Letters to the editor: Environmental group works ‘without fear or favour’

EDITOR – We very much appreciate Diarmuid Cohalan’s shared concern over sustainable farming practices (last week’s Letters) and future reductions in emissions.

But the idea that environmental responsibilities can be avoided with the classic ‘whataboutery’ arguments is well past its sell-by date.

When the Dutch court imposed greater restrictions on nitrogen use by the agricultural sector, they made it clear that ‘the mere circumstances that the Dutch emissions make up a small share of the worldwide emissions does not affect the care to be exercised by the State vis-a-vis third parties’.

‘Third parties’ are you and me.

Nor would I be comfortable marching on the Chinese embassy under a climate banner when our per capita emissions substantially exceed our fellow Chinese. What is most worrying, however, is the serious issue he takes with our legal challenge to the government’s climate action plans. In fact, his concern that taxpayers’ money might be used to bring legal action against the State extends to ‘any organisation pursuing a legal claim against a serving government’.

Is Mr Cohalan suggesting government funding should be used as a tool to stifle justified dissent or inhibit organisations from holding governments legally accountable? This is the road to tyranny.

Unlike China, we are lucky to live in a pluralist, liberal democracy which still celebrates divergent voices in public debates and does not seek to deny or silence them – or worse.

In a healthy democracy, checks and balances, including legal challenges, are vital to ensure the government acts in the best interests of its citizens. FIE is an entirely voluntary organisation. All of our legal actions are brought in the public interest and are explained on our website.

The Supreme Court made it clear when we successfully struck down the government’s first climate action plan in 2021 that as far as climate action is concerned, what once was policy and beyond the review of the courts is now law, and that the courts are there to ensure the government meets its national and international legal climate commitments.

Legal challenges are a legitimate means of ensuring government transparency. Funding from the government does not compromise our right to hold the government accountable for its legal obligations.

In point of fact, all our legal representatives act ‘pro bono’ – for the public good – and without assurance of fees. The successful Supreme Court case referred to above cost FIE in photocopying, court fees, etc €17,017. These funds were provided for by public subscription. While we were awarded costs, 25% was subtracted as our human rights grounds were rejected since, as a limited company, we were not a ‘human’.

NGOs like FIE are willing to work collaboratively with governments to find sustainable solutions to environmental challenges. Legal action is a last resort. This little charity from West Cork will continue to seek to ensure that our elected representatives who form the serving government operate within the environmental laws that it has enacted, without fear or favour.

Tony Lowes,
Friends of the Irish Environment,
Kilcatherine, Eyeries.

No place for bullyboy tactics in the Dáil

EDITOR – I was watching the budget programme on RTÉ one on Budget day. Deputy Padraic MacLaughlin, chief whip of the Sinn Féin party, was a member of the panel, along with Minister Carroll MacNeill, and as in any healthy debate people put forward their points of view.

When the minister was making her points of view, Deputy McLaughlin interjected to remind her that the SF financial spokesperson Pearse Doherty, debating the Budget in the Dáil, would put manners on her.

That statement reminds me of old bullyboy tactics, violence, and underworld criminal activities.

It was even more serious given the language was used against a female, and the threat to be made in our national parliament. Is that the type of politics Sinn Fein believes in, or the disrespect it has for the Dáil?

I would like to ask the party leader if she agrees with that kind of behaviour? If a government minister, said they, or the government were going to put manners on Deputy Mary Lou MacDonald, there would be uproar from Sinn Fein.

Sinn Fein must respect and understand that in a democracy you cannot threaten people with that kind of language.

John O’Sullivan,
Innishannon.

Looking to play with local jazz musicians

EDITOR – I am a retired German teacher (70+) coming to Eyeries/ Beara for more than 35 years. I love West Cork, most of all the unique landscape and the people.

In 1993 I, together with my German band, played tenor sax at the Cork Guinness Jazz Festival and in 2010 I was fortunate enough to play at the Ballydehob Jazz Festival. I always liked and enjoyed the atmosphere and the good crack over there.

As l come to Ireland and West Cork for a couple of weeks every year, I would actually love to get to know either a traditional West Cork-based jazz trio (eg piano, drums, double bass) to play with, or an experienced trad/jazz piano player for occasional rehearsals and events, playing favourite jazz standards and international evergreens.

It would be great if I could play with some West Cork jazz musicians and so get some insights into the West Cork jazz scene, which I hear is a lively one. If anyone would like to contact me, they can email me at [email protected].

Achim Eich,
Luebeck, Germany.

Unimaginative budget for area of housing

EDITOR – I felt that Budget ‘24 was a little unimaginative as regards one of our biggest problem facing this country – especially in our strong current financial situation.

I wouldn’t call it very imaginative putting €4bn into what was called a ‘Rainy Day Fund’ when that money could have been targeted on building blocks of student accommodation beside each university and also beside our hospitals for all medical staff.

Furthermore, a ministerial order could be used to proceed with those buildings immediately and cut red tape. Those blocks would be there for years to come and serve many of our youthful generations. It is still not too late to adopt that approach.

Michael O’Sullivan,
Allihies, Beara.