The Heritage Bill: A tissue of internal contradictions and absurdities, it’s hard to discuss
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| Environmental bodies from all over Ireland Protest outside Dail Eireann earlier this year against the Heritage Bill. |
On the 5th of December 2017, the President of the United State, Donald Trump, announced the removal of large swathes of land in Utah, 2 million hectares, under government jurisdiction from conservation status.
President Trump has always made clear his attitude towards nature. Environmental destruction for business gain.
Therefore much was made in the media both here and around the world of his announcement. Yet on the same day this statement was made, the Irish Government was putting the finishing touches to a Bill that would remove conservation status to an area much larger than that proclaimed by President Trump. That area being, the Republic of Ireland.
Having already passed in the Dail, the death knell of Irelands eco-system, perversely called the Heritage Bill was being ‘debated’ in the Oireachtas. I use the term, ‘debated,’ lightly, as there is not much to debate on what the outcome of this Bill represents for Irelands nature. Simply put, certain extinction for some of our most endangered species of birds, bees and an array of other animals.
To take one example, our Yellowhammer population, which is declining at an alarming rate, was the bird of the year for our Meath branch in 2017. Adding to research already conducted by Birdwatch Ireland, the late nesters survey this year, shows that this species of bird nests late into September.
When we should be talking about extending the dates for prohibiting hedge cutting until late September, to allow this red-listed bird a fighting chance, the Heritage Bill is looking for hedge cutting to be allowed earlier in the year, August!
It was with interest then, that I listened into the Oireachtas hearing on what reasons those in favour had to say in defence of this Bill.
The array of reasons put forward jumped from one ludicrous statement to the next. With some of the most extraordinary claims being made.
The Irish Cattle & Sheep Farmers Association* opened proceedings. Climate change, the biggest threat to all life on earth, was cited by the ICSFA as a reason to cut hedges in August and extend the burning of scrub into March. The milder wetter weather making the job more difficult under the current restrictions. Now the science was out of the way the real issues could be dealt with.
Birdwatch Irelands credibility on environmental issues and lack of concern for farmer’s livelihoods was reason alone for supporting the Heritage Bill argued Michael Collins TD* for South-West Cork. Not only that, they simply didn’t get rural Ireland. They were not living in the real world. Mr Collins continued. Didn’t they know the rental car industry in Ireland was under attack by hedges? Broken wing mirrors, scrapped cars and lost deposits were damaging the industry.
President Trump has always made clear his attitude towards nature. Environmental destruction for business gain.
Therefore much was made in the media both here and around the world of his announcement. Yet on the same day this statement was made, the Irish Government was putting the finishing touches to a Bill that would remove conservation status to an area much larger than that proclaimed by President Trump. That area being, the Republic of Ireland.
Having already passed in the Dail, the death knell of Irelands eco-system, perversely called the Heritage Bill was being ‘debated’ in the Oireachtas. I use the term, ‘debated,’ lightly, as there is not much to debate on what the outcome of this Bill represents for Irelands nature. Simply put, certain extinction for some of our most endangered species of birds, bees and an array of other animals.
To take one example, our Yellowhammer population, which is declining at an alarming rate, was the bird of the year for our Meath branch in 2017. Adding to research already conducted by Birdwatch Ireland, the late nesters survey this year, shows that this species of bird nests late into September.
When we should be talking about extending the dates for prohibiting hedge cutting until late September, to allow this red-listed bird a fighting chance, the Heritage Bill is looking for hedge cutting to be allowed earlier in the year, August!
It was with interest then, that I listened into the Oireachtas hearing on what reasons those in favour had to say in defence of this Bill.
The array of reasons put forward jumped from one ludicrous statement to the next. With some of the most extraordinary claims being made.
The Irish Cattle & Sheep Farmers Association* opened proceedings. Climate change, the biggest threat to all life on earth, was cited by the ICSFA as a reason to cut hedges in August and extend the burning of scrub into March. The milder wetter weather making the job more difficult under the current restrictions. Now the science was out of the way the real issues could be dealt with.
Birdwatch Irelands credibility on environmental issues and lack of concern for farmer’s livelihoods was reason alone for supporting the Heritage Bill argued Michael Collins TD* for South-West Cork. Not only that, they simply didn’t get rural Ireland. They were not living in the real world. Mr Collins continued. Didn’t they know the rental car industry in Ireland was under attack by hedges? Broken wing mirrors, scrapped cars and lost deposits were damaging the industry.
Neighbours were getting lost in a sea of un-cut hedges. Holiday makers were crying out in dismay, ‘What the hell lads, your roads are closed!’
Disappointingly, Éamon Ó Cuív FF TD* for Galway West & Opposition Spokesperson for Regional Development, Rural Affairs and the Gaeltacht who appeared to be against the Bill tried to give some credibility to these statements by asking Birdwatch Ireland, ‘was natures so stupid as to keep on reproducing on roadside hedges? Could they not nest elsewhere!?’
Danny Healy Rae Independent TD* for Kerry was up next. Raising his hands he launched into his tirade. 'Kill the vermin that are killing ground nesting birds and that will solve the problem! Let farmers cut hedges all year around and then they will help you with the birds and the bees!'
Things were quickly moving off topic.
But that was the tactic. So weak were the arguments that those in favour of the bill filled up the time allocated to each to ensure both Birdwatch Ireland and the Hedge Laying Association of Ireland had limited time to respond. When they could respond, they were continuously interrupted by some TDs with inaudible objections against the data and research being used.
Some of the above mentioned parties tried to argue road safety as reason to support the Bill. But this too fell flat as there is existing legislation for such concerns. Which appeared to satisfy the Road Safety Authority to a such an extent that they didnt bother to turn up to the meeting! Then again neither did any representatives from the car rental industry.
As the circus came to an end I found myself shocked and frustrated with the utter ignorance on display by those pushing for this bill. They spoke as if they spoke for all farmers, suggesting that that they are eager to see this bill over the line. However, I have it on good authority that some of the most vocal opponents of this bill are farmers!
Neither party for or against this bill could claim complete ownership over the voice of the entire farming community. But this community is integral our existing eco-system and their actions have massive effects on what environment we will have for future generations. So, their support in opposing this bill is of significant importance.
There are some powerful bodies pushing for this Bill and appear to be winning to a point that those in favour of the Heritage Bill were not even bothered to back up any of the above-mentioned comments with facts or figures. Confident that this Bill is already over the line.
The only good outcome of the Oireachtas hearing was now we have it on record. When Irelands environment was on its knees, when the Curlew was on the edge of extinction, and Yellowhammers were calling out for help. When all our red-listed birds were being crushed by the weight of climate change and ignorance. Ireland chose to follow Trump down the garden of destruction.
However, even he might find the scale of land the Heritage Bill would release to such vested interests, hard to believe. Back in Utah when asked by a reporter if he fully understood the scale of land involved, made the following comment "I understood how big it is - I'm a real estate developer. When they start talking about millions of acres, I say, 'say it again? That's a lot.'
- Paul Gallagher -
*Comments are summaried versions of their statements. Where inverted commas apply these were actual quotes.
Disappointingly, Éamon Ó Cuív FF TD* for Galway West & Opposition Spokesperson for Regional Development, Rural Affairs and the Gaeltacht who appeared to be against the Bill tried to give some credibility to these statements by asking Birdwatch Ireland, ‘was natures so stupid as to keep on reproducing on roadside hedges? Could they not nest elsewhere!?’
Danny Healy Rae Independent TD* for Kerry was up next. Raising his hands he launched into his tirade. 'Kill the vermin that are killing ground nesting birds and that will solve the problem! Let farmers cut hedges all year around and then they will help you with the birds and the bees!'
Things were quickly moving off topic.
But that was the tactic. So weak were the arguments that those in favour of the bill filled up the time allocated to each to ensure both Birdwatch Ireland and the Hedge Laying Association of Ireland had limited time to respond. When they could respond, they were continuously interrupted by some TDs with inaudible objections against the data and research being used.
Some of the above mentioned parties tried to argue road safety as reason to support the Bill. But this too fell flat as there is existing legislation for such concerns. Which appeared to satisfy the Road Safety Authority to a such an extent that they didnt bother to turn up to the meeting! Then again neither did any representatives from the car rental industry.
As the circus came to an end I found myself shocked and frustrated with the utter ignorance on display by those pushing for this bill. They spoke as if they spoke for all farmers, suggesting that that they are eager to see this bill over the line. However, I have it on good authority that some of the most vocal opponents of this bill are farmers!
Neither party for or against this bill could claim complete ownership over the voice of the entire farming community. But this community is integral our existing eco-system and their actions have massive effects on what environment we will have for future generations. So, their support in opposing this bill is of significant importance.
There are some powerful bodies pushing for this Bill and appear to be winning to a point that those in favour of the Heritage Bill were not even bothered to back up any of the above-mentioned comments with facts or figures. Confident that this Bill is already over the line.
The only good outcome of the Oireachtas hearing was now we have it on record. When Irelands environment was on its knees, when the Curlew was on the edge of extinction, and Yellowhammers were calling out for help. When all our red-listed birds were being crushed by the weight of climate change and ignorance. Ireland chose to follow Trump down the garden of destruction.
However, even he might find the scale of land the Heritage Bill would release to such vested interests, hard to believe. Back in Utah when asked by a reporter if he fully understood the scale of land involved, made the following comment "I understood how big it is - I'm a real estate developer. When they start talking about millions of acres, I say, 'say it again? That's a lot.'
- Paul Gallagher -
*Comments are summaried versions of their statements. Where inverted commas apply these were actual quotes.
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