#MarineEnvironment - A ban on any new explorations for oil, coal, and gas on Irish territory is through a Bill about to appear before the Dail early next month.

The Climate Emergency Measures Bill writes GreenNews.ie, seeks to stop the Government from issuing any new licenses for the exploration and extraction of fossil fuels.

The bill was introduced by People before Profit (PBP) Deputy Brid Smith last November, where it successfully passed the first stage. The second stage debate on the Bill is set to begin in the Dail on 7 February.

Global mean carbon dioxide concentrations have already surpassed 400 parts per million (ppm), a level that last occurred 3 million years ago. The scientific community has stated that CO2 concentrations of 350 ppm is the highest that can safely be permitted.

Brid Smith said: “We hope to get the bill passed and ban further exploration and extraction for fossil fuels in the country. But more than that we hope that by introducing the concept of a Climate Emergency we will have started a real campaign to take serious action on climate.”

“[The bill] is just the first step in the kind of mitigation actions we need and we will follow this measure with campaigns around real support for public transport, renewable and community lead projects which would dramatically reduce Ireland’s emissions,” she added.

To read more click here noting a public talk (tomorrow, Tuesday 30 January) on Climate Change by author of Oil, Gas and the Irish State, Amanda Slevin will be held at Wynn’s Hotel in Dublin.

#DALKEY ISLAND PROSPECT – Hardy swimmers and non-swimmers alike gathered at the Forty Foot bathing pool in Sandycove to voice their opposition to plans to allow exploration for oil in Dublin Bay off Dalkey, reports The Irish Times.

Last month the Department of the Environment awarded a foreshore licence to Providence Resources for exploratory drilling six kilometres from the Dalkey coast.

Providence has argued the project would be of significant economic benefit to Ireland with up to 40 per cent of profits from production accruing to the State. But groups such as Dublin Bay Solidarity, which organised the protest, have raised concerns about environmental issues and taxation, and have criticised the level of public consultation on the licence.

Afloat.ie adds that this latest protest held last Saturday at the popular bathing place in south Dublin Bay follows a protest outside the gates of Dail Eireann last week.

Close to 200 people attended to voice similar concerns, among them that a public inquiry was not granted and how our natural resources affect all the people of Ireland both locally as well as nationally, which needs to be highlighted and discussed.