Archived press release

New environmental force in Ireland

20 October 2004

Commenting on the launch of Friends of the Earth Ireland in Dublin today, John Woods, Northern Ireland Director of Friends of the Earth, said:

"The establishment of a new member of the Friends of the Earth international network in the Republic of Ireland, is critical to achieving a decent environment for the whole island. We need a strong environmental lobby in the South to prevent the export of illegal waste to the North while here in Northern Ireland we need to prevent incidents like the recent huge fish kill in the River Strule, which flows across the border.

"If we are to have effective environmental taxes on fuel, aggregates and fertilisers, for example, a strong all-island lobby is essential as these measures will not work properly unless both jurisdictions move forward together.

"We wish our colleagues in the Republic the best of luck and promise them our full support"

Friends of the Earth Northern Ireland
7 Donegall Street Place
BELFAST
BT1 2FN
Tel: 028 9023 3488
Fax: 028 9024 7556
Email: foe-ni@foe.co.uk.

Published by Friends of the Earth Trust