host posted on March 07, 2011 10:58
“Fundraising event in UCC for An Taisce's Corrib Onshore Gas Pipeline Judicial Review – special showing of multi-award winning “The Pipe”, with presentation by Director Risteard O'Domhnaill”
An Taisce is happy to acknowledge and thank UCC's Environmental Society who will host a special fundraising showing of the multi-award winning documentary film “The Pipe” in conjunction with presentations and Q&A from Director Risteard O'Domhnaill and Chair of An Taisce, Charles Stanley-Smith.
Further to An Taisce’s decision to pursue a Judicial Review of the decision by An Bord Pleanála to grant permission to the latest Corrib gas pipeline application, the special fundraising event will take place in Boole 1 in UCC on Wednesday 9th March at 7.45 pm sharp, admission free, donations welcome. All are invited to attend. This is a one of a number of events with further initiatives planned nationally.
The Chair of An Taisce, Charles Stanley-Smith in commenting on the decision stated:
“ An Taisce was very disappointed with An Bord Pleanála’s decision. An Taisce considers that the implications of this decision go far beyond the Corrib gas pipeline and have major repercussions for the status of implementation of European Directives in Ireland. An Taisce has concerns both in relation to Irish and European Law”
As an independent charitable organisation, Stanley-Smith clarified that An Taisce, the National Trust for Ireland, will need to fundraise to assist with the considerable costs associated with preparing for and mounting a Judicial Review.
He indicated he hoped people and organisations from around the country and beyond would rally quickly to support An Taisce in its ongoing commitment to ensure the rule of environmental law is upheld robustly in Ireland. Stanley-Smith pointed to the announcement of the European Commission in February that it is actively pursuing fines for Ireland for non-compliance with judgements of the European Court, and a further major judgement against Ireland in the European Court of Justice last week in relation to the EIA directive. Ireland has the highest per capita level of actions and judgements by the European Court of Justice against any nation state in relation to breaches of Environmental Directives.
“I am all too aware of the economic pressure people are under in Ireland today, and of the implication of asking them for funds to support this campaign. However the environment is without question our most important natural resource and fundamental to indigenous industries in Agri-Food, Tourism and the equine sector, which between them employ in and around 450,000 people. An Taisce is committed to protecting that environment for current and future generations both as a moral imperative but also from the point of view of our sustainable economic development"
An Taisce has been successful in pursuing a number of Judicial Reviews of decisions made by An Bord Pleanála, and is focusing now on the very short and demanding timeframe to pursue yet a further case - this time on the latest Corrib Gas Pipeline decision of Jan 19th 2011.
This special fundraising showing of The Pipe with Director Risteard O'Domhnaill & Chair of An Taisce Charles Stanley-Smith will take place in Boole 1 in UCC on Wednesday 9th March at 7.45pm sharp, admission free, donations welcomed.
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For further comment contact:
Charles Stanley-Smith Chairperson of An Taisce: 087 2411995
Abby McSherry Public Affairs Officer An Taisce: 087 9598767