Yes! Environmentalists for Europe

Well that's where I'm coming from.

No, I haven't read every line of the Treaty, but I do know that Brussels has led the way in most of the improvements for the environment that we've seen in Ireland since 1973. Plus I like the idea of a greater role for the European Parliament in shaping laws.

The size of the small print (and the large print) on the Cóir posters annoyed me. Interestingly, though I disagree with their arguments I just donated one cent to their campaign via PayPal to see if they asked me my nationality. They didn't, and I wonder whether that may create difficulties when it comes to oversight of their campaign accounts to SIPO. Cóir's campaign premises at 60a Capel Street - 'the Life House' (not to be confused with 'Outhouse' across the road) seems to be up for sale at the moment.

The Green Party held a special convention back in the Spring to see if we'd take a view on the Treaty. As less than two third of the members present (although it was a decent majority) voted for the Treaty, the Party didn't take a view, but that hasn't prevented individual Party members from campaigning, and that's what I'm doing here, I'm voting yes.

Green Energy Fair

Sunday 8th June 2008, Leopardstown Racecourse in Dublin, 11-6pm, and a mere €5 admission; free if you're a senior citizen or a child.

Stallholders will be mostly in the Tote Hall, underneath the main stand, with some venturing outside if the weather remains as good as it's been for the last few days.

All sorts of goodies will be on display, solar panels, insulation, windmills, the whole bit.

Senator Deirdre de Burca, Eamon Ryan, and myself are organising it with the help of Nicola Browne and a raft of volunteers currently baking furiously and practicing their "lock hard" skills for the parking, though we're hoping people will take the 46A or Luas and enjoy the 25 minute walk up to the race-course. Interesting exhibitors ranging from Greenpages to Femmecup will be there, and there'll be an art workshop (accompanied by an adult) for the kids and run by Eco-Unesco and lot's of food ranging from pig on a spit for the die-hard carnivores to organic produce for those who seek a slightly smaller carbon footprint (or should that be hoof-mark) for their dinner.

There'll be workshops throughout the day hosted by Eamon, myself, Duncan Stewart, Davie Phillips from Cultivate, and others. Minister John Gormley will formally open the fair at 12, Here's a link showing you how to get there and you'll find more information about it all on the Green Party site here.

Hope to see you there.

Land Rover Greenwash

...Dear Deputy,

We are very pleased to send you the enclosed booklets "There is more to our world" and "Designed for Purpose, Not Pretence".

%$£"*!

My thanks to David Harpur, MD of Land Rover Ireland for the info, but with respect, I don't see too many rangerovers towing horse-boxes through the streets of Dublin.

David, I think you're in serious danger of winning top prize in the greenwash awards, weasel words section 2008

Where's Bertie?

It was the strangest of days, watching Bertie Ahern seated in the back benches next to Johnny Brady, the heckler in the back benches.

Then out into the sunshine, and a scene that was more like an all-Ireland than the plinth of Leinster House. Bertie came out too, and it seemed odd to see him mixing with the crowds of Cowen supporters , a bit like the ex-boyfriend at the wedding.

I had been a bit worried at Cowen's speech earlier: the only mention of green seemed to be his discussion of Des Geraghty's book, 'Forty Shades of Green'. ,Once copies of Cowen's speech were circulated I raced ahead as he named his cabinet to the last few pages of his script...

"...Our economic growth path has been the envy of many but now is the time to broaden our definition of the success of the nation. Economic growth must progress two pillars of sustainable development: society and the environment.

"The World faces challenges to redress the human impact on the environment, no more so than in the area of climate change...post-Kyoto commitments...environment and economy are interdependent...government can lead change in respect of the environment..."

Phew!

And Bertie? He's in the centre of the pic, between the window and the door of Leinster House. Though right now, I'd imagine he's walking through his beloved "Bot' " in Glasnevin, smelling the flowers, and plotting his next career move.