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Posts by Lorraine Benson

Post image _"The Government’s consistent cheerleading for data centre expansion has reached a point of reckless disconnect from the economic reality of Irish citizens... Irish families are paying nearly double the electricity rates of these industrial facilities, effectively subsidizing the massive energy consumption of global tech giants while struggling with a punishing cost-of-living crisis."

https://greenparty.ie/news/uncritical-expansion-data-centres-will-fuel-social-inequality-and-energy-crisis-cllr-hazel-chu

_"The Government’s consistent cheerleading for data centre expansion has reached a point of reckless disconnect from the economic reality of Irish citizens... Irish families are paying nearly double the electricity rates of these industrial facilities, effectively subsidizing the massive energy consumption of global tech giants while struggling with a punishing cost-of-living crisis." https://greenparty.ie/news/uncritical-expansion-data-centres-will-fuel-social-inequality-and-energy-crisis-cllr-hazel-chu

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Data centres uses 32% of Ireland's total electricity supply but pay almost less than half of the residential rate. So we're effectively subsidizing tech giants during a cost of living & energy crisis. Meanwhile this Govt continues to cheerlead their expansion & continue to fail in their obligations.

4 days ago 513 193 12 10
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It’s St. Patrick’s Day and half a million people are expected to be in Dublin today to take part in the celebration. Our fantastic street cleaners were out in force last night and this morning to make the city look its best.

1 month ago 33 20 2 1
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Ireland doesn’t have time for wind farm battles Ella McSweeney: A recent verdict showed climate law can’t fix what politics won’t

Ireland doesn’t have time for wind farm battles

1 month ago 16 3 1 2

Electricity prices are plain unfair to consumers in Ireland.⚡ It's mischievous in the extreme to insinuate that degrowth prompted this very reasonable and important question by Deputy O'Gorman.

1 month ago 1 0 0 0
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Still waiting for the "high impact actions". Looks like it will be another year before we know. At least let us know : is it Abandon and Retreat?

2 months ago 0 0 0 0
Over 50 people at the Birdwatch Ireland meeting in Naas Library and cultural centre.

Over 50 people at the Birdwatch Ireland meeting in Naas Library and cultural centre.

Birdwatch Ireland CEO Dr Andrew Kelly speaking at Kildare meeting of Birdwatch members in Naas. Almost two thirds of bird species in Ireland are in decline. Help us stop the decline: become a member. www.birdwatchireland.ie

2 months ago 2 0 0 0
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The Hazel trees are in bloom ❤️ male catkins, and the tiny little female red flower.
So beautiful when the sun illuminates them between the showers .... @peatlandecr.bsky.social @tocharstories.bsky.social @claireissimo.bsky.social @communitywetlands.bsky.social

2 months ago 40 9 1 1
Shannon Airport Used for US
Deportation of Palestinians. Twice.
Source: The Guardian

Hours earlier, they had been sitting with their wrists and ankles shackled on the plush leather seats of a private jet owned by the Florida property tycoon Gil Dezer, a longtime business partner of Donald Trump.
younggreens.ie/join

Shannon Airport Used for US Deportation of Palestinians. Twice. Source: The Guardian Hours earlier, they had been sitting with their wrists and ankles shackled on the plush leather seats of a private jet owned by the Florida property tycoon Gil Dezer, a longtime business partner of Donald Trump. younggreens.ie/join

We are sickened by the reports yesterday in The Guardian that a private jet owned by one of Donald Trump’s friends was not only used to deport Palestinians back to the occupied West Bank but that this jet was allowed to fuel in Shannon Airport.

2 months ago 12 10 1 0
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Still no Climate plan and key government Climate unit has been disbanded... 🤨Meanwhile climate change impacts washing up on our streets and homes, train tracks flooded and roads swept away. Where are the "high impact actions"?

2 months ago 2 0 0 0

Agree. Thanks for this video. Needs to be said.

2 months ago 1 0 0 0

Agree and thanks for saying this. Don't stop pointing this out.

2 months ago 1 0 0 0

With Trumps threats to Greenland’s independence growing every day, a strong EU response is vital.
I’m calling on the Taoiseach to urgently brief Opposition leaders on the possible use of the EU Anti-Coercion Instrument and the impact on Ireland of the new tariffs threat 🇮🇪 🇬🇱 🇪🇺

3 months ago 69 28 1 0

Unbelievable. Why the delay? The facts are known. Where are the "high impact actions". Where is the urgency? Placing climate burdens on the next generation seems to be the norm for this government.

3 months ago 2 0 0 1

A New Year's Resolution:
www.greenparty.ie/take-action

3 months ago 6 6 0 0
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Starlings carrying nest material into a convenient hole in a soffit at Monread, Naas, Co Kildare. A bit early for nesting?@BirdWatchIE @BirdsMatter_ie photo from Birdwatch Ireland's excellent website.

3 months ago 1 0 0 0
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Young Blackcap on the Beara Peninsula, West Cork, Ireland feeding up before migration on 14 October 2025.

5 months ago 4 0 0 0
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Birdwatch Ireland conservation volunteers with Cape Clear Warden John Horton. Lovely morning for a ringing session.

6 months ago 1 0 0 0
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Irish Times today on decision of the International Court of Justice on responsibility of States to protect the rights of current and future generations to a clean, healthy and sustainable environment. The EU US Trade deal on future fossil fuel purchase runs foul of the ICJ.

8 months ago 0 0 0 0

If those 20 EU govts who joined Monday's strong statement by Western countries to immediately allow aid & supplies move unencumbered into Gaza are ready to put their words into action, there's already a qualified majority to act. QMV can immediately suspend the trade chapter 1/4

8 months ago 33 23 3 1
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Healthy environment is a human right, top UN court rules in landmark climate case ‘This is the start of a new era of climate accountability at a global level’ - Greenpeace

Healthy environment is a human right: '... those most responsible for causing the climate crisis are legally bound to take action, can be held accountable for inaction and may be required to provide reparations to those most affected'

www.irishtimes.com/world/2025/0...

8 months ago 5 2 0 0
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Tonight the Greens are ending a bad tax cut in Dublin City Council. We want to invest instead.

We'll be raising money to insulate social housing, bring derelict properties into use, offer pprenticeships, and build zebra crossings.

Fixing Dublin = Investing in Dublin

9 months ago 26 12 0 2
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Birdwatch Ireland Kildare visit to Farming for Nature Ambassador, Anthony Mooney's farm. Anthony runs a successful beef farm, does not apply chemical nitrogen and has not reseeded his land for 25 years. We were joined by the Dublin Naturalists Field Club.

9 months ago 2 0 0 0
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Large White Butterfly eggs and larvae on a cabbage leaf today in North Kildare. There are plenty of these about.

9 months ago 1 0 0 0
In the picture L to R Senator Malcolm Noonan, Seán Roynane, Una Duggan, Jennifer Whitmore TD, Andrew Kelly CEO Birdwatch Ireland and Lorraine Benson.

In the picture L to R Senator Malcolm Noonan, Seán Roynane, Una Duggan, Jennifer Whitmore TD, Andrew Kelly CEO Birdwatch Ireland and Lorraine Benson.

Time to protect the seabirds by designating Marine Protected Areas. Birdwatch Ireland's detailed work and mapping will help inform government policy and legislation....... I hope

9 months ago 8 2 0 0
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Crucial areas for conserving Irish seabirds identified A map identifying the 73 most important areas for Ireland's seabirds is being launched by BirdWatch Ireland.

A map identifying the 73 most important areas for Ireland's seabirds is being launched by BirdWatch Ireland

9 months ago 56 10 1 0
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France ordered to compensate family of jogger killed by toxic algae Jean-René Auffray, 50, died in 2016 during a run after inhaling poisonous gas emitted by rotting green algae piled along the country's western coast.

Landmark case: Court in France found French State liable for death of jogger, citing its "negligence" in enforcing environmental regulations to protect its waters and prevent toxic green algae. In Brittany, 90% of algae blooms are caused by intensive agriculture

www.lemonde.fr/en/police-an...

9 months ago 12 1 0 1
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Hummingbird-Hawk-moth on Lavender in my garden.

9 months ago 2 0 0 0
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No Song Sparrow on Tory Island today 😢 after it's one week stay. But isn't the Donegal landscape breathtaking?

9 months ago 1 0 0 0
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And here is another gem. Bord na Mona knows that peat purifies water. They were hired by the US EPA to use Irish peat to address pollution in the Gulf of Mexico also back in the 1950s.

9 months ago 1 0 0 0