Comments on: Whistleblowing and Immunity in Ireland

By: Rita Cahill

Rita Cahill — Mon, 16 Dec 2013 05:58:25 +0000

More Corruption and more lies here this Email i stumbled upon, read it why would these TD Councils want the Email deleted after
Leitrim County Development Plan 2009 – 2015 Environmental Statement
1. Legislative Background
The Leitrim County Development Plan was adopted on 26th January 2009 and takes effect from the 23rd February 2009. This report has been prepared in accordance with Article 13 (i) 1 of the Planning and Development (Strategic Environmental Assessment) Regulations 2004 as set out below.
Article 13 (I) (1) of the Strategic Environmental Assessment Regulations 2004 states; In addition to the requirement of section 12(12)(b) of the Act, a notice under section 12(12)(a) of the Act shall state that a statement is also available, summarising—
(a) how environmental considerations have been integrated into the plan, (b) how
(i) the environmental report prepared pursuant to article 13C,
(ii) submissions and observations made to the planning authority in response to a notice under section 12(1) or (7) of the Act, and (iii) any consultations under article 13F.
have been taken into account during the preparation of the plan. (c) the reasons for choosing the plan, as adopted, in the light of the other reasonable alternatives dealt with, and
(d) the measures decided upon to monitor, in accordance with article 13J, the significant environmental effects of implementation of the plan.
2.
integrated into the making of the Plan
How environmental Considerations have been taken into account and
A decision was taken at the outset by the Executive and supported by the Elected Members that the Development Plan, Strategic Environmental Assessment and related documents would be prepared in-house. The work involved was lead by a team of professionals who have a good working knowledge of planning and environmental matters within the County. It was considered that such an approach would lead to a more bespoke plan. Also, and importantly, it would lead to efficiencies whereby economic, social and environmental concerns would be transposed more directly into the Draft Plan than would have happened had these documents been prepared through a combination of in-house and out-of-house workings.
As part of the Plan making process a significant level of consultation was undertaken in addition to the statutory requirements. This included; the preparation of Background Issues Paper and Position Papers, Area based Public meetings,
Manned Public Information Displays, Radio and Newspaper advertising, Notices in local parish newsletters, Flyers being posted at key locations in towns and villages, Area based Workshops/Meetings were held with the elected representatives and inter- Departmental Consultations were undertaken. A significant amount of information on
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Leitrim County Development Plan 2009 – 2015 Environmental Statement
the plan making process (including at different stages the Plan itself and the Strategic Environmental Report) was made available to the public on an ongoing basis on the Council web site. Environmental issues featured strongly in the making of the Plan and whereas the individual issues raised were fully considered, most notably in the Managers Report, many have therefore not appeared in the Environmental Report. The ‘Directions’ given by the Elected Members lead to the preparation of three position papers in respect to one-off housing in the countryside, sight distance requirements and carparking. It can be said that the considerations of the environmental issues raised during the consultation period featured strongly in the making of the Plan and have had a significant influence on the outcome of the Plan. Of particular significance was the use of GIS environmental based data-sets in the formulation of policy eg in relation to one-off housing in the countryside, windfarms, afforestation and visual amenity. A significant amount of data in relation to the environment has been generated as a result of the making of the Plan and ready access to this information will be of particular assistance in the implementation of the Plan.
As a result of complying with the requirements of Article 6 of the Habitats Directive (43/92/EU) in respect to an Appropriate Assessment, a number of amendments were made to the Plan in order to clarify and strengthen policy on protecting sites of significant ecological importance
The consideration of environmental concerns cannot be exhaustive, generally the significant impact on the environment of implementing the plan have been given due consideration. Those environmental issues that may be more appropriately dealt with at a different level of assessment, have accordingly not been dealt with in detail in the SEA.
The SEA process was carried out as an iterative ongoing process. For the most part the team charged with preparing the report met on a regular basis to discuss progress and make decisions. An outline of the approach to the preparation of the SEA Report is given in Table 1 over.
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Leitrim County Development Plan 2009 – 2015 Environmental Statement
Action
Comments
1. Screening
An Environmental Report is mandatory for a County Development Plan, therefore no Screening was undertaken
2. Scoping Report
Scoping Report was prepared setting out the policy context and baseline environmental data
3. Consultation with the Environmental Authorities
The three Environmental Authorities; Environmental Protection Authority, the Minister for the Environment Heritage and Local Government were consulted in respect to the Scoping Report and the Draft Strategic Environmental Report.
4. Preparation of Environmental Report and Draft County Development Plan
5. Formulation and Assessment of Alternatives
6. Mitigation 7. Monitoring
8. Ongoing consideration of the Plan making process
9. Assessment of aims, policies and objectives including amendments to Draft Plan.
The current development plan and relevent International, National, Regional and Local Plans and Guidelines were considered as appropriate. A key part of the plan making process was the consideration of the outcome of workshops held with the elected members, the pre draft submissions and Interdepartmental consultations. Position papers on key issues raised by the elected members were prepared and informed the making of the Plan.
Alternative approaches to the making of the Plan were considered and the most appropriate option selected.
Mitigation was considered and suitable measures were formulated
Environmental objectives, Indicators and targets were formulated against which the implementation of the Plan could be assessed. The submissions from notified bodies, the public and other interested parties were considered as well as the outcomes from the public meetings and workshops/meetings held with the elected representatives. Also the plan making process was informed by internal consultations and generally by unfolding considerations. All of the foregoing considerations gave rise to significant proposal in terms of formulating and thereafter amending the Draft Plan. During each stage of the plan making
process environmental issues featured strongly.
Strategic Envionmental Objectives were developed against which the environmental impacts of each of the aims, policies and objectives of the Plan have been assessed.
Table 1
3. Scoping
A scoping report was prepared in order to identify the relevant environmental issues so that they can be given proper consideration in the Environmental Report. Also as part of the scoping process, consultation was undertaken with the three statutory bodies – the Environmental Protection Agency, the Department of the Environmental,
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Leitrim County Development Plan 2009 – 2015 Environmental Statement
Heritage and Local Government and the Department of Communications, Marine and Natural Resources.
4. Directions from the Elected Members
Following the “Directions” from the Elected Members, Position Papers in respect to; the accommodation of housing in the countryside, sight distance and carparking were prepared and the papers were presented to the Strategic Policy Committee and subsequently posted on the Extranet for viewing by the Elected Members. The outcomes from the position papers have been incorporated into the Draft Plan.
5. Submissions from Environmental Authorities
List of Environmental Authorities notified under Article 13D (1) of the Planning and Development (Strategic Environmental Assessment) Regulations 2004
1 Environmental Protection Agency
2 Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government
3 Department of Communications Marine and Natural Resources Two submissions were received from the Department of the Environment Heritage and Local Government as outlined below; Submission 1 from the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government.
This submission makes reference to international conventions, national plans, programmes and policies and also refers to the need to refer Drafts of County Development Plan and Local Area Plans to the Department for comment. The submission refers to the need to consider;
• the Record of Monuments and Places,
• Urban Archaeological Survey
• the Archaeological Inventory for County Leitrim
• National Monuments
• Increased pressure on the archaeological resource
• The need to liaise with the National Monuments Section
In relation to Nature Conservation the submission refers to a list of information to be included in the Environmental Report that accompanies the Development Plan. The Department mentions that it may make recommendations from an architectural heritage perspective.
Submission 2 from the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government
The submission from the Development Applications Unit of the Department of the Environment Heritage and Local Government makes recommendations in respect to Architectural Heritage. The submission considers that Architectural Heritage is a material asset which is to be taken into account in Strategic Environmental Assessment. Guidance is given by the Department and references are made to a
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Leitrim County Development Plan 2009 – 2015 Environmental Statement
number of Guidelines including; the Guidelines for Regional Authorities, Strategic Environmental Assessment Guidelines, the Architectural Heritage Protection Guidelines for Planning Authorities, 2004. The Department give advice in respect to the level of detail and data to be included during the Strategic Environmental Assessment Process.
Submission 3 from Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources
The submission from the Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources recommends that consideration should be given to the potential for significant impacts on:
– Water quality by surface water drainage and effluent discharges.
– Interference with Inland or Marine waters morphology and aquatic habitats by watercourse diversions, channel diversions and alteration or removal of
bank vegetation.
– Reduction or diversion of water flows by alterations of land use patterns
(leading to alterations in flow regimes).
– The effects of the policy proposal on land use patterns and its potential
disturbance of biodiversity.
– For tourist based developments on or in close proximity to the coastline,
their potential impact on coastal protection and marine biodiversity.
– Potential increased flood risk resulting from changed land use patterns.
The department also recommends that the following legislation may need to be considered:
– Water Framework Directive
– Habitat Regulations
– Fisheries Acts
– Foreshore Acts (1933-1998) (this may apply to any proposed marine based
tourism development on Foreshore)
– Urban Waste Water Regulations
– Floods Directive (when adopted)
– Arterial Drainage Act 1945
Suggested Consultees include:
– Northern and North western Regional Fisheries Boards
– Office of Public works
– North western, Shannon and Western River Basin Districts
The Northern Fisheries Board indicated in their submission that they had no comments to make at this stage in respect to the environmental report.
The issues raised by the environmental authorities have been taken into consideration throughout the making of the Draft Plan.
6. Transboundary Environmental Effects
Under section 13 F(1) requires that a copy of the draft development plan and associated environmental report be forwarded to a member state where the planning
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Leitrim County Development Plan 2009 – 2015 Environmental Statement
authority considers that implementation of the plan is likely to have significant effects on the environment of a member state. In terms of transbounary environmental effects it is considered that the implementation of the plan would not have a significant positive or negative environmental effect. The requirement to notify the Northern Ireland State Authority does not therefore arise. Never-the-less, Fermanagh District Council was consulted. 7. Selecting Alternative Approaches to the making of the Plan Alternative approaches to the preparation of the Draft Plan were formulated and considered at an early stage of the process. The “Sustainable Development Plan Led Approach” was selected as the preferred alternative as this approach takes full account of the three central tenants of sustainable development which are
based on social, economic and environmental considerations. This approach is best placed to achieve a proper balance between economic, environmental and social considerations. Leitrim is predominantly a rural county and it is the primary aim of the council to protect and reinforce the population base that underpins the important social, cultural and economic fabric that defines the county.
8. Monitoring
Monitoring and review were considered to be key elements in the effective implementation of the County Plan. It ensures that social, economic and physical objectives are fulfilled and that quality of life issues can be assessed.
In order to facilitate the identification, evaluation and monitoring of the impacts of the Plan, baseline data focused on relevant aspects of the environment that are likely to be significantly affected, is presented in the Environmental Report.
There is a statutory requirement under Section 15 (2) of the Planning and Development Act 2000 – 2006 to prepare a Managers Progress Report two years after the adoption of the County Development Plan. The Progress Report ‘shall include information in relation to progress on, and the results of monitoring the significant environmental effects of implementation of the development plan.’ In this regard the environmental indicators and targets presented in Chapter 13 of the Environmental Report may be used to monitor the predicted environmental impacts of implementing the Plan. Monitoring will be based around the objectives, indicators and targets. Monitoring at an early stage will help identify unforeseen adverse effects and the undertaking of appropriate remedial action. Monitoring measures over the Development Plan period can be geared towards addressing any gaps (where practicable) which are identified in the Environmental Report. It will also enable an assessment of whether the Development Plan is achieving its environmental objectives and targets and identify issues that be need to be revisited.
The list of environmental objectives are indicated in Table 17. The table is based on Table 4B of the DOEHLG Guidelines (2004). The list includes: biodiversity, population, human health, geology/soil, water, air/ climatic factors, material assets, cultural heritage/ landscape and the interrelationship between these factors.

By: Just me

Just me — Tue, 29 Oct 2013 18:19:56 +0000

“Police are requesting “on behalf of the Crown Prosecution Service” that magazine vendors refrain from selling today’s edition of Private Eye.”

http://dwpexamination.org/forum/political-soap-box/police-trying-to-remove-private-eye-from-shops/#p114828

By: Golem XIV

Golem XIV — Wed, 16 Oct 2013 08:08:15 +0000

In reply to orville.

Hello orville,

The two films I can offer you are Icon Earth shown in 1996 and High anxieties shown in early 2008.

Both are available under their titles on YouTube.

Icon was about the threat of globalization. High Anxieties was about the roots of the global debt crisis and global climate change.

I would be interested to hear your thoughts if you happen to watch them.

Sorry for my recent long silence. Life has its ups and downs.

By: steviefinn

steviefinn — Wed, 16 Oct 2013 05:34:26 +0000

In reply to desmond.

Conversation yesterday at work : Hard working young lad thrilled at moving into an apartment after spending quite some time saving up £20,000 for a deposit on an £100,000 apartment, greeted by other other youngsters delight at him having managed this feat. He works in the film industry probably managing to work a few months a year at a pretty high pay rate. The mortgage was possible due to the fact that he had worked for one stretch for more than 3 months which made it possible to provide the bank with 3 months worth of pay slips.

More delight that the government was going to make it possible to do the same with a 5% deposit rather than 10%. My party poop would not have been appreciated – These hard working, somehow optimistic young people deserve better.

By: orville

orville — Tue, 15 Oct 2013 20:52:55 +0000

Hello Golem,

Off topic, and probably already said (and maybe even done – if so please send me links), but have you made any film about the same subjects as your blog here? The comprehensibility of the way quite complex subjects are articulated would be very translatable to video, and good to share with friends.

Anywho, many thanks for your articles and space for contributions.

Cheers

By: CArratiaM

CArratiaM — Tue, 15 Oct 2013 20:33:50 +0000

In reply to Pat.

Thanks Pat for your reply.

And yeah the Meltfund site is perhaps satirical, at first I thought it could be so but then as I kept reading on and on I found no indication that it actually was satirical but more on the opposite and I got convinced it wasn’t. At this point I’m not really sure anymore what it is…

About the common/small rent seekers, I agree that they are also part of the problem! But sure I would not point at them in the first place.

By: Phil T.

Phil T. — Tue, 15 Oct 2013 15:10:00 +0000

In reply to Just me.

First 10 -minutes of Max Keiser on this most recent privatisation scheme, etc…. http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=aNV3pvtmJ3M

By: 24K

24K — Tue, 15 Oct 2013 00:19:02 +0000

Eight universities have now been closed for five weeks after workers went on strike to oppose the dismissal of 1,349 administrative staff. Four of the eight university directors have refused to submit to the Education Ministry lists of employees with the information necessary to implement their sackings. The remaining four submitted lists of names without including any further details

The government plans are part of the latest attacks on the Greek public sector, which aim at placing a total of 25,000 public sector workers in “mobility” by the end of December. By the end of 2014, the government aims to have eliminated 150,000 positions in the public sector.

Ministry has drafted legislation foreseeing the suspension of all the universities’ administrative staff unless all eight institutions submit lists of their employees along with the additional information necessary for authorities to evaluate them.

The union for the private sector, the GSEE, has called another 24-hour general strike for November 6. The strike is directed at plans to increase the country’s property tax. The tax applies in Greece to many workers who often have small apartments or houses.

Improvements in other parts are also clear:

Greek hospital workers are also opposing the dismissal of employees and the closure and merger of hospitals. Eight hospitals began strike action this week that will initially continue over the weekend.

https://www.wsws.org/en/articles/2013/10/14/gree-o14.html

By: 24K

24K — Tue, 15 Oct 2013 00:17:51 +0000

The U.S. Postal Service has defaulted on a $5.6 billion payment for retiree health benefits that was due on Monday, just as the Postmaster General had warned it would.

he said the Postal Service was “in the midst of a financial disaster” and that it is “burdened by an outdated and inflexible business model” that prevents it from making payments.

Postal Service hit its debt limit last year, which means that it cannot borrow any more money from the U.S. Treasury.

The Postal Service plans to cut 150,000 workers.

http://money.cnn.com/2013/10/01/news/economy/postal-service-default/index.html?hpt=hp_t2

By: Pat

Pat — Mon, 14 Oct 2013 21:39:18 +0000

In reply to CArratiaM.

@ CArratiaM

The Melt Fund website appears to be satirical, describing common processes that are fundamental to our economic system (enclosure, privatisation, rent-seeking) under the guise of a brazen prospectus or manifesto. It is surely arguable that anyone who has happily gained from property speculation or who buys a property to rent out to others in the hope of gaining some advantage or financial security for themselves is complicit to some degree in the general malaise, even if on a different scale from the ‘captains of finance’.

The ordinary, small-fry rent-seekers acquiesce and participate in this behaviour because they believe what they are told, that ‘there is no alternative’. Here in Ireland, I know many people who incurred massive debts when the bubble was near to bursting in order to buy over-priced property, and who now have to pay mortgages on houses with massive negative equity. Yet even with hindsight they will tell you quite seriously that they had no alternative but to ‘get on the ladder’, that rent is ‘dead money’ etc. The indoctrination goes deep and dissidents will likely remain a minority.