Ireland's Property Crisis 2017 a RTÉ harrowing exposé

The following is a RTÉ programme first shown on Monday April 3 2017.

Ireland is currently suffering through one of the worst housing crisis that the country has ever seen. It seems that the Irish public are either scrambling to find property that they can afford to rent or climbing out of negative equity on property they have already invested in.

Every day, the Irish people are facing soaring rental demands and crippling social housing waiting lists. Most troubling are the statistics that say 7,421 adults and children are in need of emergency accommodation.

North-South electricity interconnector gets green light

 

             EirGrid plans to construct almost 300 pylons in Meath, Cavan and Monaghan

An Bord Pleanála has given the green light to EirGrid's plans to build a new North-South electricity interconnector.

The interconnector is due to run from Batterstown in Meath, to Turleenan in Co Tyrone.

EirGrid's proposal to construct almost 300 pylons in Meath, Cavan and Monaghan was objected to by around 200 landowners on health and environment grounds.

The decision to grant approval, with conditions, follows a 12-week oral hearing into the development earlier this year.

Residents opposed to the plan were notified this morning.

The Chief Executive of Eirgrid has welcomed the decision by An Bord Pleanála, describing the interconnector as a "critical piece of national infrastructure". 

Speaking on RTÉ News at One, Fintan Slye said he recognises that there are concerns and issues among landowners and community groups. He said that Eirgrid is committed to continuing to work with them to try and address their concerns.

Mr Slye said he expects a favourable decision on planning permission for the northern element of the project in the new year. He said that it has to go due process, but Eirgrid have put forward the most appropriate solution.

An Bord Pleanála inspector Breda Gannon approved planning permission for 299 pylons but set out nine conditions for the planning.

The inspector also noted the findings of the Health Service Executive that there should be no concern about the electromagnetic fields surrounding the pylons as long as the interconnector is properly monitored and operated in line with international standards.  

Giving their reaction, the North East Pylon Pressure Campaign Committee said they were bitterly disappointed that their concerns over health and the environment were not taken into consideration.

Padráig Reilly from the committee said they still believed that the high voltage lines could go underground and EirGrid would now find itself in an impossible situation trying to negotiate with up to 200 landowners who are opposed to the interconnector.

Reacting to the decision, Taoiseach Enda Kenny said that An Bord Pleanála is independent in its views.

He said: "It is a completely independent board. We have an all island energy market and these kinds of facilities are important for the economy north and south.

"But it's not for me to adjudicate on the independence of An Bord Pleanála."

Mr Kenny said he understands that it will go for a judicial review which will also be independent in its determination.

Full artice: RTE Dec 21 2016

Govt Chief Whip supports 'civil disobedience' over interconnector decision

Regina Doherty, who represents the Meath East constituency, said that she is 'bitterly disappointed' by An Board Pleanála's decision

Government Chief Whip Regina Doherty has said she will support farmers and landowners if they engage in "civil disobedience" to hamper the decision by An Bord Pleanála to give the green light to EirGrid's plans to build a new North-South electricity interconnector.

In a statement to RTÉ's Morning Ireland, Ms Doherty said was "bitterly disappointed but not surprised" by the decision.

"I am particularly disappointed with the treatment by Eirgrid of the people of Cavan, Meath and Monaghan."

We are about to enter into a phase of civil disobedience to hamper the decision made by An Bord Pleanála and I fully support the farmers and landowners in that action.

Full Article: RTE Dec 22 2016

EC: Ireland has no exemption from water charges

The European Commission has confirmed that it does not believe Ireland has a derogation from water charges under a key European Union directive.

The commission has said that it considers the application of water charges as qualifying as Ireland's so-called "established practice" under the Water Framework Directive.

The clarification by the commission increases the likelihood that it could take action against the Government if it abandons water charges.

In a written statement to Irish MEP Marian Harkin, the commission says that Ireland cannot "revert to any previous practice" as to how it complies with the Water Framework Directive.

The commission states: "Ireland made a clear commitment to set up water charges to comply with [the directive].  

"Ireland subsequently applied water charges and the commission considers that the directive does not provide for a situation whereby it can revert to any previous practice."

In a written question to the EU Environment Commissioner Karmenu Vella, independent MEP Ms Harkin asked if Ireland's method of paying for water - ie general taxation - was still valid as it was in place when the Water Framework Directive was adopted by Ireland in 2003.

Specifically, Ms Harkin sought assurances that the directive acknowledged Ireland's method of paying for water at the time, and that, according to the wording of the directive, it meant that that "established practice" still allowed Ireland to opt out of water charges.

However, the response sent by Commissioner Vella, and posted on the European Parliament's website, stated that Ireland should have applied for the opt-out in the river basin management plans due by December 2009.

Because it did not, and because Ireland introduced the concept of water charges in 2010, the commission now regarded Ireland as no longer enjoying "flexibility" under Article 9 of the directive.

The response to Ms Harkin said: "Ireland adopted its river basin management plans in July 2010. There is no record of a decision in those plans not to apply the provisions of Article 9 (1).

"On the contrary, in the said plans, Ireland made a clear commitment to set up water charges to comply with the provisions of Article 9 (1). 

"Ireland subsequently applied water charges and the Commission considers that the Directive does not provide for a situation whereby it can revert to any previous practice."

This further clarification by the European Commission means, in effect, that it regards Ireland as being in breach of the directive.

The commission could, therefore, initiate infringement proceedings against Ireland if it abandons water charges.

If the commission takes Ireland to the European Court of Justice it could result in daily fines worth millions of euro.

Opponents of water charges have argued that a previous court ruling in September 2014 should mean that Ireland still enjoys discretion in how it applies the Water Framework Directive.

Original article; rte.ie, June 27, 2016