Minister Sargent said the report shows that the agri-food sector,also known as the 'biosector', contributes approximately one third of the net flow of funds into the economy generated by primary and manufacturing industries. "This is at least double the sectors' contribution to exports," he said.

Minster Sargent said the findings, due to be published shortly, underline the importance of the sector to Ireland's economy.

"Global price increases for food, feed and forestry products in the years since the 2005 data used in the report, may have further boosted the contribution of the 'biosector' industries and may well have strengthened their position as a major contributor to the future prosperity of Ireland," he concluded.

The report was commissioned by the Department of Agriculture and Food, and carried out by Brendan Riordan, Research Consultant. The report will shortly be available on the Department's website at: www.agriculture.gov.ie/publications2008

"Biodiversity Week is Ireland's contribution to a global celebration of biodiversity which aims to increase awareness of the importance of biodiversity and promote action to tackle the loss of many of our species. This is the second year that my Department has supported Biodiversity Week and already it has developed to the extent that we now have over 200 events taking place throughout the country."

Biodiversity Week is being organised in partnership between the National Parks and Wildlife Service, the local authorities and a wide range of environmental organisations.

The Minister welcomed the efforts of all those involved in the organisation of the events saying:"Biodiversity Week provides us with a great opportunity to learn more about our native plants and species and also to find out how we as individuals and as communities can help to ensure the survival of our wildlife for future generations. But just as importantly, it's about having an enjoyable day in pleasant surroundings."

National Biodiversity Week is being supported by 'Notice Nature', the Department's public awareness campaign on biodiversity. For full details of events taking place in your area, please visit thenotice nature website www.noticenature.ie

The Tasmanian Greens today welcomed the sudden move by the Director of Public Health to ban the use of Atrazine and Simazine by at least one operator in the Macquarie River catchment, after a prolonged river chemical contamination event which was initially detected in July last year.

Greens Shadow Water spokesperson Tim Morris MP said that whilst it is a significant step forward to have a ban on the use of Simazine and Atrazine in the Macquarie catchment it only applies to one, unnamed, operator and only until ‘further advised’, and also queried why there was no explanation provided as to why this has been done or why, if there is such a problem in the Macquarie catchment, then why is there not a ban in all other catchments and for all other operators.

Mr Morris said the announcement was contained at the end of a media statement regarding the latest water monitoring results issued by Minister David Llewellyn today, but without any additional information provided.

“The Greens have been calling for years for a complete statewide ban on the Triazine chemicals Atrazine and Simazine, so it is quite remarkable to discover that the Director of Public Health, Dr Roscoe Taylor, has taken this step, even if it is temporary, for the Macquarie River catchment,” Mr Morris said.

“However the one sentence announcement contained in the Minister’s media statement on this matter raises further questions, such as why is the ban in place for just the Macquarie River catchment, and why for only one operator?”

“Only this week new international research evidence of the negative effect of Atrazine impacts upon humans has come to light, which raises the pressure on authorities to at least review the current health value and allowable limits for this chemical, if not simply ban it permanently all together.”

“This catchment and operator-specific ban on Atrazine and Simazine imposed by Dr Taylor is most welcome but needs to be applied state-wide as a permanent ban, if triazines are not safe for the Macquarie River catchment, then they are not safe in any Tasmanian catchments,” Mr Morris said.

The Tasmanian Greens today said that Prime Minister Kevin Rudd’s appalling decision to means test the federal rooftop solar rebate increases pressure on the state government to use this year’s State Budget to improve electricity feed-in tariffs and create state-based rebates for energy efficiency measures and solar hot water systems.

Greens Shadow Climate Change Spokesperson Nick McKim MP said that increasing the rate of feed-in tariffs, which are paid to households that sell electricity back into the grid, would encourage faster uptake of distributed generation systems in Tasmania and help reduce Tasmania’s greenhouse gas emissions.

Mr McKim said that other states are taking the lead in this area, with only Tasmania and Queensland not providing a rebate for solar hot water systems, and Victoria recently announcing a feed-in tariff of 60c per kilowatt hour, while Tasmania’s is languishing at under 20c per kilowatt hour.

“The state government is doing nothing to encourage Tasmanians to install solar systems and use less power, and if Paul Lennon wants to be taken seriously on climate change he is going to have act, and act fast,” Mr McKim said.

“Any failure to address these issues in the upcoming state budget will expose Paul Lennon’s supposed conversion on climate change as just another failed makeover.”

“Although there are flaws in the net metering model used by state governments in Australia it is important that the state government at least takes the first step by subsidising a feed-in tariff that is much higher than the retail price on which it is currently based in Tasmania.”

Mr McKim said that increasing feed-in tariffs is not a matter for energy retailers such as Aurora Energy to address independently, but something on which governments need to take the lead.

“The state government needs to step in with a financial package which would allow energy retailers to pay a more appropriate rate for electricity fed into the grid by households with distributed generation systems like photovoltaics.”

De handtekeningenactie “Handen af van kinderopvang!” is een groot succes! Na twee weken zijn er al bijna 40.000 handtekeningen binnen, en het aantal groeit nog elke dag. Er kwamen ook veel steunbetuigingen binnen bij de Tweede Kamerfractie van GroenLinks. Veel mensen zijn bezorgd dat goedkope kinderopvang straks tot het verleden behoort. ‘Waarom een regeling die goed loopt weer ongedaan maken?’ is een veelgestelde vraag. Met de handtekeningenactie hoopt GroenLinks het kabinet op andere gedachten te brengen.

Teken ook
GroenLinks fractieleider Femke Halsema is blij met de massale steun voor deze actie. “Voor werkende ouders is toegankelijke en goedkope kinderopvang heel belangrijk. Met deze handtekeningen kunnen we écht een vuist maken om de kinderopvang goedkoop te houden. Teken daarom ook !

Tot Prinsjesdag blijft het spannend
Het kabinet weigert tot nu toe om concrete plannen bekend te maken over de stijging van de ouderbijdrage en de plannen voor de gastouderopvang. Tot Prinsjesdag blijft het spannend, en tot die tijd zal de actie van GroenLinks doorgaan. Rond Prinsjesdag zullen we de eindstand van de actie bekendmaken en de handtekeningen aanbieden aan het kabinet.

At the announcement of the Irish Film channel today, Communications Minister Eamon Ryan outlined how recent developments in digital broadcasting technology will add a new dimension to public service channels.
"This new Film Channel has been made possible by the advent of digital technology, which means that it is now possible to broadcast up to ten times the number of digital channels over the same amount of spectrum currently required to carry a single analogue channel. This opens up many exciting new possibilities such as the Irish Film channel and Dail TV which will provide a much more comprehensive service to Irish viewers", Minister Ryan said.
The Irish Film channel, which is expected to be available to digital viewers by the end of next year, will air seven days a week and will broadcast three films a day, of Irish and international origin.
"We have made a number of changes as a result of the Broadcasting Bill, and the Irish Film Channel will be a significant development. It will provide viewers with access to a wide range of both home produced and international cinema, whilst at the same time providing a new avenue for our filmmakers to deliver their work to a wider audience. I am confident that by working in conjunction with the Irish Film Board, the service will be a valuable and important asset for the Irish audience."

GroenLinks is dolblij met de steun van minister Rouvoet voor de initiatiefwet vaderverlof. In dit wetsvoorstel stellen Femke Halsema en Ineke van Gent voor om het vaderverlof te verlengen van twee dagen naar twee weken. Vanochtend heeft Rouvoet zich hier op een bijeenkomst in Lelystad bij aangesloten. GroenLinks gaat ervan uit dat minister Rouvoet deze uitspraken namens het hele kabinet gedaan heeft. Ineke van Gent heeft inmiddels opheldering gevraagd aan het kabinet en gaat ervan uit dat het wetsvoorstel nu snel kan worden ingevoerd.

New York, 14 May 2008

Thank you Mr Chairman. I want to associate myself at the outset with what Minister Jarc from Slovenia has said on behalf of the European Union. I also welcome the remarks of the Secretary General.

There are human stories behind all of our discussions here, behind all of the reports to this meeting. That's what should prompt us to action and to strengthening our efforts to achieve sustainable development.

The current world food crisis is a stark reminder of this. It is also a stark reminder that the impacts of climate change will be felt by the world's most vulnerable peoples. An exceptional response from the international community is required and I welcome the establishment by the Secretary General of a special Task Force to tackle this crisis. Many Governments, including my own, have provided additional support to the World Food Programme to meet short-term needs. In the words of the Executive Director of the WFP, this crisis is a test case for the UN System as a whole to act in a coherent and effective manner.

However the longer-term issue of food security can only be addressed by a comprehensive series of actions at local, national and global levels. These actions must be designed to increase productivity and to enhance rural livelihoods. We must also ensure that our efforts to tackle climate change do not threaten our work to ensure food security.

Many views have been offered during the discussions at this session in the fuel or food debate. This debate must add momentum for investment in the development of second generation biofuels which will not use food sources as feedstock. In the European Union we are working urgently to develop sustainability criteria for biofuels. Such criteria will allow us to meet our climate change challenges and to ensure that we are not putting food security and environmental sustainability at risk.

Addressing these challenges will particularly benefit the world's rural populations. Three quarters of humanity live in rural areas and their livelihoods depend on agriculture. Rural development needs must be integrated into national plans and programmes. Such integration can confirm Governments' commitment to ensuring the economic and social wellbeing of rural communities. Integration is an essential feature of good governance for sustainable development.
Good governance for sustainable development must also include sound economic management which leads to growth rather than recession, and which secures stability rather than soaring inflation. It includes protection of basic human rights and freedoms, the rule of law and meaningful democracy. These are issues of principle, rather than of personality; issues which lay the foundations of justice and of opportunity for ordinary people. These issues are important for the Irish Government both nationally and in our development programme.

Mr. Chairman, We're particularly reminded in this cycle of the importance of the global community fully engaging in relation to the needs of African countries. The needs of Small Island Development States too have been rightly highlighted in this weeks review of implementation of the Mauritius Strategy.

Ireland today is the sixth largest per capita donor of development assistance in the world. We have committed to reaching the UN target of spending 0.7% of Gross National Product on ODA by 2012 and we are well on the way to reaching that target. Approximately 80% of Ireland's ODA is devoted to African countries. Let me express my condolences to the people of China and Myanmar on the terrible tradgies that have occurred in those countries recently.

Mr. Chairman, in conclusion, it is our responsibility to identify and pursue the opportunities that can arise from considering the themes for this CSD in an integrated way. It is our responsibility as Governments to respond to peoples' needs as voiced by our electorates and by the civil society that is so well represented in the work of this Commission. I look forward indeed to tomorrow's engagement with major groups and to further discussions in the coming days in preparation for next year's policy making session.

Thank you.

The Tasmanian Greens today issued an initial response to the decision by the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) to grant a carrier licence to Basslink Telecom, welcoming the decision but cautioning that the development did not guarantee an acceptable resolution to the high cost of data transmission across Bass Strait.

Greens Deputy Leader and ICT spokesperson Nick McKim MP said that there is still no guarantee that the Basslink fibre will be commercialised by the end of this year, and said that a duopoly across Bass Strait may not deliver the necessary parity with national prices.

“This is an encouraging development, but there is still a lot of water to go under the bridge before the mess created by the state government has been untangled,” Mr McKim said.

“There is still significant uncertainty about how Basslink Telecom intends to utilise Tasmania’s land based fibre network which Aurora now has the responsibility to commercialise, and where this development leaves the $2m per annum which the state government is committed to paying the owners of Basslink for doing nothing.”

“We have heard many times before that this issue is close to resolution, and I will not be cracking the champagne until we at least have parity with national prices.”

“Basslink undercutting Telstra’s Bass Strait backhaul prices by just 5 or 10% is not an acceptable outcome, and the onus still rests with the state government to deliver an appropriate result.”

Mr McKim maintained that the state government’s decision to allow Hydro Tasmania to sign the initial Telecommunications Contract, which commits the taxpayer to an indexed $2m payment to the owners of the Basslink fibre, is responsible for many of the delays to date.

The Tasmanian Greens today raised concerns over the future of Hobart’s port control tower, which could then precipitate subsequent sale or long term lease of that site, as they also reacted to the revelation that sale of Macquarie Wharf No 1 shed will be advertised by the government prior to any community determination of the preferred use.

Greens Opposition Leader and Member for Denison Peg Putt MP also raised concerns that the Lennon government may have financial difficulties that will see further asset sales announced in the upcoming State Budget.

Sale or Long Term Lease of Macquarie 1 Wharf

“Privatisation of the Hobart waterfront has been a big worry to the Hobart community who have strongly indicated their desire for continued public ownership and access, so it’s plain wrong for the government to be moving to sell Macquarie Wharf No 1 shed without first testing the proposal with the people via extensive public consultation,” Ms Putt said.

“If it’s a long term lease that’s just as bad in terms of effectively privatising the place for 99 years, something that was made abundantly clear when the government tried to squirm out of community concerns over losing public ownership and use by suggesting long term leases of this nature.”

“We were told in Parliament when the waterfront was taken from council and given to an unelected body to administer that the people would be consulted about what their vision of preferred development was for each part of the cove, and then plans would be developed in line with community views, but now the government has junked those promises and is proceeding to a sale or long term lease which they’ve never previously canvassed.”

“This sidelines the community and sets up a situation of potential conflict for developers to confront.”

“Paul Lennon really has to come out of hiding and explain why he has ditched his promises to the people of Hobart about how he would go about planning for the wharf, and tell us what on earth justifies effectively privatising Macquarie Wharf No 1 shed apart from a grab for cash,” Ms Putt said.

Closure of port control tower

“The Greens have received a flood of contacts about behind the scenes moves regarding the wharf, and we have confirmed that a move is also underway to close down the port control tower, meaning that shipping movements would apparently be controlled from Burnie.”

“Obviously this could affect the safety of ships on the river and travelling up river under the bridge, and although a risk assessment is being undertaken I believe that many who use the Derwent River will not be happy with the prospect of closure of the port control tower.”

“Does this signal a change in the mix of users of the port and a presumption that freight traffic across the wharf will be relocated to northern ports?”

“The question also then arises as to whether there could be a subsequent sale or 99 year lease of that area, which is adjacent to the Quarantine shed on Macquarie No 1 wharf.”

Further asset sales?

“It seems clear that the Lennon government is facing some sort of financial squeeze that is precipitating this grab for cash from wharf property, and we are hearing of further asset sales elsewhere that could also be coming up.”

“Yet only a few months ago the government achieved a sale price for the Hobart airport that was three times greater than predicted, so you’d assume they’d be in a better financial position than expected,” Ms Putt said.

“Has the Lennon government got itself into financial difficulties that are precipitating these moves, do they intend to announce further asset sales in the upcoming State Budget, and how could they possibly justify throwing taxpayers money to Gunns and their pulp mill in such circumstances?”

The Tasmanian Greens today said that the Glamorgan-Spring Bay Council was clearly incapable of managing the Triabunna wharf, that has been closed due to the substructure being condemned, and that instead either the Tasmanian Ports Corporation (TasPorts), or Marine and Safety Tasmania (MAST) should be handed responsibility for what is a strategically important piece of state infrastructure as it is critical that the wharf be repaired, or replaced, as a matter of urgency.

Greens Member for Lyons, Tim Morris MP, said that it is most unusual for a local council to be responsible for the maintenance of such infrastructure, whereas both TasPorts and MAST do maintain other similar wharf and jetty facilities around the state, with TasPorts responsible for operating the Strahan and Stanley wharves. which is comparable to the Triabunna facility as it mainly caters to tourism and fishing users.

Mr Morris also pointed out that the Triabunna wharf is located on Crown Land, which again makes its ongoing maintenance and management more logically placed with either TasPorts or MAST.

“The Glamorgan-Spring Bay Council has known for years that the Triabunna wharf was deteriorating and despite their best efforts has been incapable of keeping it operational, so it is probably time to hand the responsibility for this facility to an organisation that has both the expertise and financial capacity to restore the wharf to operational order and manage it in a safe manner such as TasPorts or MAST,” Mr Morris said.

“For example, TasPorts operates the Strahan wharf which, similar to Triabunna, is utilised predominantly by tourism and fishing operators.”

“The Mayor has rightly said that the Council’s current focus is on improving the water situation within the municipality and therefore do not have the funds to fix the wharf and are reliant on funding from the state government to enable the necessary repairs to be made.”

“The Triabunna wharf is important for maintaining employment in the fishing and tourism industries on the east coast and needs to be repaired or replaced as a matter of urgency, before these jobs are lost to the area.”

“Most other major wharves in Tasmania are operated by TasPorts, while most jetties and smaller facilities are operated by MAST and it is unusual for a council to have responsibility for such a facility when they have neither management expertise or the financial capacity to look after the wharf properly.”

“The State government must intervene and offer to redesignate the responsibility for the Triabunna wharf to either TasPorts or MAST as a matter of urgency, and reassure the local community that they will not lose this integral facility,” Mr Morris said.

The Tasmanian Greens today called for a ban on the herbicide Atrazine in Tasmania following the release of a new study from the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF), which revealed that "significant effects on human placental cells" occur after exposure to as little as 20 parts per billion (ppb) of Atrazine which is half the Australian Drinking Water Guideline limit of 40ppb Atrazine.[1]

The Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority (APVMA) recently reviewed Atrazine and found that it was safe for continued registration and use in Australia, however at the time the APVMA also stated that should "…new lines of research generate legitimate areas of concern, the APVMA will initiate a new review."[2]

Greens Shadow Forestry and Water Spokesperson Tim Morris MP said that the APVMA must re-review Atrazine given that this UCSF Study has completely contradicted the APVMA findings in such a significant manner, and following the revelation that senior UCSF study author Professor Holly Ingraham believes that Australia’s current Drinking Water Guideline of 40ppb Atrazine is "worrying".[3]

"This study from UCSF is the first to identify the full effects of Atrazine on human cells, so we must take note of its worrying findings regarding the feminisation of juveniles and the disruption of human placental cells, and ban Atrazine from Tasmania until it can be proven safe for use around humans," said Mr Morris.[4]

"Since 2001 there have been 246 instances of noxious chemicals detected in Tasmania’s waterways, the Lennon government has failed to publish 130 of these positive results, and Simazine and Atrazine which are both from the controversial Triazine family of herbicides made up 92 of the 130 unpublished test results."

"There are serious questions about whether the Lennon government is deliberately withholding its water testing results and this study from UCSF now confirms that Premier Lennon is risking the health of Tasmanians, and the future health of their children and grandchildren, by allowing Atrazine to be sprayed across Tasmania and then seemingly deliberately failing to publish the related water contamination findings."

"The UCSF study results are extremely troubling for those Tasmanians living anywhere near forestry plantations or private forestry activities, or drawing their drinking water from rural catchments, where Atrazine is still the herbicide of choice for private forestry operators, and where this disrupting herbicide still regularly shows up in drinking water contamination tests."

"While the Greens are aware that Forestry Tasmania has ceased using Atrazine, and that private forestry users are now the main users of this noxious chemical, Forestry Tasmania still uses Simazine which is from the same triazine family of chemicals as Atrazine and which we also believe to be harmful to human health," concluded Mr Morris.

________________________________________

For Further Information:

UCSF Study "The Herbicide Atrazine Activates Endocrine Gene Networks via Non-Steroidal NR5A Nuclear Receptors in Fish and Mammalian Cells" http://www.plosone.org/article/info%3Adoi%2F10.1371%2Fjournal.pone.0002117

UCSF News Report: “Common herbicide disrupts human hormone activity in cell studies” http://pub.ucsf.edu/newsservices/releases/200805064/

[1] The Australian, 15 May 2008, Matthew Denholm, "Alarm at weed-kill chemical in water"

[2] APVMA, 1 May 2008, "APVMA concludes its review of atrazine," http://www.apvma.gov.au/media/mr0802/shtml

[3] The Australian, 15 May 2008, Matthew Denholm, "Alarm at weed-kill chemical in water"

[4] UCSF News Service, Wallace Ravven, 6 May 2008, "Common herbicide disrupts human hormone activity in cell studies," http://pub.ucsf.edu/newsservices/releases/200805064/

The Tasmanian Greens today rejected the claim by the Minister for Crown Lands, Mr David Llewellyn that the proper processes are being followed in relation to a proposal for a commercial development on Crown Land foreshore at St Helens, saying that the site in question is already leased to the Council and therefore if that lease was to be foregone, it should revert back to the State.

Greens Member for Lyons, Tim Morris MP, said that a development proposal is being considered by the government whilst the crown land in question is, and has been, leased by the Break O’Day Council, and pointed out that if the Council does not wish to continue that lease then they should hand the lease back to the State government and then the government can give everyone an equal chance to apply to lease the land, not just one developer, which is why there are concerns in the local community that a secret deal is underway.

 “Mr Llewellyn has confirmed that a developer is in discussions with the government, seeking the green light to put a Development Application to the council, so perhaps he can also enlighten the community as to what the proposed development is and why no one else at this stage has the opportunity to put forward an alternative proposal, or to indicate that the present use is the most appropriate,” Mr Morris said.

“Mr Llewellyn must also answer the following question. How can a developer apply to lease a piece of Crown Land that is leased by someone else for public purposes without a decision having been made to discontinue that use and vacate the existing lease?”

 “It was not difficult to work out that a development is being contemplated, all that was required was a look back at the published Council agenda for last September where item 17.1 states ‘APPLICATION FOR CROWN LEASE ST HELENS FORESHORE JOHN HORTLE OF ECOAST HOMES PTY LTD (COMMERCIAL IN CONFIDENCE)’ and in the minutes of the October meeting under the Mayor’s communications ‘St Helens — Meeting with John Hortle, Proposed Georges Bay Foreshore’.”

“With the matter again coming to closed council this week, and concerned constituents contacting me it was apparent that serious discussions must have been continuing and that they must now be involving the state government, so it is now high time for Mr Llewellyn to stop trying to shoot the messenger, accept that this very unusual situation naturally is of concern to St Helens’ residents, and provide a full explanation,” Mr Morris said.

The Broadcasting Bill will significantly change the broadcasting landscape in Ireland. A detailed and comprehensive legislative proposal, the Bill seeks to deal with virtually all aspects of regulation and provision of broadcasting in Ireland. The Bill represents a consolidation of almost 50 years of Irish broadcasting legislation and repeals key Acts that date from 1960.

Commenting on the new legislation, Minister Ryan said, "This is a modernising Bill designed to meet the needs of Irish broadcasting as we enter a new era of media and regulation. In essence, the Bill aims to level the playing field of the broadcasting market in Ireland and place greater emphasis on the needs of viewers and listeners."

The Bill was approved by Government following a wide-ranging and informed debate, much of which was carried out through the e-Consultation process. It is the first such legislation to undergo such widespread consultation and rigorous scrutiny prior to its introduction. "Such scrutiny and consultation will hopefully facilitate the more timely passage of the Bill through the Houses of the Oireachtas," the Minister said.

The Bill provides for the establishment of a single content regulator, the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland, which will assume the roles currently held by the BCI and the BCC, as well as a range of new functions. These new functions primarily relate to the oversight of public service broadcasters.

The Bill also amends legislation regarding public service broadcasters and the allocation of public funding. It modernises and revises the legislation relating to RTÉ and TG4 and sets up the framework for two new public service broadcasters – an Irish Film Channel and Oireachtas channel.

The Bill introduces a number of proposals to protect the interests of viewers and listeners. This includes a ‘right of reply’ mechanism whereby individuals who feel their reputations have been damaged may have this corrected in a further broadcast. There is also provision for the establishment by RTÉ and TG4 of Audience Councils to represent the views of listeners and viewers.

The Bill proposes some new approaches in relation to codes and rules for broadcasting in Ireland, in particular relating to food advertising aimed at children. "This is something which I have long advocated and is a welcome development," said the Minister. Other pertinent proposals relate to the modernisation of radio licences including the option of ‘fast-tracked’ applications, licence enforcement, legal definitions regarding TV licence and contract awards.

A number of appointments to the boards of the new Authority, RTÉ and TG4 will be made following the recommendation of the Joint Oireachtas Committee dealing with broadcasting matters. "I am pleased", the to grant to my parliamentary colleagues from all sides the responsibility of appointments to such important boards. This marks a new departure in the power and roles of the legislature and the executive in Ireland."

Minister Ryan concluded: "My key focus was to ensure the broadcasting sector delivers on the needs and wants of the viewer and listener. For this to occur we need an appropriate and fair regulatory structure, which mandates the Authority to work with everyone in the sector to achieve this. I am confident this Bill represents a balanced, innovative and modernising approach to broadcasting in Ireland and that it will serve our needs for many years to come."

The Tasmanian Greens today are critical that the Rudd government has dropped the ball on climate change in their first Budget, saying that this now puts the onus on the Lennon government to deliver serious change in this area in line with the Premier’s claim to have seen the light on this most important challenge to our future.

Greens Opposition Leader and Shadow Treasury spokesperson Peg Putt MP said that funding of a PET scanner for the RHH is welcome after Greens Senator Christine Milne exposed funding problems and created momentum for this vital equipment, but were critical that pensioners and people with disabilities were still missing out.

The Greens also want to know why the forest industry is being showered with yet more public funds, reportedly $20 million, of which $8 million turns out to be for climate change adjustment, querying that this is any more than continued public subsidy to an industry that is yet to admit that logging native forests contributes to climate change.

“In this time of rapidly approaching climate emergency the Rudd government have failed to rethink Budget priorities to combat this serious challenge in a meaningful and timely way, this is not just a disappointment but is seriously worrying because it means it will be even longer before major change away from a carbon based economy takes place,” Ms Putt said.

“It beggars belief that investment in major new renewable energy generation missed out whilst unproven clean coal technology that other countries are bailing out of got the dollars, clearly the coal industry is being allowed to dictate the Rudd government’s course of action.”

“In Tasmania the impact of means testing subsidies for solar photo voltaics which will put off the very people who could actually have afforded to invest will be compounded by the utter lack of state-based subsidies, making a Lennon government Budget initiative on solar subsidies imperative.”

“Because Rudd has dropped the ball so badly on climate change the onus is now on the Lennon government to invest in energy efficiency, subsidies for renewable energy including household installation, rail not road, and more public transport, yet Treasurer Michael Aird is indicating that he thinks Rudd delivered a good Labor Budget and this does not auger well for getting the prompt targeted action we need to tackle climate change.”

“We don’t understand why the forest industry is being showered with more cash, allegedly to assist them on climate change when they won’t even admit that current native forest logging and burning regimes contribute massively to the problem, we fear it would be too much to hope that this will be to secure forests into the future for carbon capture as an alternative to logging.”

“What is this money to be spent on, or is it just another pretext for continued public subsidy, given that the detail reveals that only $8 million of the $20 million is for climate change research.”

“There are things to be grateful for such as the PET scanner at the RHH which will be a real boon to cancer patients and has been a personal campaign of Greens Senator Christine Milne.”

“Similarly, abolishing the controversial refugee Temporary Protection Visa Scheme is a welcome breakthrough, and one that the Greens have long advocated.”

“It seems that genuine battlers, pensioners and people with disabilities, have missed out on what they really needed,” Ms Putt concluded.

The rezoning will enable development of yet another shopping mall against the wishes of the County Manager and An Board Pleanála.

Branding the decision as "speculative, developer-led rezoning" Cllr McDermott said: "This decision defies logic. The last thing the Saggart / Citywest area needs is more shops. The Citywest Shopping Centre was opened only last September and has plenty of vacant retail space. Saggart Village also has thousands of square feet of retail space available. This variation of the County Development Plan is uncalled for and not good for the area."

There was not a single submission supporting the rezoning during the public consultation. The applicant has not provided any research showing a need for another retail outlet. This decision puts at risk the viability and vitality of existing shopkeepers in Saggart.

"I can see no justification for the decision of my fellow Councillors to speculatively rezone Green Belt land to satisfy the whims of a developer," concluded Cllr McDermott.

13 councillors voted for the variation, 7 against and three were absent. The three Fine Gael councillors who were present declined to vote.

The report considered a number of key sectors including agriculture, forestry, infastructure development, human health and climate change. By drawing a comparison between the value of ecosystem services provided by biodiversity and the cost of implementing biodiversity protection policies, the authors established a marginal value of biodiversity to Ireland of at least €2.6 billion per annum.

The report has estimated that the value of the humble earthworm to Ireland to be in the region of €700 million per annum for the services it provides in removing dead matter and releasing nutrients back to the soil. Dr Bullock emphasised that the value of €2.6 billion suggested by the report was a conservative estimate and that the true value was likely to be much higher if you considered other areas such as the benefits to human health.

Minister Gormley welcomed the publication of the report saying: "Most of us recognise the need to protect our native wildlife for its intrinsic value and as something to be preserved for future generations. However, this report presents a compelling case to strengthen policies for the protection of biodiversity for economic reasons and highlights far reaching social, as well as financial benefits, for our society.

"In recent years, many of Ireland's species and habitats have been endangered by increased development and inadequate policies across a range of economic sectors. Our biodiversity now faces increased threats from climate change and other threats such as the introduction of non-native invasive species. We must develop and implement appropriate policies to meet this challenge."

The Minister added that the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government would be preparing a revised Biodiversity Strategy for Ireland during 2008 and this new report highlights the need for a strong engagement from both the public and private sectors.

Minister Gormley said: "The decision showed real leadership and will prove a major boost to efforts to raise awareness of the most urgent problem facing humanity.

"The GAA is a major force in every parish in the country. Their vision and leadership back in the recession of the 1980s delivered what is now one of the best stadiums in Europe and the envy of all other codes.

"Now they are taking practical steps to show further vision and leadership in the modern Ireland. I have no doubt the benefits of this latest GAA initiative will be reaped in the coming years."

Minister Gormley, who is responsible for government climate change policy, said he was pleased that the ESB is to take an active role in the project, having already outlined a strategy to make itself one of the greenest and environmentally friendly energy utilities in the EU over the coming decade.

The Minister also welcomed the GAA's move to set up a website to take in suggestions from fans and Croke Park patrons. He said this would harness people's goodwill in a very practical way.