by badminme | Jun 23, 2021 | Members News, PPN News
‘Our Rural Future’ Rural development policy and work programme
As requested by PPN’s over the last couple of weeks, the Department of Rural & Community Development in conjunction with in the Rural Strategy and Social Inclusion Unit, hosted a Webinar specifically for PPN’s on the recently launched “Our Rural Future – Rural Development Policy 2021 – 2025” by Minister Humphreys and the Government. It was attended by the Minister of State, Joe O’Brien, T.D. who answered questions on the policy. Gareth Makim of the rural strategy unit made the following presentation: Our Rural Future – PPN
Links to documents discussed:
‘Our Rural Future’ Rural Development Policy 2021-2025
‘Our Rural Future’ 2021 Work Programme
For queries on the policy you may contact the Rural Strategy Unit at ruralstrategy@drcd.gov.ie
by badminme | Jun 22, 2021 | Current, Members News, PPN News
Motion calling for global fracking ban passed unanimously by Clare County Council
Clare County Council has unanimously passed a motion calling on the Irish Government to propose a global ban on fracking at the United Nations General Assembly “on climate-mitigation, public-health, environmental-protection and human-rights grounds”.
The historic motion, part of a global initiative calling for a UN resolution to ban fracking, was proposed by Cllrs Pat Hayes, Cillian Murphy and Tony O’Brien at the Council meeting on Monday, June 21st.
Proposing the motion, Cllr Pat Hayes (FG) pointed out that Clare was the first local authority in Ireland to ban fracking, in 2012, which led to a national ban in 2017. He praised the “wonderful organisations here in Clare who have supported this ban, including Futureproof Clare, Fridays for Future Clare and Clare PPN,” and said the environment was the most important issue for the Council to have on its agenda.
Cllr Cillian Murphy (FF) said: “The longer fracking takes place, the greater the body of evidence that these activities are dangerous and include detrimental impacts on water, air, climate stability, public health, farming and human rights… We do not tolerate fracking here in Ireland. So it is only right and proper that Ireland introduce and lead co-sponsorship of a UN resolution to propose a global ban on fracking. To do otherwise would be entirely and utterly hypocritical.”
Susan Crawford (Green Party) said the Irish Centre for Human Rights has stated that fracking “impacts several rights, including the right to life, health, water, food, country … and the right to safe, clean and healthy environment.”
In April the Irish Centre for Human Rights and a group of Irish NGOs wrote to the Irish Government, arguing that Ireland was uniquely well-positioned to lead this effort. As well as being a member of the UN Security Council, Ireland became one of the first countries in the world to ban fracking in 2017, and in 2018 it became the first country in the world to introduce legislation to divest public funds from fossil fuels.
At Clare PPN’s last plenary meeting on May 11th, it was unanimously agreed that Clare PPN supported the call for a global ban on fracking at the UN.
The campaign for the Irish Government to bring this proposal to the UN is the subject of an international petition, to which all community groups and individuals can add their names. You can read all about the petition and sign it, at this link:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfGfUdrM6ZnDdXBip2ilCUwBA2uwnIFz_VV1N9CHYX13xMWTA/viewform
by badminme | Jun 17, 2021 | Current, Members News, PPN News
Clare’s coming out! – webinar for LGBTQ+ people, their families & friends in Clare
Information event on July 7th to feature Mayo GAA star Fiona McHale and speakers from LGBTQ+ support organisations
An event to mark Pride Month in Clare will offer help to communities and organisations on how they can best support the inclusion of LGBTQ+ people. The webinar, on July 7th, will be of interest to LGBTQ+ people living in Clare, their families and friends and anyone who wants to support them.
The information event, hosted by Quare Clare and Clare Sports Partnership, will feature Mayo All-Star footballer Fiona McHale, who is a member of the LGBTQ+ community. Fiona is also a PhD researcher in Physical activity & Health at the University of Limerick.
Representatives of Belong To, GOSHH and LINC, three of the support and community organisations available to LGBTQ+ people and their families in Ireland, will also speak at the webinar.
The webinar will take place from 7:30pm on Wednesday, July 7th, and you can register to take part at this Eventbrite link:
https://clare-coming-out.eventbrite.ie
Bernie O’Gorman of Quare Clare said:
“An online survey we conducted in March highlighted an urgent need for supports and services for the LGBTQ+ community Clare. 80% of people who responded said they would like more connection with other LGBTQ+ people in the county.
“Over half of all respondents did not feel sufficiently connected and supported in their community, and it was clear from written responses that there is a big demand for a social outlet or LGBTQ+ group in Clare.”
Belong To is a national organisation that supports lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans young people in Ireland.
https://www.belongto.org/
GOSHH! (Gender, Orientation, Sexual Health and HIV) is based in Limerick but also works to support LGBTQ+ people in Clare.
https://goshh.ie/
LINC is based in Cork and advocates for Lesbian and Bisexual Women in Ireland.
https://www.linc.ie/about/
Quare Clare is a new group that has held online meetings and in May ran a very successful ‘Quare Quiz’ social event. Anyone from the LGBTQ+ community in Clare who would like to get involved in Quare Clare can email lgbtq.clare@gmail.com to find out more.
Quare Clare was established as the result of a short-term project run jointly by Clare Public Participation Network, Clare Women’s Network, Clare Local Development Company and Rape Crisis Midwest, and supported by The Department of Rural and Community Development and Clare County Council. For this Pride Month event, they are delighted to be joined by Clare Sports Partnership, who are also keen to publicly demonstrate their commitment to LGBTQ+ inclusivity.
by badminme | Jun 14, 2021 | Members News, PPN News
A new round of funding is now available for 2021. Funding is available under two categories;
- Grants for small scale capital projects. Maximum €1,000. This category is open to Men’s’ and Women’s Sheds, Community and Voluntary Groups and Sports Clubs.
- Grants for larger scale capital projects. Maximum €10,000.This category is open to Playgrounds and Community Centres
The closing date for applications is Thursday 15th July 2021
For more information go to: https://www.clarecoco.ie/services/community/grants/community-enhancement-programme/
by badminme | Jun 14, 2021 | Members News, PPN News, SPC for Economic Development
Report from Emma Karran on Economic Development SPC on 8th June 2021
1) SRA on EU Funding Opps
Johnny expressed concern that Clare is always ‘firefighting’ PJ Kelly asked for confirmation that 90% of expenditure goes to L’k, Cork and Waterford (this was not contested). PJ Ryan asked how to promote Shannon Airport. Johnny raised point about an EU Hub now Heathrow out of the picture. Liam responded re this last point that this is “the start of a conversation”
2) Planning
(i) CDP review update
Helen Q gave a break down of submissions (I think you might have these already?) (renewable energy at the top at 34%). She spoke about the various volumes that would be drafted. Draft will be ready by the start of August, followed by 10 weeks of public consultation events. Johnny expressed concern about retail strategy (vulnerability of N and W Clare local retail due to development around L’k – esp after Covid and Brexit). PJ Ryan asked about the land zoning time frame. I asked about how submissions are weighted. Patrick Keogh asked about housing strategy and water infrastructure. Michael Begley asked if there would be more detailed flood risk maps. Helen replied that the flood maps are informed by the OPW and she hoped they would reflect what happens on the ground.
This seems a very salient point, given Ennis could well be largely under water in less than ten years! Has anyone taken in the urgency and implications of this yet???
(ii) LECP Guidelines (Liam)
He reflected on whether there would be an annual or biannual review in the new action plan. He spoke of the need to make sure climate action was overarching in the LECP process – and impact of climate action bill Johnny asked if the next (2022) census would be accommodated? Liam replied that next LECP update will follow the census, but can’t be immediately (need to have time lapse of a year? after census)
4) Climate Change and Biodiversity (Liam)
Liam spoke about the Intergovernmental Action Plan 2021: esp the role of enterprise in carbon emissions and the focus is on reducing the latter I made my point buttering their bread about how Clare could be in the forefront – and supporting what Liam had just said (as I mentioned in yesterday’s email). Liam then said an academic study was needed on the economic vulnerability of Clare to sea level rise. We can feed into OPW info re flood levels rising. He said work was being done on Clare’s part in creating jobs in a reduced carbon economy. There would be a presentation at CARO level before the end of the year
by badminme | May 26, 2021 | Members News, PPN News
The Clare Leader Forum is a Disabled People’s organisation working to achieve human rights for people living with disabilities in Clare. They have devised two surveys with Clare Public Participation Network and are inviting the 15,000 people living with a disability in the County to take part in this important research.
The first survey is on sports, leisure, tourism and amenity access and will be used to inform policy, submissions and advocacy.
https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/8DPGL62
The second survey examines what life is like in Clare for people with disabilities and how they engage in advocacy and activism. It will form part of an important and exciting Book: ‘Nothing About Us Without Us’ which is due for release in December 2021
https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/JYYFY2R
Your Voice Matters! Our Voices Together Matter!
Please note: Answers to these surveys are anonymous and participants will not be identified in any way.
