Green Party says government is insulting communities with fracking bribe

The Green Party in Northern Ireland has hit out at a government suggestion that communities subjected to Fracking would be offered a 1 per cent share in profits of gas extraction.

“Quite frankly, it is an insult to try to bribe people to accept the unacceptable,” Green MLA Steven Agnew said.

“There may be relatively small windfall amounts of cash available, although we have not seen any actual figures around this, at the start of the fracking process but the fact is gas flow rates from wells deteriorate quickly.

“This is pure economic short-termism which has been the general failure of government.

“I think it is sign of desperation that communities are being offered a small sop to keep them quiet so multinational energy companies can exploit their natural resources at great human and environmental costs to the people living in the areas designated for fracking.

“It may come as surprise to some politicians and corporate interests, but money isn’t everything.

“Government may be dangling a financial carrot but that carrot is rotten to the core.

“Human health and protecting the environment for future generations is not something that should be bought and sold because it suits the Con/Dem agenda who have been fooled into thinking that Fracking is the panacea to our energy needs.

“Gas is the cause of high energy prices – not the solution.

“We need to promote, invest in and develop sustainable energy sources to break the addiction to fossil fuels which profits only oil and gas companies which have no real investment in the future of the communities which they seek to pollute.”

Green Party Disappointed by Lack of Ambition and Progress on Shared Future

The Green Party has criticized the First and Deputy First Ministers’ lack of ambition and piecemeal approach to a shared future in Northern Ireland.

“This is a piecemeal approach which is knee-jerk reaction to the recent flag protests, the upcoming marching season and the threat by the UK government over funding,” Green Party Leader Steven Agnew MLA said.

“In my opinion, these are not the conditions to lay down solid foundations for a shared future in Northern Ireland.

“Yes, removing physical walls is important but it will be meaningless if communities remain politically and ideologically separated and in conflict.

“If we want a united society where differences are celebrated and accepted, then it must start at grass-roots levels and be applicable to all.

“That process needs to start with integrated education, shared housing and better political leadership where a generosity of spirit and co-operation is demonstrated more regularly.

“Waiting until children are 16 or over and not in employment, education or training to offer them a paid, one-year course on good relations and good citizenship is just not enough.

“In fact, it is a disingenuous move which tries and fails to roll two distinct problems – youth unemployment and sectarian division - into one when they need to tackled effectively and separately.

“What we need is an integrated society not necessarily a shared society because too often in Northern Ireland shared future means shared out.

“It is ironic and sad the plans for Cohesion, Sharing and Integration stalled because the DUP and Sinn Fein could not agree how to proceed.

“After the length of time the Executive parties have been discussing how to create a shared future, I am deeply disappointed that this is the best they can come up with.

“It will fail yet more generations of people in Northern Ireland who deserve a better post-conflict plan than this.”

UKIPPERS for Breakfast & a Well Done to the English Greens!

The Lagan Valley Green Party congratulates the Green Party in England on their recent increase in seats in local council elections. This equated to roughly ¼ more seats, and no significant losses in any area. This also confirms the Green Party as the 5th largest party represented in English councils – no mean feat!

However, the media clamour is likely to focus on the meteoric performance of UKIP, despite the fact that the real story was Labour's return to form with gains of 291 seats. UKIP’s success is not totally attributable to the public endorsing their policies, which aren’t clear in the first place. If you disagree then answer this - where do they stand on quantitative easing? Welfare reform? The rail network? And so on. Much as the Conservative coalition government was a result of a protest vote at perceived Labour mismanagement, the UKIP gains seem to be a protest vote by an England that has grown disillusioned with the failures of the Tories during their time in power.

People may ask why the Greens didn’t get a larger slice of this protest pie. This is in no small part due to the massive amounts of exposure and free publicity given to UKIP by the likes of the English Daily Mail, Express and other traditionally Tory supporting papers.  The Greens have traditionally not been a hot ticket for the media with their more down to earth approach. As a lot of UKIP supporters noted on their twitter feeds, “The BBC played a blinder” for them trying to make memorable TV debates between UKIP and Tory candidates. UKIP also has seemingly quite a large budget for publicity. Marketing is probably the strongest weapon in getting through to record amounts of apathy filled voters in a climate of poor turnout.

Secondly, as  Boris Johnson has proved, and many a spin doctor knows too well, no one will vote for an old, stuffed shirt conservative a la John Major, Michael Heseltine et al. Nigel Farage has succeeded by having a 'too cool for school' media persona, complete with quips and witticisms. Its unlikely 'BoJo' would have unseated 'Red Ken' if it wasn’t for his mercurial turn on Have I Got News For You, for example.

Thirdly the Greens were hamstrung by not having the resources to field as many candidates. UKIP's shrewd policy of fielding for almost every council seat needed the resources - and potential candidates - that the Greens would not be able to put forward. So a lot of fortuitous things came together for UKIP. 

UKIP's short history has already included a plane crash, several changes in management and numerous Basil Fawlty style right wing gaffes from prominent members leading to expulsion. But what are they likely to offer their constituents? As the UKIP policies are very woolly on everyday life subjects like planning, housing, environmental health and transport, its hard to gauge.

Remember, they were essentially founded as a single issue party - "save the pound" being their main objective, as their logo suggests. Its more the vibe they wish to portray which is significant, as economic liberals with a Euro-sceptic socially conservative bent. Its the fact that keeping so many new politicians, presumably with little previous experience as public officials, on topic which is likely to be their immediate problem.

It was well publicised that UKIP did not have policies that encompassed every aspect they needed to, and also well publicised is the fact that there appeared to be a "lunatic fringe" element with more unacceptable ideas, such as Geoffrey Clark (compulsory abortion) who was in fairness ejected from the party. But then again, more socially liberal elements within the youth section of the party have also been jettisoned - like Olly Neville, seemingly being maligned for supporting same sex marriage. It seems the battle will be for middle ground, and herding such vast numbers of new politicians will be a mammoth task for any whip.

UKIP are also now in control of some councils in very impoverished areas - such as Thanet in Kent. With their focus on economic liberalisation (which surely is what led to the recession in the first place!) and increasing punitive justice whilst backing out of the EU, it will be interesting to see exactly what they offer to the people they have been tasked with looking after.

The Green Party's gains are pleasing and look to be sustainable. People know what they will get with a Green councillor, and appear to be pleased with the results so far judging by repeat terms for many of our councillors. UKIP on the other hand are still somewhat of an unknown quantity. They will do well to be mindful of the old adage "easy come, easy go" and the real test will be whether or not they keep their seats next time round. After all, despite the English vice of being excessively tolerant of eccentricity in their public representatives, their lack of tolerance for incompetence may well mean that UKIP will be the recipients of the next protest vote. In the meantime we are looking forward to watching the new UKIP sitcom, coming to an English council near you!

Greens Express Support for New Wind Turbine

Lagan Valley Greens have issued a statement in support of renewable power generation, following concerns raised by Ravernet residents at a proposed new wind turbine:

The Green Party believes that renewable energy generation is vital to the future of Northern Ireland. Due to the increasing scarcity of fossil fuel reserves, a worldwide energy crisis is a very real possibility within the lifetime of a child born today. Fossil fuel generation also carries with it human health and environmental risks, as became frighteningly clear during the BP oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico in 2010.

Locally, the combustion of fossil fuels to generate heat and energy has created its own problems. On 6th March 2013, the Guardian reported that Belfast received a maximum pollution index of 10/10 for air pollution relating to these sources.

Robust planning is vital when choosing a site for a renewable energy generator of any kind. The Green Party's definition of environment is the human environment - the everyday life and world of people. Issues such as housing, welfare reform and provision for the elderly and vulnerable are of paramount importance to us. We are keen that the impact on people near to any proposed plant be minimised where possible.

Notwithstanding necessary transport links, access to the energy grid and other required infrastructure, we believe any plant should, ideally, be situated far enough from the community that local residents need not be aware of its existence.

Due to its proposed size, it is likely that the Ravernet wind turbine will be visible to some of the local community. Its proposed location, however, seems remote enough that noise pollution will not be a major problem. When compared with the pollution and effluent generated by power stations such as Ballylumford, and the proposed “fracking” that may soon be taking place in Ireland, perhaps even in Lagan Valley, these concerns do not seem to be on the same scale.

Finally, there are enormous benefits offered by the Green economy. These new technologies employ large numbers of people with a wide variety of skills, such as engineers, electricians and maintenance staff. A new wind turbine equates to new investment and more jobs in our local area. We believe that an investment in renewables is a sound economic decision as well as a socially conscious one. Regarding the Ravernet turbine, we remain hopeful for a resolution satisfactory to all parties.

Lagan Valley Greens Support Business Improvement District Schemes

The John Lewis and associated retail development at Sprucefield has been rumbling on for almost ten years. Arguments both for and against the proposed 500,000 sq ft retail development have been persuasive. While the development could bring 1,500 jobs to Sprucefield, the reduction in footfall could also decimate Lisburn’s remaining city centre retail businesses.

It is clear that Northern Ireland has been hit very hard by the economic recession, and one of the areas that have suffered most has been small business and city centre trade. It is a serious concern that Lisburn is above the national average for vacant retail space.

It is clear that Lisburn City centre needs help to survive. Investment, promotion and a truly local response is needed. To survive retailers will need to help each other on a local level to compete, revitalise their areas and address local issues.

The Lagan Valley Green Party believe that the best way to address this problem lies with the Business Improvement District Scheme (BIDS) currently being considered by the Social Development Committee at Stormont. This legislation has been spoken about favourably by NIIRTA (Northern Ireland Independent Retail Trade Association) and has a proven track record in England, Wales and Scotland.

The Business Improvement District Scheme allows any retailer to suggest a BID is set up in their area. This then is put to a vote, requiring a threshold of approval from other retailers in the area. If successful, a BID area is established. The scheme is financed by the retailers in this area in the amount of 1% of the rateable value per year. This is not a tax on traders who are already struggling. It is best thought of as redistributing some of the money from rates relief and routing it straight back into the scheme with one aim - to increase revenue. As it is local, it is the most sustainable way we have of getting local people back into the city centre - the lifeblood of our local economy. Town and city centres need better planning and more control for local business. We see this as the best way to deliver both.

The Business Improvement District is democratic, a management committee is formed and each trader gets as involved as they want. Examples of BIDS in the UK have included creating a mobile cleaning unit, organising free transport to the town centre, creating festivals and running advertising campaigns. Each BID is reviewed regularly and ends after a set period. BIDS increase revenue and because they are run on behalf of the traders themselves, they are flexible enough to meet local needs.

The Lagan Valley Green Party wants to see Lisburn City centre restored to its full prominence as a place to do business, meet, shop and relax. We believe the best way for Lisburn City centre to be revitalised is for small and large businesses to band together and invest directly in themselves as a group and a product. Lisburn needs and deserves a stable and sustainable local economy for its whole community.

Green Party deeply concerned about Fracking

Green Party in Northern Ireland European candidate and European Shale Gas Working Group co-ordinator Ross Brown said: “Fracking is a dirty extraction process which involves injecting millions of gallons of chemicals deep underground to fracture rock to release gas.

“There are thousands of well-documented instances of environmental contamination and negative health impacts associated with fracking.

“In places where fracking has been permitted doctors are reporting cases of weakness, headaches, nausea, rashes and burning eyes from residents living in the area.

“The Department of Enterprise, Trade and Investment are just about to grant more prospecting licences which will mean that many areas in Northern Ireland will now be covered. (see map below)

“Fracking has been banned in France, Bulgaria and the Czech Republic and has been halted in a number of other locations including a number of US and German states.

“In 2011, the Northern Ireland Assembly passed a Green Party motion calling for the withdrawal of four exploration licences, which had been issued in Northern Ireland at that time. In spite of the real dangers highlighted during this debate, Arlene Foster, the DUP Minister has failed to act.

“The Green Party in Northern Ireland wants to make sure that citizens know exactly what it is happening before it is too late and they suddenly find their areas dotted with gas wells spewing out contaminants and chemicals.

“Fracking is an extreme energy which is akin to scraping the bottom of the barrel to reach gas reserves.

“Concerns are often rightly raised regarding fracking and contamination of water supplies but it must also be remembered that this is a dirty process which also can contribute to significant air pollution.

“Fracking also puts in jeopardy two of our biggest revenue-driving sectors of tourism and agribusiness.

“Not to mention the disruptive and negative impact it will have on people leaving close to well pads who will see their health put at risk and their house prices devalued.

“The people of Northern Ireland now need to come together and make it known to the Department of Enterprise that we do not want the process of fracking destroying our health and environment so multi-national energy companies can make money off the misery of communities living in close proximity to these wells.”

Greens Oppose Granting of Fracking Licences

Lagan Valley Greens have written to Arlene Foster MLA, the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Investment to express serious concerns about the imminent granting of licences for hydraulic fracturing to extract shale gas.

In the letter, Dr Luke Robinson points out that the there are many uncertainties and considerable potential dangers presented by fracking technology, such as contamination of the water system and the possibility of induced seismic activity. The Greens believe that fracking will blemish areas of pristine natural beauty and damage valuable ecosystems.

In addition to these concerns, Dr Robinson points out that we should be moving away from fossil fuel sources of energy and towards more sustainable sources.

He also expressed disappointed at the extent of public engagement, which amounted to a very small announcement in a few local newspapers.