The ESAI are sorting their listserver, and are deleting duplicate/extinct email addresses. Please click "Yes" on the page below if you wish to remain connected to the ESAI listserver.

https://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=I_2brOJgMNx1PW8VI38u9g3Q_3d_3d

ALL users that have not clicked this link by Friday 31st October 2008 will be removed from the listserver.

If you have any queries please contact Ivana ivana@esaiweb.org or Shirley Gallagher at 0868383759.

A review of the Invasive Species Ireland project is currently underway and a discussion and consultation paper has been placed on our website. (Download Review). This consultation is a key part of the review process and is an opportunity for partners and interested individuals to identify those actions and priorities that you consider to be important. Responses to the consultation paper can be submitted electronically in person at the stakeholder meetings (see below). The outputs from the consultation and the stakeholder meetings will be collated and presented for consideration at a conference in November.

The review is quite comprehensive so even if you don't wish to make a detailed submission it would be valuable if you could respond to the relevant questions in Part 1 and let us know what you are doing. If you wish to make additional submissions or raise any issues that have not been covered in this consultation paper, you can do so by email or telephone to Cathy Maguire on 0044 (0)28 90278330 or cathy@invasivespeciesireland.com.

Stakeholders meetings
Two stakeholder meetings are being held in early September to enable people to feed directly into the review of Invasive Species Ireland and the development of future options for invasive species management. You are encouraged to attend one of the two meetings where you will have the opportunity to express your views in person. The first meeting will be held on the 2nd of September in Lecture Theatre 1 of Queens University Belfast, Medical Biology Centre, 97 Lisburn Road, Belfast from 10 am - 1 pm. The second meeting will take place on the 4th of September at NPWS Headquarters at 7 Ely Place from 11 am - 2 pm.

Codes of Practice Consultation process extended
The consultation process for Recreational Water Users, Marina Operators and Aquaculture has been extended until Friday the 22nd of August. This will allow those who are returning from summer holidays to contribute their views. Please remember to fill in your views and also pass the following links to all interested parties as soon as possible.

Aquaculture:
http://www.invasivespeciesireland.com/codes_of_practice/aquaculture_COP.asp

Recreational Water Users:
http://www.invasivespeciesireland.com/codes_of_practice/wateruser_COP.asp

Marina Operators:
http://www.invasivespeciesireland.com/codes_of_practice/marina_COP.asp

National Biodiversity Data Centre
The National Biodiversity Data Centre are nearing completion of their interactive species distribution mapping website. This will provide users with an invaluable tool in mapping not only invasive alien species but all records submitted to them. Please remember to submit your records of non native species to www.invasivespeciesireland.com/sighting. Submit any native species dataset directly to the centre. We have had a sneak preview here at Invasive Species Ireland and eagerly await its launch in the near future.

Pond plants
Ornamental pond plants increasingly becoming established in the wild with damaging consequences as demonstrated by the Lagarosiphon major invasion of Lough Corrib. In order to assess the scale of the potential problem, better records are needed on invasive pond plant distributions. If you are out and about this summer, have a look in your local ponds in parks and gardens to see what is growing and please report it to the Alien Watch page on the website. Download the Field Guide to help you identify some of our most unwanted invasive species.

Species alerts
If you are out and about this summer, remember to keep an eye out for some of our most unwanted species. You may encounter these species while out for a walk, fishing, boating, doing fieldwork or generally visiting the countryside. Remember to report all sightings to the Alien Watch page and that we are interested in sightings from not only the natural environment but also sites such as ponds, canals and gardens. Always try to record a 6 figure grid reference and submit any photos to the website. See the Most Unwanted section of the website for more details on each of these species,

Muntjac deer: There have been more sightings of muntjac deer in the Wicklow area. Please look out for this species when driving and also have a look for tracks and signs if you are walking along forest paths. This is one of our most unwanted species. It is currently unclear if this is a number of escaped individuals or if the species is at an early stage of becoming established in Ireland. Muntjac deer have the potential to significantly change our native forest floral and faunal communities and causing a reduction or loss of many of our species including the much loved native bluebell Hyacinthoides non-scripta.

Invasive mammals on islands: if you are visiting inshore and offshore islands this summer keep your eyes peeled for invasive predatory mammals such as rats, mink and feral cats. Report all your sightings to the website.

Predatory flatworms: Predatory flatworms may have a significant impact on the ecology of Ireland's soil. If you are gardening this summer or out in the countryside, please check for this species. Have a look under stones and sheets of plastic. Check for eggs in garden materials you are moving and remember to follow best practice quarantine procedures, as identified in the Horticulture Code of Practice, when bringing plants into your garden.

Brown hare: The brown hare is a non native species to Ireland. It is known in the wild in County Tyrone. Elsewhere in Europe, it has out competed mountain hares. The Irish hare is a sub species of the mountain hare. Please keep an eye out for this species and report all sightings. Also, if you know of anyone introducing this species, make them aware of the potential threat to our native and endemic hare.

Ruddy ducks: Birdwatchers are asked to report all their sightings of ruddy ducks to not only their usual reporting avenue but also to the Alien Watch page. This species threatens the endangered white-head duck in Europe and is ranked as one of our most unwanted species.

Chinese mitten crab: Chinese mitten crabs have been recorded in the Waterford area. You may spot this species if you are out and about along rivers in the area. They are known to take bait from fishing lines. Report all sightings and do not return any specimens caught to the river.

Chub: Chub are currently known in the River Inny in Ireland. If you see this species anywhere in Ireland report your sightings to the Alien Watch page.

Carp species: The distribution of non native carp in Ireland is currently unclear. Should you catch any carp species in a river system please report it.

Zebra mussels: This species continues to expand its range in Ireland. Keep a look out for zebra mussels on piers, docks, boats and equipment in all lake systems in Ireland. Please report your sightings even if you think it has already been recorded from the area.

Didemnum species: This species can have significant impacts on native ecosystems. If you are out boating this summer or happen to be visiting an aquaculture installation please have a look for Didemnum species. Remember, there are look-a-like natives so try to take a photo to aid identification.

Invasive Species Photo Library
The Invasive Species Ireland project would like to invite you to submit your photographs of invasive species for inclusion in our Photo Library. This library will be an online facility with open access to photos for people working on education and awareness raising initiatives in Ireland and elsewhere. If you have any photos and are willing to provide these, fee free, please email john@invasivespeciesireland.com.

Events
If you are holding an event relating to invasive alien species and would like to advertise this through our mailing list and website please email john@invasivespeciesireland.com. Also, consider contacting us directly about materials we can provide to help make your event a success.

Case studies
If you have worked on or are working on invasive alien species issues and would like to write a case study for inclusion on the website please email john@invasivespeciesireland.com with details.

Best wishes,
John and Cathy

--

John Kelly
Invasive Species Ireland
10 Upper Crescent
Belfast BT7 1NT

Tel: +44 (0) 28 9027 8330
Direct: +44 (0) 28 9031 6987
Fax: +44 (0) 28 9027 8334
Website: www.invasivespeciesireland.com

Skillnets is pleased to announce that we have added a new network filtering facility to the Skillnets website. You will remember the Network Directory template which was sent out to all networks in March 2008. This template functioned both as a template for the network directory and as a means for us to collate the information required for this facility.

This new section can be accessed by clicking on the map of Ireland on the left hand navigation of the Skillnets home page.

The filter search works exactly like a filter on an Excel spreadsheet.

Networks can be filtered by Region or/and by Sector.

In order to do this you simply click on the drop down box above the required column and select how you want the networks filtered. For example, by choosing the Technology sector the page will only display networks operating in the technology sector. You can then further filter your search by filtering the remaining networks by Region for example by choosing the West region. The final result of this search will display all networks in the Technology sector that operates and provides training in the West region.

You will notice that some networks are listed more than once. This occurs when a network operates in more than one region (For example where a network operates in the Mid West and the West -this networks name will be listed twice). At present this has to occur in order for the networks to be searchable over a wider range of regions, however once the user begins to filter the network listing this doubling up should not be problematic.

Following on from this body of work we are now in the process of adding in a new section to each of the network pages that will outline the categories of training provided by each network. You will receive an email when this is complete.

This facility can also be used by you and your network as a tool for keeping up to date with the networks in your area and also for promoting your network to potential member companies.

You can access the facility on our homepage www.skillnets.ie

If your entry requires any changes please contact communications at communications@skillnets.com

Thanks and Regards

Laoise Bray

River Basin Management Planning - A Practical Guide for Local Authorities has been published by the Water Quality Section of the Department of Environment, Heritage and Local Government. This publication was produced in accordance with Regulation 4(3) of the European Communities (Water Policy) Regulations 2003 (S.I. No. 722 of 2003).

The document is available for download by clicking the following link River Basin Planning Guidance Document.

Dublin City Council has issued a Strategic Environmental Assessment Scoping Report for the proposed new water supply for the Greater Dublin Area.

The 127 page document (which is about 4Mb) can be found at http://www.iwai.ie/download/SEAPh2-ScopingReport.pdf

The main objective of this scoping document is to identify key issues of concern that should be addressed in the assessment of the draft Plan and the appropriate level of detail to be included in the Environmental Report Phase II

This document examines the proposal by Dublin City Council to abstract Water from the River Shannon Catchment.

Environmental and Sustainability Assessment of the Proposal by Dublin City Council to Abstract Water from the River Shannon Catchment for the Purpose of Meeting a Projected Growth in the Demand for Water in the Greater Dublin Area

Download Report

A REPORT FOR THE SHANNON PROTECTION ALLIANCE (SPA) - REVISED AND EXTENDED, JUNE 2008,

Environmental Management Services Outer Courtyard,
Tullynally,
Castlepollard,
County Westmeath,
Ireland

Telephone 044-966 2222
Fax 044-966 2223
E-mail jackosullivan2006@gmail.com

From the Foreword

Water, says Ivan Illich(1), is not just the H2O produced by burning gases, nor is it the liquid that is metered and distributed by public authorities - it is "the fluid that drenches the inner and outer spaces of the imagination". What we do with water reflects the fashion of each age. In our present time we have transformed water from a spiritual substance that could baptize the newborn and purify the dead and the living, into a scarce resource in need of technological management, a kind of cleaning fluid that has lost the ability to excite our imagination, especially in the urban spaces where most of us live. Finally, we need to ask what we are doing with water - from where do we obtain it, how are the natural reservoirs of water maintained and safeguarded, what happens when we use water, and how we, as a society and as individuals, choose to deal with liquid wastes? Experts say that "Water will be the new oil, and societies will thrive or fail in large part on the basis of how smartly they address supply and demand" (2).

(1) "H2O and the Waters of Forgetfulness". By Ivan Illich; Heyday Books, Berkeley, CA, USA, 1985.
(2) "The Elephant in the Room" -- Meeting Dublin's Water Needs - the Shannon or Pricing? By Frank J. Convery, Chairperson, Comhar Sustainable Development Council, 04 April 2008.

The next EnviroSkillNet Training Event is a half day in Roles & Responsibilities for a Director. The EnviroSkillnet Board of Directors will be in attendance and the trainer will be Mr Kevin Prendergast, Compliance Manager with the Office of the Director of Corporate Enforcement (ODCE). For more information visit the Training Events page.

The Schedule of Events for the Irish Waste Water Environment Water Framework Training Events is now available to download here and on the Training Events page. IWWE 2008 is hosted by the ESAI in conjunction with EnviroSkillnet.

The next EnviroskillNet Networking Event will take place on Thursday 6th March.

View Event Details

The Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Mr. Micheál Martin T.D., officially launched an innovative environmental training network, EnviroSkillnet, at the Lewis Glucksman Gallery at University College Cork on Friday, February 22nd 2008. Having successfully secured funding in excess of €600,000, from member companies and the Training Networks Programme, EnviroSkillnet plans to facilitate enterprise-led training for environmental consultants in Ireland, initially focusing on the areas of technical skills, legislation and information technology.

Commenting on the benefits of EnviroSkillnet, Dr. Shirley Gallagher, its Network Manager said "the cost of training can be incredibly high because of the specialised nature. Dedicated training is required because of the range of skills required to carry out environmental assessments as well as the need to maintain continuing professional development for environmental practitioners. We plan a diverse training programme to cover the needs of our diverse customers". Some of the training will include sea survival, identification of animal and plant groups through to noise monitoring. Tendering for courses will take place by month end.

Founding members of EnviroSkillnet identified specific areas where environmental training is required in a training gap analysis last year. Over thirty companies have already joined EnviroSkillnet. Dr. Gallagher encourages more firms to sign up to the network saying "smaller companies and sole traders in particular who find it difficult to fund training should join us and enjoy the benefits of expert led training at 20% of the cost". Skillnets funding is a government tool which enables private industry to work together to increase productivity and improve standards. The aim of Skillnets is to enhance the skills of people in Irish industry in order to support competitiveness and employability.

Other dignitaries included the President of UCC, Dr. Michael Murphy, and Skillnets CEO, Mr. Alan Nuzum. Member companies were well represented including Dr Lesley Lewis, Limosa Environmental and EnviroSkillnet Director, an expert on estuarine ecosystems and wading birds. Having recently worked on the production of biodiversity action plans (BAP) for a number of local authorities including County Cork, Lesley believes that continued training and updating of knowledge is essential to meet the demands and challenges of ecological assessment. Conor Kelleher is the secretary of EnviroSkillnet, Aardwolf Wildlife Survey and Chairperson of the Irish Wildlife Trust. Conor stated "It is important to keep abreast of new developments in one's chosen field of work and it would be better to have training for such in Ireland dealing with local issues and Irish habitats, wildlife etc." Many of the government bodies who commission environmental consultants were also represented including local authorities. Other bodies included the National Roads Authority (NRA), National Parks and Wildlife Service and Teagasc as well as the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Universities and colleges were represented, Dr Fidelma Butler, University College Cork is the chairperson of EnviroSkillnet, having initiated project with the Network Manager, Dr Shirley Gallagher in March 2007. Her colleagues included Professor John O'Halloran and Professor Alan Dobson, Director of the Environmental Research Institute (ERI) at UCC as well as the President Dr Michael Murphy. Cork and Waterford's Institutes of Technology were represented as well as specific training companies such as GPS Ireland. Other networking bodies were represented including Engineers and Cork Biznet Skillnets. There are plans to collaborate in future with EnviroSkillnet for members benefit. The current exhibition of work by Andy Warhol gave an artistic flavor to the proceedings.

Download the Launch Schedule (doc 28kb)

The 2008 series of Lifetime Lab Breakfast Briefings will host Dr. Jerry Murphy, Department of Civil and Environmental Enginerring UCC. Dr. Murphy will give a talk on "What biofuel, if any, should be used in Cork" which will take place at 08:00 am, on Tuesday 26th February 2008.

On behalf of the sponsors, Cork City Council and NTR, you are cordially invited to attend the breakfast.

For your diary

   Event:    Talk by Dr. Jerry Murphy, University College Cork.
   Time:    08:00 to 09:30am (breakfast provided)
   Date:    Tues 26th February 2008
   Venue:    Lifetime Lab, Lee Road, Cork (the site of the old city waterworks)

Prof. Phillip Jones

Dr. Jerry D. Murphy is a lecturer in Transportation Engineering in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University College Cork. He is the principal investigator in Bioenergy and Biofuels in the Environmental Research Institute. Jerry is a referee on a number of peer review journals on topics concerned with bioenergy and biofuels. He has published and presented widely in the area of biofuels and is the Ireland representative on the International Energy Agency Bioenergy Liquid Biofuels Tank (IEA Bioenergy Tank 39).

RSVP by Friday 22nd February to:
Mervyn Horgan, Lifetime Lab,
Tel:(021) 4941560 or email:lifetimelab@corkcity.ie

The Enviroskillnets website is now up and running. Improvements will be made to the site over the coming weeks but the core pages are complete. The primary objective is to provide access to training in specific, relevant topics. Other objectives include networking � an important aid to building contacts within the wider environmental consultancy sector.