Irish Environmental Network

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Listen back to Faustine Bas-Defossez, policy director, European Environmental Bureau - EEB on RTE radio 1’s Today with David Mcullough https://www.rte.ie/radio/radio1/clips/22632574/ ahead of the informal meeting of Environment Ministers taking place today in Dublin as part of Ireland's Presidency of the EU.

It’s time to turn the tide on the deregulation wave that is dismantling the rules that protect our nature, our climate and our health.

European environmental organisations warn ministers meeting in Dublin to resist deregulation and drive decarbonisation

European environmental organisations warn ministers meeting in Dublin to resist deregulation and drive decarbonisation - Irish Environmental Network Policy Director and Sec Gen of the EEB will attend the Informal meeting of Environment and Climate Ministers in Dublin Castle this Thursday and Friday As EU environment ministers head to Dublin for a two-day “informal meeting”, hosted by Minister Darragh O’Brien, Europe’s largest environme...

The IEN has two requests for quotes for its PEACEPLUS Cross-border Opportunities for a Resilient Environment (CORE) Project:

· Capacity Building, Leadership and Governance training for the CORE Project https://www.ien.ie/ien-peaceplus-core-project-requests-for-quote-capacity-governance-training/

· Communications Support (PR, Marketing & Branding) CORE Project https://www.ien.ie/ien-peaceplus-core-project-request-for-quote-communications-support/

The CORE Project is a cross-border initiative funded under PEACEPLUS, focused on strengthening environmental governance, institutional capacity, and collaboration across Ireland and Northern Ireland.

Led by the Irish Environmental Network (IEN) in partnership with Northern Ireland Environment Link (NIEL), the project supports environmental NGOs, public agencies, and communities through training, knowledge exchange, pilot projects, and a digital knowledge hub.

The Irish Environmental Network is delighted to present this year's shortlisted entries for the Biodiversity Photographer of the Year competition 2026!

We received photos from over 300 photographers for this year’s competition. There was a high level of skill on display as well as a wide range of animals, plants and habitats. It’s a joy to host this competition each year and see the variety of life that lives in Ireland.

‘On A Platter' by Michael Jones, the winning image in this year's Biodiversity Photographer of the Year competition. Described by the judges as a great capture of Swallow hunting in a bountiful Meadow, it’s clean, sharp, it’s colourful and represents our natural biodiversity on multiple levels.

Second place went to ‘Top Water Dog’ by Chris Martin – the judges described it as a fabulous image of chasing otters on the bank of the River Lee in Cork City - again, a wonderful image of these powerful creatures, crisp detail showing the power and beauty of these elusive river / estuary dwellers as they protect their patch.

‘Pigeons Kiss’ by Mich Elliot took third place, with the judges saying that it was an endearing image of the often-maligned pigeon, visually strong, detail in the eyes and colour detail throughout fabulous an image that really draws the viewer in. A pigeon kiss also called ‘Billing’ happens as pigeons are pairing up during the mating season.

Winner of the Ocean Category was ‘Life on the Ledge’ by Ivan Donoghue. The judge said that the photo clearly stood out for the thought and care that went into framing this scene in the underwater world. Ivan has captured not only this incredible spider crab but also a view of its world under the waves. The framing looking up from above almost makes the viewer wonder what the crab is thinking as it stares up, maybe pondering what life is like for the air breathers, the same pondering that entices we humans down into the ocean exploring.

Come see these spectacular prints in person at the Exhibition in Sonairte Eco-Centre! The Exhibition opens to the public at 2pm on Saturday July 11th. It runs until August 31st.

Location: Sonairte Eco Centre and Gardens, The Ninch, Laytown, Co. Meath, A92 D9XH

The competition is run by the Irish Environmental Network as part of National Biodiversity Week. The Ocean Category is supported by Fair Seas. National Biodiversity Week is funded by the National Parks and Wildlife Service.

Many thanks to the judges for this year’s competition for their time, effort and comments. The judges for this year’s final results were Frank Miller, Former Picture Editor of the Irish Times and Nick Bradshaw, Photographer with the Irish Times, while the judge for the Ocean Category was Jack O’Donovan Trá, Fair Seas Communication Officer. Find out more about Fair Seas at www.fairseas.ie.

Great news! The publication of the Heads of the Maritime Area Planning (Marine Protected Areas) (Amendment) Bill Bill, agreed by the Government this week, is a welcome and vital first step in protecting our seas and oceans

MARINE PROTECTED AREAS LEGISLATION GENERAL SCHEME ‘AN IMPORTANT MILESTONE’ | FairSeas Fair Seas has welcomed the publication of the Heads of the Maritime Area Planning (Marine Protected Areas) (Amendment) Bill.

Members of the Environmental Pillar joined colleagues from Sustainable Water Network (SWAN) at the Committee on Fisheries and Maritime Affairs to discuss the key challenges we are facing in relation to water quality throughout the country and the root causes of pollution.
Karin Dubsky and Katie Smirnova outlined a number of solutions which, if implemented, supported and funded appropriately, can make a significant difference in reducing pollution in maritime and inland waterways.
These include:

- Managing nutrient pollution from agriculture & Nature-based Solutions
- Enforcement and greater resources for enforcement staff
- More funding, policy coherence & collaboration between departments
- Public awareness campaigns
- Establishing Marine Protected Areas
- Tackling fishery waste through the introduction of a circular model