On this week’s show, John and Joe talk about the Forest Friends Biodiversity Week events which are as follows:

On Tuesday 23rd May, Building Biodiversity in a barren landscape at the Arts and Business Campus 40 Lr. Drumcondra Rd.

On Friday 26th May 11.00-16.00, Experience Inner city biodiversity garden project

Enquiries: forestfriends.ie@gmail.com or 0852536650.

Full details can be found on www.forestfriends.ie or www.facebook.com/forestfriendsireland.

Belcamp College lands and associated Dublin city’s last intact riparian woodland Fingal County Council made a decision to grant permission for a massive residential development that would destroy the biodiversity of the Mayne River and much of the woodlands along the river. A decision on appeal is due from An Bord Pleanala on the 26th May 2017. There have been objections notably by An Taisce and Forest Friends have made representations to Fingal County Council in the past and made some videos showing the importance of this unique river woodland.

Gorse fires have destroyed vast areas of lands in Sligo, Galway, Mayo, Donegal & Roscommon. The Irish Woodland Trust maintains that some of the fires were started by hill farmers to clear heather from their lands while some farmers maintain that arsonists were involved. This is relevant to the propose 2016 Heritage Bill which proposes allowing burning of gorse in March and hedgerow removal in August, whereas there is at present a moratorium from March 1st to 31st August.

Local residents Anna Collins & Elizabeth Davidson campaign to stop the commerciality of Montpellier Hill and the Kilakee area of Rathfarnham from over development. The ‘Save The Hellfire’ is a campaign against the proposed major tourism development by South Dublin County Council Coillte and Failte Ireland. Their proposals are part of the Dublin Mountains Project. Which proposes a visitor centre high up on Mt. Pellier Hill close to the Hellfire Club? A rally to ‘Take a Stand’ will take place on Sunday 28 May 2017 commencing at 1pm at the hellfire car park. There will be some special celebrity guests at the event.

http://www.savethehellfire.com/

https://www.facebook.com/SavetheHellfire/

Presenter: John Haughton

Panellist: Joe Dunne

Main Guests: Anna Collins & Elizabeth Davidson

Student guests: Gaspard and Aurelian