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New plan for 2012-2016 and the Kilkenny Central Access Scheme

Happy New Year to all our members and followers,

Launch of the new Strategic Plan on 11 Dec 2011

The launch of the new strategic plan took place on 11 Dec 2011

Some of you might be aware of the new strategic plan starting right now for 2012.

Here’s the link to the new Green Party Strategic Plan 2012-16 if you haven’t had a chance to read it yet.

For more local news, Cllr. Malcolm Noonan  released this statement in December: Central Access Scheme in Kilkenny will destroy the City’s Medieval Core

Dept of Environment should clarify position on Plastic Bag Levy

On the launch of the strageic plan for the Green Party last Sunday, new spokespersons were assigned for different policy areas. Congratulations to local Carlow Kilkenny members Cllr Malcolm Noonan on speaking on our behalf on Environment, Community and Local Government and to Rian Coulter for his new role as spokesperson for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht.

First press release from Malcolm Noonan below

Following the ruling of Justice John Hedigan in the High Court today in relation to Dunnes Stores challenging the interpretation of the Plastic Bag Levy, Green Party Environment Spokesperson, Cllr Malcolm Noonan has called on the Minister for the Environment and his Department to clarify the position on the levy as it would appear that there is widespread flouting of the legislation in shops and supermarkets around the country. The Green Party contends that this potentially represents significant uncollected revenue for the Environment Fund, the fund established for Community Waste Reduction and Agenda 21 initiatives. 

 
Dunnes challenged ambiguity within the regulations in order to attempt to avoid paying €36.5m in charges due to Revenue and ultimately the Environment Fund. Cllr Noonan said that the ruling by Justice Hedigan could have widespread implications for the retailing sector and that a possible solution could lie in amendments to the legislation that would not see the levy imposed on non point of sale bags that were biodegradable. 
 
‘While welcoming any judgement that leads to a reduction of plastics and toxins in the environment, I do think that clarification is required and that the legislation was heralded worldwide as a progressive and an unusually popular tax, to the point that other Countries are replicating it. However if the industry were to begin to design out plastic at least for non point of sale use, then we would further progress this legislation to reflect the High Court ruling’ he said. 
 
‘There are many vegetable and plant based alternatives to oil based plastics and many of them perform just as well, only that they are biodegradable and can be inserted directly into organic ‘Brown Bin’ kerbside collections when the service is rolled out nationwide. What is required now is a life-cycle approach to waste and in particular packaging waste and the Minister has an opportunity to do this under current reviews of National Waste Legislation, it can only be of benefit to both consumers and the environment’ concluded Cllr Noonan.
 
Cllr Malcolm Noonan
 
Green Party Spokesperson
 
Environment, Community and Local Government
 
086 839 9418
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