Recent Comments
Neil van Dokkum on Reasons, and the reasons for g… Mart Roberts on Reasons, and the reasons for g… Nigel de Haas on Oh, what a lovely scam! Neil van Dokkum on Oh, what a lovely scam! Richard Mann on Oh, what a lovely scam! andreasmarciniak on Oh, what a lovely scam! andreasmarciniak on A time for Family swan101 on How Authorisation Procedures f… Neil van Dokkum on A time for Family Pat OBrien on A time for Family
Tag Archives: CIArb; Chartered Institute of Arbitrators; EirGrid; independent review; consultation; Aarhus; GridLink; Grid25; NREAP; Pat Swords; Fine Gael; Fianna Fail; Rabbitte; Green Party; Eamonn Ryan; Labour
Erm, EirGrid – didn’t you forget something (or someone)?
What is a Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA)? Think of it as a mega environmental impact statement, or an XXL EIA (see my blog on the EIS and EIA). It is quite literally a national impact study of the environment and, … Continue reading
Posted in Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA); Grid 25; North-South Interconnector
Tagged Aarhus Treaty; Aarhus Convention; UN; EU; windfarms; NREAP; Pat Swords; Rabb, Aarhus Treaty; Aarhus Convention; UN; EU; windfarms; NREAP; Pat Swords; Rabbitte; environment; wind turbines; consultation; EirGrid;, Aarhus Treaty; Aarhus Convention; UN; EU; windfarms; NREAP; Pat Swords; Rabbitte; environment; wind turbines; consultation; EirGrid; GridLink; John Lowry; Fine Gael; Fianna Fail; Labour Party; Green P, Al;ex White TD; Green Paper on Energy Policy in Ireland; New Ross, Alan Kelly; Labour Party; wind turbines; setback distance, CIArb; Chartered Institute of Arbitrators; EirGrid; independent review; consultation; Aarhus; GridLink; Grid25; NREAP; Pat Swords; Fine Gael; Fianna Fail; Rabbitte; Green Party; Eamonn Ryan; Labour, EirGrid
5 Comments
Electricity Prices will get higher and higher
Here is the text of the letter by Wind Aware Ireland in today’s Sunday Business Post: Wind Aware Ireland welcomes the examination by the Oireachtas Committee on Communications and Transport of the rise in electricity prices for Irish consumers and … Continue reading
Posted in Uncategorized
Tagged Catherine McGuinness; John Fitzgerald; Keith Bell; Karen Foley; Colm McCarthy; Pat Rabbitte; EirGrid, CIArb; Chartered Institute of Arbitrators; EirGrid; independent review; consultation; Aarhus; GridLink; Grid25; NREAP; Pat Swords; Fine Gael; Fianna Fail; Rabbitte; Green Party; Eamonn Ryan; Labour, CSA; Chief Scientific Adviser; Professor Patrick Cunningham; Professor Denis O'Sullivan; EirGrid; E.ON International Energy; SSE Renewables; Pat Rabbitte; Paul Dowling; Aidan Corcoran, EirGrid; budget; tax; stealth tax; PSO Levy; electricity price; charges; financial statement; Fine Gael; Fianna Fail; Labour Party; People Before Profit; Direct Democracy; ESB; Rabbitte; Phil Hogan; S, Wind Aware Ireland; electricity; prices; ESB; Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland; poverty; fuel poverty; household bills
3 Comments
Breaking the Law
“All lawful modes of expressing opposition to this principle had been closed by legislation, and we were placed in a position in which we had either to accept a permanent state of inferiority, or to defy the Government. We chose … Continue reading
Posted in Uncategorized
Tagged Aarhus Treaty; Aarhus Convention; UN; EU; windfarms; NREAP; Pat Swords; Rabb, Aarhus Treaty; Aarhus Convention; UN; EU; windfarms; NREAP; Pat Swords; Rabbitte; environment; wind turbines; consultation; EirGrid;, breaking the law; civil disobedience; morality; positivists; natural law; the Hart-Devlin debate; jurisprudence; apartheid; Mandela; Rivonia; moral imperative, Catherine McGuinness; John Fitzgerald; Keith Bell; Karen Foley; Colm McCarthy; Pat Rabbitte; EirGrid, CIArb; Chartered Institute of Arbitrators; EirGrid; independent review; consultation; Aarhus; GridLink; Grid25; NREAP; Pat Swords; Fine Gael; Fianna Fail; Rabbitte; Green Party; Eamonn Ryan; Labour, Coolnabacky; Laois; Kilkenny; An Bord Pleanala; Andrew Boyle; EirGrid; substation; 110kV; 400kV; Rabbitte; EirGrid; pylons; EMF; judicial review; High Court; appeal; justice; Fianna Fail; Fine Gael; L, EcoPower; Ecopower Developments Limited; Waterford City Council; Waterford County Council; wind farm; County Development Plan, HSE; expenditure; James O'Rielly; Minister for Health; budget; Fine Gael; Fianna Fail; Supreme Court; management; Flor McCarthy; legal costs, Irish Water; water charges; free water; water meters; Fine Gael; septic tanks; wells; private water; consumer protection
15 Comments
A Farewell to Pensions
The National Pensions Reserve Fund (NPRF) was established by the National Pensions Reserve Fund Act No 33 0f 2000 by the then Minister of Finance, Charlie McCreevy. Its intended purpose was to prepare for the ever-increasing pensions bill of the … Continue reading
Posted in EirGrid; Insurance; Law; Cancer; EMF
Tagged Aarhus Treaty; Aarhus Convention; UN; EU; windfarms; NREAP; Pat Swords; Rabbitte; environment; wind turbines; consultation; EirGrid; GridLink; John Lowry; Fine Gael; Fianna Fail; Labour Party; Green P, Catherine McGuinness; John Fitzgerald; Keith Bell; Karen Foley; Colm McCarthy; Pat Rabbitte; EirGrid, CIArb; Chartered Institute of Arbitrators; EirGrid; independent review; consultation; Aarhus; GridLink; Grid25; NREAP; Pat Swords; Fine Gael; Fianna Fail; Rabbitte; Green Party; Eamonn Ryan; Labour, Coolnabacky; Laois; Kilkenny; An Bord Pleanala; Andrew Boyle; EirGrid; substation; 110kV; 400kV; Rabbitte; EirGrid; pylons; EMF; judicial review; High Court; appeal; justice; Fianna Fail; Fine Gael; L, Mainstream Renewable Power; National Pensions Reserve Fund; National Competitiveness Council; Ireland Strategic Investment Fund; Charlie McCreevy; Brian Lenihan; Minister of Finance; Labour; Fianna Fa, Pat Swords; High Court; Four Courts; Pat Rabbitte; NREAP; EirGrid; EU; wind energy; wind turbines; pylons; Labour; Fianna Fail; Sinn Fein; Green Party; Eamon Ryan
7 Comments
How many PR consultants does it take to change a light bulb?
I should have a warm and fuzzy feeling inside me after reading the self-congratulatory publication by EirGrid “Reviewing and improving our public consultation process”. It has become obvious that I, and thousands like me, have been completely wrong about EirGrid. … Continue reading
Posted in Uncategorized
Tagged Aarhus Treaty; Aarhus Convention; UN; EU; windfarms; NREAP; Pat Swords; Rabbitte; environment; wind turbines; consultation; EirGrid;, Aarhus Treaty; Aarhus Convention; UN; EU; windfarms; NREAP; Pat Swords; Rabbitte; environment; wind turbines; consultation; EirGrid; GridLink; John Lowry; Fine Gael; Fianna Fail; Labour Party; Green P, CIArb; Chartered Institute of Arbitrators; EirGrid; independent review; consultation; Aarhus; GridLink; Grid25; NREAP; Pat Swords; Fine Gael; Fianna Fail; Rabbitte; Green Party; Eamonn Ryan; Labour, Coolnabacky; Laois; Kilkenny; An Bord Pleanala; Andrew Boyle; EirGrid; substation; 110kV; 400kV; Rabbitte; EirGrid; pylons; EMF; judicial review; High Court; appeal; justice; Fianna Fail; Fine Gael; L, GridLink; Grid 25; DCENR, Pat Swords; High Court; Four Courts; Pat Rabbitte; NREAP; EirGrid; EU; wind energy; wind turbines; pylons; Labour; Fianna Fail; Sinn Fein; Green Party; Eamon Ryan, Rabbitte; Phil Hogan; Office of the Chief Scientific Advisor; error; academic research; methodolgy; ethics; EirGrid; cancer; EMF; EMR; Dennis Henshaw; child leukaemia, SLR Consulting; RPS Consulting
14 Comments
Paying for our water
Directive 2000/60/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 23 October 2000 (the “Water Directive”), had as its aim the development of an integrated EU policy on water. The EU recognised that “waters in the Community are under … Continue reading
Posted in Uncategorized
Tagged CIArb; Chartered Institute of Arbitrators; EirGrid; independent review; consultation; Aarhus; GridLink; Grid25; NREAP; Pat Swords; Fine Gael; Fianna Fail; Rabbitte; Green Party; Eamonn Ryan; Labour, Coolnabacky; Laois; Kilkenny; An Bord Pleanala; Andrew Boyle; EirGrid; substation; 110kV; 400kV; Rabbitte; EirGrid; pylons; EMF; judicial review; High Court; appeal; justice; Fianna Fail; Fine Gael; L, EirGrid; budget; tax; stealth tax; PSO Levy; electricity price; charges; financial statement; Fine Gael; Fianna Fail; Labour Party; People Before Profit; Direct Democracy; ESB; Rabbitte; Phil Hogan; S, Irish Water; water charges; water meters; Fine Gael; consumer protection; Water Services Act; installation; protests; Dail;, John Lyons; Public Order Act; Sierra; Irish Water; Peaceful Protest; Constitution; McCarthy J.; injunction; water charges; water tariff
2 Comments
Public Consultation Workshop on the Green Paper on Energy Policy
May I draw your attention to the public consultation workshop on the Green Paper on Energy Policy to be held by the DCENR in Cork on 12th December, 2014. “Details” at http://www.dcenr.gov.ie/Energy/Energy+Planning+and+Electricity+Corporate+Division/Energy+Policy.htm. Actually, details of the venue have not yet … Continue reading
Posted in Uncategorized
Tagged Aarhus Treaty; Aarhus Convention; UN; EU; windfarms; NREAP; Pat Swords; Rabbitte; environment; wind turbines; consultation; EirGrid;, CIArb; Chartered Institute of Arbitrators; EirGrid; independent review; consultation; Aarhus; GridLink; Grid25; NREAP; Pat Swords; Fine Gael; Fianna Fail; Rabbitte; Green Party; Eamonn Ryan; Labour, Coolnabacky; Laois; Kilkenny; An Bord Pleanala; Andrew Boyle; EirGrid; substation; 110kV; 400kV; Rabbitte; EirGrid; pylons; EMF; judicial review; High Court; appeal; justice; Fianna Fail; Fine Gael; L, EirGrid; budget; tax; stealth tax; PSO Levy; electricity price; charges; financial statement; Fine Gael; Fianna Fail; Labour Party; People Before Profit; Direct Democracy; ESB; Rabbitte; Phil Hogan; S
2 Comments
The threat of legal costs in environmental litigation
Disclaimer: This has been written from my bed whilst on sick leave, so please be patient! The phrase ‘legal costs’ makes everybody nervous, even lawyers, who often find them difficult to explain to their clients, especially when the client … Continue reading
Posted in Uncategorized
Tagged Aarhus Treaty; Aarhus Convention; UN; EU; windfarms; NREAP; Pat Swords; Rabbitte; environment; wind turbines; consultation; EirGrid;, Biowatch; Monsanto; genetic engineering; Aarhus; High Court; Baker J.; Hedigan J.; Panda Waste; Sillelagh Quarries Limited; McCoy; protective costs order; PCO; legal costs; lawyer fees; public interes, CIArb; Chartered Institute of Arbitrators; EirGrid; independent review; consultation; Aarhus; GridLink; Grid25; NREAP; Pat Swords; Fine Gael; Fianna Fail; Rabbitte; Green Party; Eamonn Ryan; Labour, Coolnabacky; Laois; Kilkenny; An Bord Pleanala; Andrew Boyle; EirGrid; substation; 110kV; 400kV; Rabbitte; EirGrid; pylons; EMF; judicial review; High Court; appeal; justice; Fianna Fail; Fine Gael; L, EirGrid; GridLink; Grid25; Fine Gael; Fianna Fail; Green Party'; Labour Party; Enda Kenny; Pat Rabbitte; Mary O'Rourke; Noel Dempsey; Bertie Ahern; Oireachtas; Constitution; EU; Directive; European Co, EirGrid; wind turbine; illegal; Fine Gael; Fianna Fail; Green Party; NREAP; Labour Party; Rabbitte; EU Directive; Oireachtas; ESB; wind turbine; biomass; BW Energy; Rethink Pylons; Irish Law Times, Pat Swords; High Court; Four Courts; Pat Rabbitte; NREAP; EirGrid; EU; wind energy; wind turbines; pylons; Labour; Fianna Fail; Sinn Fein; Green Party; Eamon Ryan
3 Comments
Windfarms and the Irish Horse Racing Industry
The thoroughbred industry in Ireland is highly successful and globally competitive. It directly employs approximately 14,000 individuals and thousands more indirectly. It made a direct economic contribution of nearly €1.1 billion to the Irish economy in 2012. Love them or … Continue reading
Posted in Uncategorized
Tagged Aarhus Treaty; Aarhus Convention; UN; EU; windfarms; NREAP; Pat Swords; Rabbitte; environment; wind turbines; consultation; EirGrid;, Aarhus Treaty; Aarhus Convention; UN; EU; windfarms; NREAP; Pat Swords; Rabbitte; environment; wind turbines; consultation; EirGrid; GridLink; John Lowry; Fine Gael; Fianna Fail; Labour Party; Green P, CIArb; Chartered Institute of Arbitrators; EirGrid; independent review; consultation; Aarhus; GridLink; Grid25; NREAP; Pat Swords; Fine Gael; Fianna Fail; Rabbitte; Green Party; Eamonn Ryan; Labour, Coolnabacky; Laois; Kilkenny; An Bord Pleanala; Andrew Boyle; EirGrid; substation; 110kV; 400kV; Rabbitte; EirGrid; pylons; EMF; judicial review; High Court; appeal; justice; Fianna Fail; Fine Gael; L, race horse; Irish racing industry; thoroughbred; horses; injury; defect; cripple; noise; vibration
8 Comments
KNOCKNAMONA WINDFARM APPEAL – Please help!!
KNOCKNAMONA WINDFARM APPEAL The application by Ecopower Development Limited to build twelve monster wind turbines on the scenic Drumhills at Knocknamona caused a huge public outrage in the County of Waterford. . No less than 270 objections were lodged with … Continue reading
Posted in Uncategorized
Tagged Aarhus Treaty; Aarhus Convention; UN; EU; windfarms; NREAP; Pat Swords; Rabbitte; environment; wind turbines; consultation; EirGrid;, Aarhus Treaty; Aarhus Convention; UN; EU; windfarms; NREAP; Pat Swords; Rabbitte; environment; wind turbines; consultation; EirGrid; GridLink; John Lowry; Fine Gael; Fianna Fail; Labour Party; Green P, CIArb; Chartered Institute of Arbitrators; EirGrid; independent review; consultation; Aarhus; GridLink; Grid25; NREAP; Pat Swords; Fine Gael; Fianna Fail; Rabbitte; Green Party; Eamonn Ryan; Labour, Coolnabacky; Laois; Kilkenny; An Bord Pleanala; Andrew Boyle; EirGrid; substation; 110kV; 400kV; Rabbitte; EirGrid; pylons; EMF; judicial review; High Court; appeal; justice; Fianna Fail; Fine Gael; L, EcoPower; Ecopower Developments Limited; Waterford City Council; Waterford County Council; wind farm; County Development Plan, Knockanore
Leave a comment
ESB versus EirGrid – again
In an earlier blog I suggested that the interests of the ESB and EirGrid were on a collision course, particularly as the ESB want to continue running their cash-cow Moneypoint for as long as possible, whereas the Grid25 Project aims … Continue reading
Posted in Uncategorized
Tagged Aarhus Treaty; Aarhus Convention; UN; EU; windfarms; NREAP; Pat Swords; Rabbitte; environment; wind turbines; consultation; EirGrid; GridLink; John Lowry; Fine Gael; Fianna Fail; Labour Party; Green P, Catherine McGuinness; John Fitzgerald; Keith Bell; Karen Foley; Colm McCarthy; Pat Rabbitte; EirGrid cyclist; status; Road Traffic Act; interpretation; motorist; Special Olympics; Green Man Dr Graham , CIArb; Chartered Institute of Arbitrators; EirGrid; independent review; consultation; Aarhus; GridLink; Grid25; NREAP; Pat Swords; Fine Gael; Fianna Fail; Rabbitte; Green Party; Eamonn Ryan; Labour, Coolnabacky; Laois; Kilkenny; An Bord Pleanala; Andrew Boyle; EirGrid; substation; 110kV; 400kV; Rabbitte; EirGrid; pylons; EMF; judicial review; High Court; appeal; justice; Fianna Fail; Fine Gael; L, EirGrid; budget; tax; stealth tax; PSO Levy; electricity price; charges; financial statement; Fine Gael; Fianna Fail; Labour Party; People Before Profit; Direct Democracy; ESB; Rabbitte; Phil Hogan; S, Green Paper on Energy; submissions; ESB, Pat Swords; High Court; Four Courts; Pat Rabbitte; NREAP; EirGrid; EU; wind energy; wind turbines; pylons; Labour; Fianna Fail; Sinn Fein; Green Party; Eamon Ryan
Leave a comment
The Aarhus Treaty – act now
I do not pretend to be an expert on the Aarhus Convention. The Irish authority on that subject is Dr. Aine Ryall of UCC (see http://environmentaljustice.ie/) and of course ‘our very own’ Mr Pat Swords, who has been waging a … Continue reading
Posted in Uncategorized
Tagged Aarhus Treaty; Aarhus Convention; UN; EU; windfarms; NREAP; Pat Swords; Rabbitte; environment; wind turbines; consultation; EirGrid; GridLink; John Lowry; Fine Gael; Fianna Fail; Labour Party; Green P, CIArb; Chartered Institute of Arbitrators; EirGrid; independent review; consultation; Aarhus; GridLink; Grid25; NREAP; Pat Swords; Fine Gael; Fianna Fail; Rabbitte; Green Party; Eamonn Ryan; Labour, EirGrid; wind; wind turbines; Aarhus; environment; pylons; democracy; Ireland
5 Comments
Blog Awards Ireland
Thank you very much to the loyal readers who nominated me for this award. Although I am only on the Long List (http://www.blogawardsireland.com/) it is still a welcome recognition. This type of blog is a fairly thankless task as it … Continue reading
Posted in Uncategorized
Tagged Aarhus Treaty; Aarhus Convention; UN; EU; windfarms; NREAP; Pat Swords; Rabbitte; environment; wind turbines; consultation; EirGrid; GridLink; John Lowry; Fine Gael; Fianna Fail; Labour Party; Green P, Catherine McGuinness; John Fitzgerald; Keith Bell; Karen Foley; Colm McCarthy; Pat Rabbitte; EirGrid cyclist; status; Road Traffic Act; interpretation; motorist; Special Olympics; Green Man Dr Graham , CIArb; Chartered Institute of Arbitrators; EirGrid; independent review; consultation; Aarhus; GridLink; Grid25; NREAP; Pat Swords; Fine Gael; Fianna Fail; Rabbitte; Green Party; Eamonn Ryan; Labour, Coolnabacky; Laois; Kilkenny; An Bord Pleanala; Andrew Boyle; EirGrid; substation; 110kV; 400kV; Rabbitte; EirGrid; pylons; EMF; judicial review; High Court; appeal; justice; Fianna Fail; Fine Gael; L, EirGrid; budget; tax; stealth tax; PSO Levy; electricity price; charges; financial statement; Fine Gael; Fianna Fail; Labour Party; People Before Profit; Direct Democracy; ESB; Rabbitte; Phil Hogan; S, leukaemia; child; cancer; Dennis Henshaw; EMR; EMF; EirGrid; Slye; John Lowry; Rabbitte; Labour; Fianna Fail; Fine Gael; Green Party; Sinn Fein; pylons; cancer; medical opinion; ethics
1 Comment
Update from Pat Swords
Pat Swords continues his battle against the madness that is the National Renewable Energy Action Plan (NREAP) and more particularly the failure of the EU and the Irish Government to consult (at all) with the Irish public about the Plan … Continue reading
Posted in Uncategorized
Tagged Aarhus Treaty; Aarhus Convention; UN; EU; windfarms; NREAP; Pat Swords; Rabbitte; environment; wind turbines; consultation; EirGrid; GridLink; John Lowry; Fine Gael; Fianna Fail; Labour Party; Green P, CIArb; Chartered Institute of Arbitrators; EirGrid; independent review; consultation; Aarhus; GridLink; Grid25; NREAP; Pat Swords; Fine Gael; Fianna Fail; Rabbitte; Green Party; Eamonn Ryan; Labour, Coolnabacky; Laois; Kilkenny; An Bord Pleanala; Andrew Boyle; EirGrid; substation; 110kV; 400kV; Rabbitte; EirGrid; pylons; EMF; judicial review; High Court; appeal; justice; Fianna Fail; Fine Gael; L, Pat Swords; High Court; Four Courts; Pat Rabbitte; NREAP; EirGrid; EU; wind energy; wind turbines; pylons; Labour; Fianna Fail; Sinn Fein; Green Party; Eamon Ryan
4 Comments
