Christopher O’Sullivan TD
@COSullivanTD
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Fianna Fáil TD for Cork South West, former Mayor of County Cork. Birdwatcher & volunteer whale watching guide.
Clonakilty, Cork, Ireland
Joined March 2011
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Scratching my head at these calls for NPHET to be disbanded immediately. Seems like a bit of an “up yours” to a team of people who worked their socks off and gave us pretty good guidance over the last 2 years.
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Ya gotta love this. In Clonakilty they are using an old telephone box as a “take a book leave a book” depot.
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My mum has let the lawn grow. The place is transformed. There are bees & butterflies everywhere and there was a mad column of insects coming up from the grass. Can we make this catch on please. Share your pics of your
#NoMowMay
effort.
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In August we may see Clonakilty’s main street pedestrianised for the first time. It will be done on a temporary basis for every Saturday in August and September from 2pm to 10pm. If anywhere can make this work it’s Clonakilty!
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At the most important time of the year for breeding birds. This sh*t has to stop.
#WestCork
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Hey DAA. In Cork we have a brand new runway with a newish airport terminal and check-in desks that are empty most of the time. It’s also regarded as one of the easiest airports to use in all of Europe. Send a few routes our way please.
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I was appalled to learn of the massacre of 23 common buzzards in Cork recently. These majestic birds of prey are just beginning to re-establish themselves in this county. This type of act is ignorant and unforgivable. I will be seeking a full investigation into this incident.
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Ah lads! Why?
Weed killer sprayed around every single tree at the lough in Cork. It’s completely unnecessary, it’s disastrous for wildlife and it looks absolutely shite!
Can we stop this now please?!
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Hearing Oireachtas members this week saying “reopen the bogs”, “build LNG terminals” &“drill for natural gas”.
Lads, by the time ye have all that done we could have ramped up offshore & onshore wind, increased solar and be a long way toward 80% renewables by 2030.
#ClimateCrisis
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I was in the right place at the right time to get this shot. I’m a very lucky man. Spending time with humpbacks makes you smile and forget everything else. I can’t recommend it enough. Photo taken south of
#Courtmacsherry
#Cork
on Sunday June 6th.
@bbcspringwatch
#springwatch
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Slow-mo common dolphin today off West Cork.
@atlanticwhales
@BBCSpringwatch
@wildatlanticway
@DiscoverIreland
#Courtmacsherry
#WestCork
#Clonakilty
#whalewatching
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I can’t believe it. I’ve just found Ireland’s second ever Isabelline wheatear on Toe Head, West Cork.
The first Irish record in 30 years.
I love birding.
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Great opportunity for the state to buy it, embark on a rewilding project , and prove that the NPWS is now in the business of bringing back nature. Work with local farmers also for some high nature value farming. Kerry National Park has a ring to it.
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This shouldn’t be happening in Skibbereen.Millions spent on flood protection.The entire town should be dry even in this intense rainfall. Part of me is not surprised. The flood committee flagged that this area needed more protection.OPW need to provide answers.
#StormEllen
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This ladies and gentlemen is a Black-winged Stilt. Just found and photographed by my buddy Ronan Archibald at White’s Marsh, Clonakilty,
#Cork
. A vagrant which should be in France or Spain. What an absolute stunner. You can clearly see why it’s called a stilt! Go birding!
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Seeing lots of images and videos of people in New Zealand enjoying concerts, social gatherings and experiencing a fair degree of “normality”.
The 14 day Mandatory quarantine has worked there and in Australia. Of course we should be doing the same here. 1/3
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An enormous basking shark in Clonakilty bay this weekend. One of about 10 we encountered off the West Cork coast. Here you can almost appreciate the full size of the second biggest fish in the ocean.
I love where I live.
#baskingshark
#westcork
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Yesterday I questioned the Govenrment about the massacre of 23 common buzzards in Cork.I pleaded with the minister to establish a properly resourced and staffed wildlife crime investigation unit. I am expecting a full response the coming days.
@BirdsMatter_ie
@IrishRaptorSG
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Two thirds of the worlds wildlife has vanished since 1970.
In fact for wetland species that figure is 85%. Think about that. If you were born in 1970, 85% of some species have disappeared. Last week in the Dáil I had the opportunity stress the importance of habitat protection.
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What once was a precisely mown lawn now resembles an old fashioned hay meadow. And while I doubt we will have Corncrake calling anytime soon I think credit should go to the Ceann Comhairle for instructing the Merrion Sq side of Leinster House to be made biodiversity friendly.
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These are pilot whales photographed at the Porcupine Seabight (SW of Ireland) in 2013. They are deep diving specialist. They use a form of sonar to hunt. It’s also a hotspot for deep diving sperm whales.
Missile tests carried out in this area would be an ecological distaster.
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Doesn’t matter if it’s French or Russian vessels. Any military exercise that will involve so much high decibel noise is bad news for whales and dolphins. It’s even more concerning when the area in question is a known hot spot for cetaceans. Please intervene again
@simoncoveney
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Give me wind turbines any day over a complete monoculture of sitka spruce. Wind turbines intertwined with some mixed native & commercial forrestry & properly managed upland habitat seems to me to be a win win for all. We need to accept that wind turbines are part of our future.
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We shouldn’t be delaying anything when it comes to climate action. We should just get on with setting our targets now so sectors know exactly what emissions limits they have to work within. We are running of time and 2030 isn’t far away.
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Not a single mention of climate change in Mary Lou’s opening statement re Confidence in the Government. Either we are doing something right or maybe tackling climate change isn’t popular enough for Sinn Fein.
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The new variant may mean changes to restrictions but some of what’s being suggested by NPHET including the idea of 5pm closing for hospitality seems too much.
Many people are triple vaccinated but won’t be able to enjoy a meal or a drink with a friend after 5pm in a restaurant.
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I’m glad the Greens have entered government formation talks. From this rural Fianna Fáil TD’s perspective, it’s utter BS that Green policies are bad for rural Ireland or farmers. There needs to be a focus on sustainability and biodiversity. This is a perfect opportunity.
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Overgrown ditches and hedges isn’t causing the flooding. The lack of hedges and ditches causes flooding.
Building on flood plains doesn’t help either. And then of course there is climate change.
But please don’t blame biodiversity.
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6hrs in an Irish Atlantic Rainforest which passed in the blink of an eye. It’s almost like time doesn’t exist in truly wild places like this. Breathtaking gnarly old oaks and giant willows the likes of which I’d never seen.Eoughan’s dream is to have farmers paid to replicate this
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Whatever about the wildlife how the hell do the Kerry locals put up with that volume of thick smoke from this level of burning. Inside or outside of the breeding season this seems dangerous.
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4 fin whales this evening off
#Courtmacsherry
,
#WestCork
. They are the second largest animal to have ever roamed the planet & thankfully they are still a regular visitor to the Cork coast.
@atlanticwhales
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The minister today informed me in the Dáil that he’ll explore the establishment of a Wildlife Crime Investigation unit. My call for action comes on the back the massacre of 23 common buzzards in West Cork
@IrishRaptorSG
@BirdsMatter_ie
@BirdWatchIE
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Here is a 2 minute explanation as to why missile testing off the south west coast of Ireland could have an absolutely devastating impact on whale, dolphins and fish species. Please have a listen and spread the word. This needs to be stopped.
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Wow! The new Kinsale library is amazing!!
Lots of LGBTQ reading in there I hope!
Big credit to
@Corkcoco
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Just received this footage of Wally the Walrus in Courtmacsherry, Co Cork.
What an absolutely majestic animal.
Vid credit John Collins.
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Wait for the minke whale.
Get yourself to any headland in the south west of Ireland from now until November and you will have a great chance of observing whales and dolphins. This clip is from Brow head in West Cork over weekend. The minke whale’s “blow” was clearly audible.
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Having my name above a door in my home town of
#Clonakilty
is pretty unbelievable. Thank you to the Ashe Street crew for the kind welcome. It’s now officially the coolest street in Clon!
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I’ve just found Cork’s 1st and Ireland’s 5th Short-billed Dowitcher at Ring estuary near Clonakilty, Co Cork. Holy crap!
Images taken by Paul Connaughton and Ronan Archibald.
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We seem to have no problem eradicating corn bunting, corncrake & curlew from the Irish countryside but we can’t seem to get rid of this shite. It’s everywhere.
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Delighted to have been made Fianna Fáil Spokesperson on Climate Action, Biodiversity and the Environment by the Taoiseach
@MichealMartinTD
. There are few issues as urgent as climate action & biodiversity. To be spokesperson on something I’m passionate about is a great honour.
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#Kinsale
is obvious choice for the gateway to the Wild Atlantic way, not Killarney.
I was surprised to learn of Failte Ireland’s strategy of rebranding and promoting Killarney as the “gateway” to WAW.
Its a beautiful town but Kinsale is where the WAW begins and ends.
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Since I’ve been made aware of the features of Ash dieback it breaks my heart to see that it’s everywhere. Our native Ash will be no more. But do we know the consequences for biodiversity or carbon sequestration? Either way our countryside will be poorer without these beauties.
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Before Covid-19 over 6000 people worked in Co Cork hotels.That figure now stands at only 400. It’s going to be a long road back for Irish tourism. Strategies and measures must be put in place now so that we can begin the fight back.The hospitality sector deserves some guidance.
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The proudest ever moment in West Cork’s sporting history.
Olympic Gold for Paul O’Donovan and Fintan McCarthy.
They carried the weight of an entire nation on their shoulders and now there are 2 Olympic gold medals on the way back to Skibbereen Rowing Club.
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A fin whale gorging on a bait ball in west Cork today. What a spectacle! You can clearly see the animals jaws open wide as it lunges. Amazingly it will avoid swallowing the saltwater. Wildlife in west Cork in middle of winter can be amazing.
#westcork
#whalewatching
#whale
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This is heartbreaking. A gannet showing definite signs of avian flu near Inchydoney in West Cork. It’s devastating seabird colonies over in the UK. It would be a disaster if the same thing were to happen at the Skelligs or Saltees.
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10 years ago the people of Clonakilty came together. They wanted to create a new forest for future generations. That’s exactly what they’ve done. When political leadership fails to address biodiversity loss it’s left to communities to step in. Here’s what can be achieved.
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Today I was elected Vice-Chair of the Committee on Climate Action. It’s a huge honour.
Our main focus now will be bringing forward the Climate Action bill. One of the most important pieces of legislation that will ever come before the Dáil.
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Finally,a citizens assembly on biodiversity.
I’m delighted with this response from the Taoiseach to my plea for an urgent establishment this a CA on biodiversity . A memo will go to cabinet shortly.
Wildlife is in big trouble in this country. We need to act straight away.
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If 87% of Irish households have gardens then there are roughly 1.6million gardens in Ireland. Imagine if Irish gardens became wildlife friendly. That’s 1.6million biodiversity sanctuaries. Colin Stafford Johnson has shown us how easy and fun it can be. Park up that lawnmower🐝
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The most surreal birding experience I’ve ever had. While sitting on a loo (somewhere on west Cork) I heard a Nightjar in full “churring” song. My first nightjar anywhere. Managed to get a record shot too.
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My best effort from yesterday’s adventure. Plenty of Common Dolphins along the West Cork coast at the moment.
@atlanticwhales
#Courtmacsherry
#WestCork
#Cork
#dolphins
#whalewatching
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Basking sharks are to become a protected species in Irish waters. These glorious, gentle giants are the second biggest fish on the planet. Well done to Ministers
@noonan_malcolm
&
@McConalogue
for their work on this.
This is a clip I recorded last summer off the West Cork coast.
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Cork is the biggest county in Ireland. It has the largest variety of habitats and ecosystems yet it the doesn’t have a biodiversity officer. Today government have approved the appointment of a biodiversity officer for the county. Long overdue but badly needed.
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3 humpback whales gorging on feed off West Cork. I’ve been going on whale watching trips for well over 10 years now, but yesterday’s outing from Courtmacsherry with
@atlanticwhales
was the best day I’ve had on the water. The perfect family activity as Ireland begins to re-open.
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Now more than ever FF need unity and focus. There’s so much work to do. There’s no time to sit around feeling sorry for ourselves and being p*ssed off about being overlooked for certain positions. Let’s get the job done.
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This has my 100% support.
Although it won’t be easy. The vast majority of the old railway line is now in private ownership. But where there is a will there is a way!
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What a sight this must have been to see. And what sights must have been seen from these carriages. This is a train going over the 12 arch bridge at Ballydehob,
#WestCork
. Oh for a return of a West Cork Railway. Thank you Mick Casey for digging this out.
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My mother. The only one who shares my social media posts no matter how cringey they are. Everyone needs someone as supportive as Paddi O'Sullivan in their lives. Happy birthday mum!
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What a weekend!
Sarah and I want to say a huge thank you to everyone who made this the best day ever.
And all of you who have sent the kindest, warmest, loveliest messages…we feel so much warmth.
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Thousands of seabirds passing Brow head in West Cork this evening. In July,August and September when the wind is from the SW, shearwaters (mostly Manx Shearwater) pass by in huge numbers. It’s an incredible spectacle. All you need is a pair of binoculars and a waterproof jacket
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Congratulations to my constituency colleague Holly Cairns on on becoming the new leader of the Social Democrats. All the best!
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A snow covered Clonakilty, West Cork looking like it should be in a snow globe.
📸 by Ronan Archbald.
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The Skelligs are the best place I’ve ever been to.
It’s hard to put into words how the place makes you feel. Puffins running in between your legs. Razorbills, storms petrels, Manx shearwaters and kittiwakes all nest there too. The place will stay with us long after this weekend.
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Some of West Cork’s stunning walkways are to receive funding boosts. These include:
Belgooly walkway - €20k
The Warren Cliff walk Rosscarbery - €20k (pictured here)
Ballinascarthy loop walk - €19.5k
Castkefreke trails - €17k (for trail signage)
Fastnet trials Goleen €19.5k
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The catastrophes that await us will make recent pandemics and conflicts seem like minor events. Yet still in the Dáil I hear the phrase “so called climate change”. We are doomed if we all don’t wake up now.
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Getting inundated with Jedward comparisons after today’s
@rtenews
appearance. I’ll take it though.
@planetjedward
have become a political force with their powerful public health messaging.
#jedwardforpresident
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He’s getting better at the selfies!
With an Taoiseach
@MichealMartinTD
in West Cork’s latest community park in Leap village. Jeez I love my constituency ❤️
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I can’t believe it looking at a Walrus off the West Cork coast.
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4 of Ireland’s gull species are of conservation concern. We are also in the middle of a biodiversity crisis and because someone couldn’t eat their ice cream in peace or they don’t like cleaning bird crap off the window the best we can come up with is “cull the gulls!”
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In the last 3 weeks the hospitality sector has proven that they can be trusted. Cafes, restaurants pubs that serve food and hotels have remained open in a safe, controlled manner. The latest spike in covid cases can’t be attributed to this sector surely?
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Being eyeballed by an Alpine Swift. In Carrigaline of all places! It’s been a dream to see one of these stunners in Ireland. To see them in flight and roosting is amazing.
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Build it and they will come.
Yesterday was my first opportunity to see the new outside seating area at Bridge Place in
@bandon
.
Where once there were cars there are now people. There’s a lovely atmosphere in this charming spot right in the heart of Bandon town. I love it!
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The Old Head of Kinsale and a humpback whale 🐋
Saturday, June 12th, 2021.
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Read this. You’ll never look at a tree the same way again.
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So there is potentially 6 security officers coming from
@CorkAirport
to help out with delays in Dublin airport. Cork airport is currently a pleasure to use. Please DAA don’t let Cork be the sacrificial lamb for sorting out mismanagement at Dublin Airport.
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It’s such a special feeling to get this close to one of the most stunning birds on the planet. Patience pays off.
#kingfisher
#Clonakilty
#Westcork
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There’s being on the back benches and the there’s being on the back benches. Should have brought my binoculars.
#Taoiseach
#conventioncentre
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Bere island has been without power for over 24hrs.
Pair trawling by large 18m plus boats in our harbours has to stop. We know about of the devastation it causes wildlife but now allegedly it has resulted in a cable connecting Bere island to the mainland being damaged.
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Basking sharks are gentle giants. They are the second biggest fish on the planet, and Ireland is one of the best palaces in the world to see them.
We have just introduced a law that gives them full protection under the wildlife act.
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2 Cork South West TDs earmarked as “ones to watch” in politics in 2021 by the
@IrishTimes
. I think that this says a lot about the area, the people who live here and what’s important to them. And congrats to Holly of course!
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We found these Risso’s dolphins off the West Cork coast today. After 4 hours of searching we spotted these huge white/grey dorsal fins in the distance. 5 Stunning Risso’s dolphins. One of the less frequently seen dolphins species in Irish waters.
Stunning animals.
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One of the most spectacular scenes we have ever recorded on the whale watching trips from Courtmacsherry. Common dolphins on the hunt off the West Cork Coast. Happy world whale day! ( dolphins are a toothed whale 😃).
Footage by Sophie Lawlor who was on board with us.
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There are so many reasons this shouldn’t be happening including the fact that the area in question is around the Porcupine Seabight, one of the most important areas in the North Atlantic for deep diving whales and dolphins and other migrating wildlife.
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From my goddaughter who was supposed to be sitting the leaving cert this year. “Dearest GODFATHER help your GODDAUGHTER out and demand the cancellation of the leaving certificate 2020. Love always xx”
I guess I’ll have to help her out. Please cancel the leaving cert
@McHughJoeTD
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Here’s a short clip of a humpback whale off the West Cork coast to celebrate
#WorldWhaleDay
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Here’s the Dáil speech on the importance of protecting and replacing habitat and biodiversity. One of the most effective things we can do, which would have immediate results, is to pay farmers to keep and replace habitat instead of incentivising them to do the opposite.
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Going to start a petition for
@RTElyricfm
to play non-stop Morricone for the next week. Please sign below 🎵
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Despite the speed that global warming is coming at us there is hope to be found in nature. As Eoghan Daltun puts it “one of the beautiful aspects of nature is the sheer magnitude of its regenerative power.” 1/3
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Last month I found a Nightingale at West Beara in Cork. A rare bird for Ireland. Frustratingly I couldn’t get a shot of the bird. At least I thought I couldn’t until I put the images on my laptop tonight and noticed something at the top of the frame.
Glad I didn’t hit delete 😅
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There seemed to be about 3 people booing. Let’s not make the story about them. 99% of the crowd were extremely respectful and supportive.
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West Cork is home to some of Ireland’s most stunning, vibrant and resilient towns.Tomorrow some of the businesses in these towns will re-open their doors for the first time in months. Let’s support them. Let’s shop local. To the owners and staff of these businesses...good luck!
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For decades, we've been penalising farmers for having bits of habitat & biodiversity on their land. Now, for the first time ever, we have an Agri-Environment Scheme that's going to reverse that trend. It's going to flip it on its head."
Here I explain what ACRES is👇
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To put this in some context I am asking cabinet to prepare for December when we hopefully move back to level 3 restrictions. It’s not practical for cafes and restaurants to accommodate outdoor dining only in mid winter. Some tweaks to level 3 to allow indoor should be considered
FF TD
@COSullivanTD
has said changes must be made to Level 3 guidelines to allow for some form indoor dining
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Minke whale today south of Courtmacsherry bay,
#WestCork
. Unreal conditions for whale watching 🐳
@atlanticwhales
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I’m going to keep tweeting about global warming until my colleagues in the Dáil stop saying things like “climate action will have to wait”.
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