Manx Environmental groups tend to work with government but is that a good idea?

In Ireland An Taisce (the National Trust for Ireland) is continuing to aggressively pursue the government and its environment policy. The body recently had a significant victory in the Courts and now with ‘its tail up’ so to speak it's challenging a new Heritage Act which would allow a much more relaxed approach to the burning of upland heath.

“In its submission, An Taisce said that the current wording of the draft regulation would give “excessive legislative powers” to the Minister for Heritage Josepha Madigan TD beyond her legal power or authority.

The charity also argues that the regulations as currently written would contravene multiple pieces of national legislation such as the 2015 Climate Act, as well as various pieces of EU legislation.

The passage of the Act is set to extend the season to burn any vegetation growing on any uncultivated land where it has previously been an offence to do so under the 1976 Wildlife Act between 1 March and 31 August.

The Heritage Act – through the burning regulations – looks to extend the season for the burning of the likes of heather and gorse in uplands areas to include March under a two-year pilot scheme”:

Full report at Green New s ie:

https://greennews.ie/upland-burning-regulations-may-be-unc…/

In the Isle of Man regulations on burning of uplands are fairly relaxed already.

Additionally in the Isle of Man environment groups tend to work with government or at the very least be apolitical on environmental issues generally. Perhaps that’s not the right stance to garner success?

Bernard Moffatt

Celtic League