The article discusses strong opposition from academics, conservationists, and environmentalists to Mr. Healy-Rae's peatland planting proposal. Green Party leader Roderic O'Gorman challenged the Government, warning that such planting would undermine years of habitat restoration and violate EU law. He cited expert opinion deeming the plan impractical and ecologically harmful, questioning the Government's commitment to science-based policies. Various politicians are urging clarification from Ministers on the policy's direction as Ireland seeks to increase forest cover for environmental benefits, emphasizing the ecological risks involved with peatland initiatives.
"Just to be crystal clear, a policy of planting on peatlands that we have spent years trying to restore, trying to preserve, this policy would be environmental madness."
"Is it the policy of the new Government to ignore science, to abandon our legal obligations and to destroy some of our best chances to capture carbon while preserving unique habitats?"
Collection
[
|
...
]