The Government must not be allowed to sideline matters of environmental concern because of the credit crunch, An Taisce warned today.
Marking its 60th anniversary, environmental and conservationist body said the hard work of members should not be threatened by the economic downturn.
The organisation has been credited with a number of achievements, including the Blue Flag and Green Schools Schemes, as well as proposing the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and plastic bag levy.
Éanna Ní Lamhna, An Taisce President, said: “As we approach somewhat more difficult times, we must ensure that environmental concerns are not sidelined by Government, due to financial constrictions.
“We have worked hard to place the issue of conservation high on the public agenda.
“We owe it to those gone by not to return to a day when there was little public support for or understanding of conservation and environmental issues.”
Also known as the National Trust for Ireland, An Taisce is regarded as the most influential environmental body in the country.
It promotes environmental awareness among youngsters via the Green Schools programme, in which 90 per cent of primary school children and a growing number of secondary pupils are taking part.
It was also responsible for the Blue Flag scheme, which awards beaches and marinas throughout the country for attaining a certain level of cleanliness and bathing water quality.
Perhaps one of its best known remits is to protect the country’s rich heritage, with volunteers managing 16 properties of significant value to Ireland.
These include Kanturk Castle, Co Cork, and Tailor’s Hall in Dublin - the organisation’s headquarters.
The body has also had input into national and local government policy decisions, including proposing the establishment of the EPA, the Plastic Bag Levy, and the measures behind Dublin City Council’s architectural protection of Grafton Street.
During an ecumenical ceremony at St Patrick’s Cathedral today, Ms Ní Lamhna paid tribute to past members of the organisation who have contributed so much during its 60-year history.
“Many Irish men and women have given so much to our organisation, spurred on by national pride, and a sense of civic duty,” Ms Ni Lamhna said.
“Among them were three of our former Presidents — Eamon de Valera, Cearbhall O Dalaigh and Mary Robinson — all of whom were members of An Taisce.
“All three felt it was their duty as Irish citizens to protect our environment and saw that membership of our association was the way to ensure that this happened.”
The ecumenical service was also addressed by the Dean of St Patrick’s Cathedral, renowned environmentalist and author Fr Sean McDonagh, a student who participates in the Green Schools Scheme and representatives of a number of local An Taisce Associations from around Ireland.
Later today, honorary life-membership will be awarded to a number of long-standing members by chairman Charles Stanley-Smith at Tailor’s Hall.
“As we stand here today to celebrate the 60th Anniversary of An Taisce, we can say as did Newton ‘We are standing on the shoulders of giants’,” Mr Stanley-Smith said.
“The work undertaken by numerous members of An Taisce over the last 60 years is truly the work of giants.
“However our work continues to be as relevant and important now as it was 60 years ago and we, in turn, must be giants so that the next generations can stand on our shoulders in their continuing fight to protect Ireland’s heritage because the threats remain and countering them will require the same selfless determination as given in the past 60 years.”
Today’s events mark the beginning of a momentous year for An Taisce, which will culminate next September when the organisation hosts the 13th International Conference of National Trusts in Dublin Castle.