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GREEN PARTY LEADER Eamon Ryan has slammed Alan Kelly, describing him as an “anti-green” Minister for the Environment.
The former communications minister slammed Kelly over the recently-published Climate Action and Low Carbon Development Bill, which has been criticised by environmental groups for lacking specific targets on emissions reductions. The bill is due to be debated in the Dáil on Wednesday.
In a wide-ranging interview with TheJournal.ie today, Ryan became visibly angry at the very mention of Kelly’s name…
…and he didn’t hold back in his criticism of the minister…
Video: Michelle Hennessy/TheJournal.ie
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Too late to be out-spoken, when the Greens were in power they were like mice. Give it up.
I agree,still I liked his interview
On some issues (e.g. Shannon, Corrib), yes. And IMHO the party deserved what it got for not pulling the plug on that Dáil when the Government formed out of it had clearly lost its mandate (Fianna Fáil in particular). Every day after that (from circa. mid. 2009 onwards), the public response only became more resolved in how it would exact revenge. The party was decimated for that IMO.
That aside, however, the record isn’t as bad as is made out. For example:
On the big issue (the crisis), the Greens made the same idiotic mistake as (nearly) everyone else on the bank guarantee – but were the drivers of the few good decision too (e.g. NAMA, the Nyberg report).
On policy matters, the record is pretty respectable for a very small party in a three-way minority government (e.g. planning reform, same-sex unions, renewable energy, reform of motor and fuel tax). Even if you don’t agree with these things, these were significant developments and the party’s policies.
On ethics in government, can you imagine Labour today insisting that an FG minister resign like the Greens did over Willie O’Dea? And can you imagine a Labour minister falling on his sword like Trevor Sargent did over a relatively trivial matter – but one that was significant in principle?
On policies issues carried over to the current government, the Green approach to metering water, for example, was the very opposite of Irish Water. The Greens blocked a motion establishing a single privitisable utility (i.e. Irish Water) in the dying days of that Dáil in early 2011. Similarly with the property tax, which Eamon mentions in the video. And, while austerity began with the Greens in government, budgets were more progressive under the Green watch (i.e. the balance of austerity was paid by the rich, not the poor).
The Green Party is held to a high standard (and rightly so). And I think it was rightly decimated in 2011. But not for its record in government in the usual sense. In the usual sense, it did very well. That’s not the same as getting everything it would want – or everything that its supporters would want.
But viewed with a little more distance now – and with the party having been rightly brought to the brink for holding that Government in place and taught that lesson – I think we can look back and say that those are still policies we want and the kind of people we want (not exclusively, of course, there are good people and good ideas in other parties and independents too).
Send the cameras round and watch me get REALLY angry about Eamon Ryan.
One man, who lacks credibility and veracity , speaking of another, who is totally devoid of any , whatsoever !!!
He’s a pathetic weasel
I know its not like the Greens had a majority in the last government but it seems like its all bark and no bite with Ryan.
For once I am on your Side Eamon Ryan… Kelly thinks he is God.. How do the people of Tipp back him
He lied.
I’m starting to lose respect for the Journal. Your journalists are starting to exude an immature approach. You invite Ryan over for an interview fair enough. But to then stab him in the back with the top image is childish. Really bottom barrel stuff. I was furious with Ryan re his involvement in the last government but I agree 100% with his views here.. this government are appalling on our environment across the board. Whether we like it or not we do need to think green in the 21 century. Parochial politics and short term profiteering must end.
Did Ryan and the Greens not get their answer in the last Election. What type of An Idiot is he. A complete Bollicks I would say
He is counting on my view that people have short memories here but that is my view lol.
such a deep knowledge of the reality of politics; globally. paries rise and fall according to circumstances dear boy.
Eamon Ryan makes me want to burn more coal,drive a 2 ltr car,water the garden and buy stuff from the Unfair Trade shop.
Pretty ridiculous and misleading headline in fairness. He does not get REALLY angry.
Great idea for thejournal to do more original content, but to spin it and essentially waste the content of an interview is not good journalism IMHO.
Provide us with the content to make our own minds up, and discuss issues- but please don’t turn into another Sindo and treat us like idiots.
Well said
Ryan complaining about planning laws – what a joke ! He bypassed completely all the EU and Irish legal and compliance mechanisms for NREAP.
He signed us up for a € 20 billion bill just to enrich wind scammers
http://irishenergyblog.blogspot.ie/2015/02/20-billion-committed-under-irelands.html
Most people can just about afford to live as things are now……can you imagine the kinds of levies the greens would impose?
Have you considered that imagining things and then getting angry about them is probably not a reasonable way to behave?
but that would involve thinking! read a bit and you wont talk such nonsense. Green policies balance levies with an enhanced Green economy.
The Greens are “has beens”!
Ryan does have something in common with Kelly……….I can’t stand either of them.
Al Ca am sure they won’t lose any sleep over that
actually that’s something you have in common with yourself, not them!
Any elected public representative who has time to be giving interviews to the journal,
really is a waste of a vote…..
He is not a TD, he lost his seat in the lat general election.
Climate change needs to be tackled now so future generations don’t have to live with the consequences of our apathy and short-sightedness, whether or not you like the messenger. The countries that make the change now and have a bit of vision will reap the innovation benefits (Scandinavia is well ahead of us already). Does Ireland always have to be ‘Paddy’ last in human advancement?
Being Paddy last is a very wise thing when in uncharted waters. There is absolutely no scientific bases for the man made climate change theory and there was no warming for the past 18 years. There is evidence of global cooling. Even if climate were a problem, none of the measures taken in some countries to deal with it have had any effect, Scandinavia is mentioned, Denmark built more wind farms than any other country and it made no difference. They are a very large exporter of oil and they import as much coal now as they did no 1990. Green policies are an attempt to replace science with baloney with an unsuspecting public. Ryan craves political power and he must be stopped. This is best done by calling his bluff.
Err, you might to run that one by the scientists, the overwhelming majority agree that climate change is happening and is caused by human activities. Its going to take more than Denmark building wind farms to make a difference. And the usual rubbish on here about the Greens in power last time round. The Journal used to have some rational debate on it, now its like a primary schoolyard, where most of the kids have had a 2 litre Coke for breakfast.
Did you imagine that the wind turbines would have an immediate and local cooling effect for Denmark? Good Lord, even the most basic grasp of the concept of climate would prevent a person from saying something so ridiculous.
Ah Val – where are you getting your info? There’s a multi-trillion dollar fossil fuel industry out there trying to confuse you, so I don’t blame you for getting your facts wrong, but try and look for some credible sources – ie not blogs or twitter! Nasa put a man on the moon – they’re a good place to start: http://climate.nasa.gov/
There’s not a single national or international scientific institution that doesn’t endorse the concept of manmade climate change. It’s 150 years since Carlow man Tyndall publicly demonstrated the greenhouse effect – a month before Darwin pubished his theory of evolution. It’s about time we moved on from that sort of debate to actual solutions?
Likewise there is a multi-trillion industry out there which employs scientists, pays research grants, funds think-tanks, pays lobbyists etc. You can be as flippant as you want but first bring me an informed Turkey which thinks voting for Christmas is a good idea. Of course climate change is happening. That’s just the way the planet rocks. Sometimes it’s too hot. Sometimes it’s too cold (ask a wooly mammoth). To think that in the grand scheme of things (think billions of years) a tribe of recently-arrived (few 10′s of thousands of years. 2015 if you’re a born-again christian) ants can have the dramatic effect you talk about demonstrates absolutely nothing except your own conceit.
Sorry Scott – your facts are a bit off. The total amount the entire planet spent on research and development, including all Medical, Genetic, Biological, Technology, automotive, oil and gas, chemical, aeronautical, etc was just over 1 trillion dollars.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_countries_by_research_and_development_spending
Climate Change and renewable research isn’t even a dot in that mix.
In contrast, the revenues of just the top 50 oil and gas companies for one year was in excess of 6 billion. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_largest_oil_and_gas_companies_by_revenue
Surely you’re not telling me that oil and gas companies aren’t capable of dirty tricks campaigns?
Or do you also think that smoking is good for you and that asbestos can be used as talc like Christopher Booker, one of the loudest voices claiming what you’re claiming?
drink the kool-aid and accept the consensus which is based on a crock of crap
2014 was NOT the hottest year on record
http://irishenergyblog.blogspot.ie/2015/02/2014-was-not-hottest-year-on-record-in.html
the climate is changing because of natural processes that have been going on for thousands of years -even the IPCC accept that.
The fossil fuel industry love wind scammers like Ryan and the above because it leads to more fossil fuel waste
http://irishenergyblog.blogspot.ie/2015/01/wind-energy-wasteful-use-of-resources.html
windmills dont reduce CO2 emissions anyway :
http://irishenergyblog.blogspot.ie/2014/11/no-co2-emissions-savings-since-2011.html
“Kool Aid”?? – never heard an Irish person use that expression before – what does it even mean – what sort of US blogs have you been reading!
Those reading these comments have a choice – take the word of some random blogger, or take the word of the Royal Irish Academy, our national institution for scientific excellence. https://www.ria.ie/news/downlaod-latest-climate-change-statement.aspx
Or the Royal Society, the world’s oldest scientific institute: https://royalsociety.org/policy/climate-change/
Or every single national and international representative bodies of science?
Can we get past the garbage and get to discussing actual solutions?
its typical of the modern generation, drink the kool-aid, dont dare check the figures yourself. Pathetic. How dare you call Valentia Observatory temp data “garbage” – have you checked the Irish temp data yourself ?? If not, then stay out of the debate.
Now, lets accept for arguments sake that there is ” man made climate change” as opposed to “climate change”.
Now, what do you propose ? closing down aerports , taking cars off the road, closing down power stations, stop people turning on their heating and lighting fires in their homes ?
Please do let us know, enquiring minds want to know. Thanks.
Does this incompetent gent not get the message? YOU ARE OF NO IMPORTANCE PLEASE GO AWAY, NOW!!!
That was an outstanding performance by Eamon Ryan. The best I have ever seen him and he is right if we can be fossil free in a generation then peoples energy bills will be a hell of a lot cheaper. Then everyone will forget about the past
The Greens have learnt many lessons over the past few years and they will definitely a presence in the next Dail they already have more local Councillors than they have ever had in their party’s history
please explain how we can be fossil fuel free ?
still waiting
Good man Eamon, it’s time that the Irish electorate reminded politicians that the environment matters.
Big problem IMO is that markets etc are based on growth. There is no sign of the growth paradigm being changed or abandoned. Imo, the current gov/media view seems to be that everything is secondary to economics and markets.
The environment matters hugely, but I doubt voting for green-washing can help.
There’s a lot of work to reduce the environmental impact Ireland has.
Even you must see the benefits of reducing reliance on foreign imports for energy?
sure why dont we all live back in the dark ages, close down the aerports and power plants.
great idea !
or instead we could resist exaggeration, generalisations, nonsense and childishness of Owen’s kind. redolent of my 10 and 8 year olds trading insults; except theirs get them sent to the naughty step – in our house which will disappear in Owen’s view of the future.
When Ryan was in Government he was afraid to open his mouth.
Bo**ix
Green gøbshite
That boat had sailed !!!!! Go green?? Gone greens !!!!!
I coulda been a contender, instead of a bum, which is what I am. Let’s face it.
He’s right. Whatever about his past in government, he’s right. Alan Kelly doesn’t give two fecks about the environment and that’s wildly disturbing for an Environment Minister. Whatever climate crisis is coming is our most immediate and pressing threat as a species, and all governments should be working towards a solution. The problem is that we won’t see it as a crisis until it actually occurs, and by then it will be too late. Therefore we put no pressure on governments and they do nothing about it, exactly what Eamon says in this video.
A climate bill that was ready to go, rewritten, declawed and passed to next government.
A property tax instead of a much fairier site value tax that would have increased economic activity.
Restarting a 600,000 tonne waste incerinerator project rather than continuing to go for zero waste and efficiency and the resulting jobs.
Halving the number of houses retrofited each year to reduce our bills, reduce fuel poverty and create employment.
A conference on food sustainability without a single small Irish prodcuer, when SMEs are the backbone of the economy, sustainability and employment.
Threatenignto get rid of new planning regulations that could have help ot prevent the bubble and crash if they had been introduced sooner, and which give us a housing stock that doens’t break the bank to heat.
How is it that these aren’t constant headline issues?
Of course the man is angry; we should all be!
These shouldn’t be political issues! They’re common sense! Why is it that only the Greens are raising these things? I haven’t heard FF/FG (not surprising) Lab/SF/AAA (disappointing) banging on about these issues!
Regardless of the last government, it now seems that voting Green is the only way to scare the other parties into copping on.
It worries me that someday people might possibly forgive and forget and the Green Party will worm their way back into politics and ruining peoples lives like a siege of Maggots……
That shows your ignorance Tom Red Eamon is not an elected representative he lost his seat at the the last election so I suspect our tax payers dollar was badly spent on your education
Ryan’s degree is in commerce. It never ceases to amaze how some many will do so much to save the planet, except take a course in science.
LOL. What in the name of all that is scientific does that mean, Valentine?
Ryan will not debate with me. He refused to ratify the Aarhus Convention while in government which is designed to protect the environment. He believed wind farms work, when they cannot displace base load generating plant which is 45% and they can only be allowed into the grid at a portion of below 50%. When measured over a year they are net consumers of fossil fuel. The zero carbon dream has no scientific basis and Ryan has no detail as to how it will be achieved. The policies he began have given us the 4th highest electricity prices in the world with several industries claiming it will effect their ability to keep jobs and create more. Several scientists rebut the idea of man made climate change.
I heard Ryan in person once. He said that the markets would decide the best technology! .. The most profitable perhaps, but hardly the best!
However, I think zero carbon does have some scientific bases, but it’s practicly impossible to achieve imo
http://zerocarbonbritain.org/
Role on the elections and time to put Ireland back on track to being self reliant on our own Natural Resources, role on the Greens, €7B back into our own economy, that would generate a fair few jobs, and get this country working again.
Role on the elections and we’ll get the Green Party back into play, ensuring €7B of our own money is put back into this economy, spent on new jobs building sustainable social housing, increased forestry stock, investment into our Natural Resources such as wind and tidal. And making things better for all citizens of this state, and not just Europe.
A narcissistic headbanger of the highest order
Ryan is now and always has been a useless windbags. Kindly funk off.
And what did you do when we had money to spend? Feck all… Do you think we are all Green!
How are his thoughts on the last government, lol.
The last time I checked it costs a great deal of money to invest in new and reliable forms of renewable technology and a good show by the Greens was to make the polluters pay, and that’s only fair. If we continue to carry on well just keep burning and not bother to wonder who’s going to pick up after us, time to grow up and act like responsible adults like we think we are!!!.
Looney Ryan wants us to live in the dark ages – how can someone like this get on TV without a big laughing machine interrupting him ?????????????????????
Gormley & Ryan created fuel poverty by introducing a tax on fuel. Gormley gave RIAI a monoply. I believe in green issues but totally reject the Irish “Green” Party
Gutter journalism. Do you have any professional code of ethics? Why invite the guy all to the studio only to do him up like a kipper?
‘ We go fossil free, we wont use imported oil, gas coal’……………Within a generation, the Green Party claims. So, what do we use to heat our homes, fuel our cars, keep our factories running? I might have missed something here, but I’m having a real problem understanding how we can exist without oil, gas, coal. Can anyone explain this to me?
Ryan should hook his house up direct to a wind turbine.
That way he will be shut off from the modern world and we wont have to listen to his crap anymore
Eamonn and his bunch of merry men, were elected on a Green manifesto some years ago. While in government they managed to introduce a motor tax system that favoured the well-off, a few recharging points for electric cars and civil union for same-sex couples. Hardly the sort of thing one would expect from an environmentally concerned political party, is it? Maybe he’ll be more Green next time round, beacause he probably will get elected.
Ryan is the man that hiked car tax, this muppet thinks Ireland ends at the Pale and we should all have bicycles !
have your say