Write to politicians

Write a letter to your county councillor or TD

 

Send a letter to the politicians who represent you!

Ask them to raise the issue at local and national platforms. Urge them to represent you as elected officials.

write to your editor

The more letters an elected politician receives on a particular topic, the more likely they will be to pay attention to the issue.

Don’t forget these men and women are there to represent you and your community. The are elected by us all, to represent our concerns and look after our interests. They are accountable to us all.

What to say 

Demand answers:

  1. Why does the Department of Agriculture, Food, and the Marine feels they can waive the requirement for an Environmental Impact Assessment for EU designated protected areas like Castlemaine Harbour (SAC, SPA, Ramsar, Natura 2000)?
  2. Do they plan on doing away with all EIAs for aquaculture for all of Ireland from now on, even for protected areas?
  3. Why does the government feels it is in the right to oppose the will of a community by flooding us with 102 applications, that have to be objected to in a mere 4 weeks?
  4. Why does the Department of Agriculture, Food, and the Marine give out grants to companies for aquaculture before the applications have been approved? This prejudices the application process!
  5. Why did the Department of Agriculture, Food, and the Marine allow publication of application adverts before the draft Appropriate Assessment has been finalised?

In short, we demand that the Department of Agriculture, Food, and the Marine adhere to EU regulations of public participation and requirements for responsibly managed Natura 2000 sites, and that they begin a more transparent, responsible management of the aquaculture application process.

 

Write to your local representative

  • Kerry County Council – Find your councillor
    Not in Kerry? Search “[your county] County Council” in Google.
  • TDs (search for “Kerry”).
    Not in Kerry? Search for your county.

 

5 STEPS TO A GREAT LETTER

Make a point!

      1. Give your letter one simple message. If someone’s going to read this letter, what do you want them to do or understand? [e.g. Rossbeigh-Dooks is NOT the right place for oyster aquaculture development.

     

      1. ·Be timely: don’t wait to write your representative! Do it now while the applications are in!

     

      1. ·Write from your own point of view: facts, personal experience, local relevance; all these are good. Your letter is about your point of view. You don’t have to be an expert, you just have to have something to say.

     

      1. Give them a breakdown of the issue. Add support to your claim or point: back it up (with facts, or with your personal experience). Explain the importance of the topic; he/she may not be familiar with it. Tell them what you want them to do on your behalf.

     

    1. Sign your letter:
      • Your address (only the area will be published)
      • Your telephone number (this will NOT be published)
      • Your name (this may be published)
      • Your email (this will NOT be published)