems have been degraded over time, according to Tóchar. The project is focusing on restoring degraded wetlands in Kildare, Galway, Roscommon, Laois, Longford, Offaly, Tipperary, and Westmeath, working closely with local communities to ensure a just transition. Tóchar project manager, Shirley Clerkin stressed the importance of collaboration: 'The research shows that wetland restoration is about more than just conservation; it's about people and their ongoing relationship with their environment. 'The survey results demonstrate an understanding of wetland ecosystem benefits but also show where we need to work together to enhance and build capacity for wetland restoration in the midlands. 'By working with communities, landowners, and peat contractors we can create a legacy of sustainable living, climate resilience, and biodiversity protection that benefits everyone.' The event closed with a 'Rejuvenation Bog Walk', allowing attendees to experience first-hand the landscapes that are the focus of Ireland's wetland restoration movement.
RTÉ News
30-04-2025
- Health
- RTÉ News
Action needed on silence around child sexual abuse
Societal silence around child sexual abuse needs to be addressed, according to the support charity One in Four. A RED C poll commissioned by the organisation found that 90% of people believe that Irish society has failed to address the issue. The attitudinal research funded by Community Foundation Ireland is the first of its kind in relation to child sexual abuse. The report says child sexual abuse cannot continue to be viewed as something confined to the past or to certain institutions. "It is happening today, in homes, schools, sports clubs, peer to peer and increasingly, through online spaces. Our collective inability to confront this uncomfortable reality has allowed it to persist, causing immeasurable harm," it states. 85% of those surveyed agreed that overuse of social media can damage children and young people's self-esteem. One victim quoted in the report said she would not "give" social media to anyone until they are over 15. "I had social media since I was like 8/9, and that's very very young and it was the same with most of the kids in my primary school, the boys as well and they were learning mad things at such a young age that just weren't true and us girls had to believe that that was true and live up to that, like the girls that they saw on their phones." Protections breaking down The usual protections at home, in school or online are breaking down according to the report, with social media and technology making it easier for abuse to happen anywhere. The report says abuse often happens out of sight and is rarely talked about, resulting in survivors feeling alone, and families and communities sometimes looking away rather than face reality. It also states that the topic is so emotional and overwhelming that people often avoid it or focus on the most shocking explosive cases, rather than working towards real solutions. It calls for a Preventative Public Health Framework - acting at every level across society - long before the harm occurs. Such a framework would begin with primary prevention - providing universal education across society in understanding healthy boundaries and the root causes of child sexual abuse. Secondary prevention suggests focusing on early warning signs and stepping in quickly to support those at risk. For those who have already been affected, survivors should receive timely professional support. Further harm or re-offending should also be prevented. Invisibility of abuse The key barriers currently according to the report relate to "Invisibility, Collapsing Boundaries and Explosiveness". Regarding invisibility, it says abuse often happens out of sight and is rarely talked about. Survivors feel alone, and families and communities sometimes look away rather than face the reality. Collapsing boundaries relates to the usual protections breaking down, be they at home, in school or online. Social media and technology are making it easier for abuse to happen anywhere according to the report. The topic is so emotional and overwhelming that people often avoid it or focus on the most shocking cases (explosiveness), rather than working towards real solutions. This was national polling conducted by Red C with quota controls to ensure representative data across gender, age, region and social class in line with CSO projections. There were 1,000 in the fieldwork in May 2024. There was an 82% response rate (n=834) and people could opt out of certain questions. Public Qualitative Research was also conducted with included 14 focus groups around the country and in-depth interviews with front-line professionals: teachers, public health nurse, therapist, advocacy and gardaí. The report says a National Conversation about Tackling Child Sexual Violence needs to be led by a broad coalition of stakeholders, agencies and NGO's to help build collective wellbeing, healthy development and respectful boundaries for all for all people - young and old. "This includes understanding factors and toxic influences that have hijacked the sexual expectations of young men and young women - including 'Red Pill' discourses, unhealthy pornography, objectification of 'self'/ 'others' and the gamification of sexuality." The report titled 'Irish Attitudes to Tackling Child Sexual Abuse. A Whole of Society Approach' will be launched by the Minister for Children Norma Foley.
Irish Times
24-04-2025
- Health
- Irish Times
Irish people more willing to get vaccines than those in many other countries
Irish people are more willing to get vaccines than people in many other countries, though there is a 'sizeable minority' whoare sceptical or uncertain, a new survey has found. On Thursday RED C polling company will publish research on vaccine acceptance as part of a global examination on the topic to mark the World Health Organisation's (WHO) national immunisation week. According to the survey, Ireland ranked 13th globally for acceptance of traditional vaccines, and 10 out of the 38 participating countries for accepting an approved mRNA vaccination. The report shows 67 per cent of Irish adults are open to taking mRNA jabs, higher than the global and European averages which were both at 60 per cent. For the more traditional vaccines 73 per cent of people in Ireland said they were willing to get it, up from the 68 per cent recorded globally. READ MORE Traditional vaccine acceptance is higher than that for the new mRNA vaccines in Ireland, and everywhere else that was examined. Some one in four adults in Ireland claim they would not be likely to take mRNA vaccines, while one in five said they would not take traditional vaccines. Parents of dependent children and those in lower social grades are among the least accepting of both traditional and mRNA vaccines, which the researchers said suggests a need to raise awareness and tackle roots of distrust. People aged 35 to 54 were the age cohort most likely to reject a vaccine, the survey found. Acceptance of vaccines is significantly higher within the Irish population among men, Dubliners, those with a third-level education, and those in higher socioeconomic grades. The global study, conducted by Worldwide Independent Network of MR (WIN), a global association of independent market research and polling firms, surveyed 33,919 individuals across 38 countries, with RED C conducting the research among a representative survey of 1000 adults in Ireland. John Rogers, associate director at RED C Research, said the findings are 'largely positive' and the high level of immunisation acceptance is 'driven perhaps by our highly educated population and being a global leader in pharmaceuticals'. 'As with other countries, a challenge for medical professionals and health boards is to address the concerns many have with approved vaccines, in addition to tried and tested medical innovations,' he said. 'Given the high levels of conspiracy theories and misinformation relating to vaccines, particularly involving those that cause negative effects in children, it's concerning to see the vaccine acceptance and trust of innovative medicines in lower amongst Irish parents.' Speaking recently in an interview with The Irish Times, interim chief medical officer Mary Horgan said vaccine hesitancy and refusal was 'complex', and there were often various factors resulting in it, including fatigue, misinformation or concerns about side effects.
