Save The Swilly 18 April 2002

COULTER TO BE "AMBASSADOR-AT-LARGE" FOR SAVE THE SWILLY

Phil Coulter, the Derry-born composer/songwriter, has decided not to run as a candidate for the Dail in the forthcoming election.

Coulter, who was approached by Save The Swilly to run on a broadly-based environmental platform, has decided that it would be impossible for him to put his professional career on hold and to meet his family obligations if he pursued a full-time political career at this stage.

"My commitment to this issue - that the Irish government must declare a moratorium on all new aquaculture licensing in Lough Swilly until a comprehensive and independent scientific study has been completed and assessed - is unchanged. I will continue to represent Save The Swilly as an ambassador-at-large, and I believe we will be influential in the election."

Save The Swilly has met representatives of all political parties contesting the elections and believes there is widespread support for its objectives, but that many mainstream politicians are unwilling to declare their positions. The single exception has been the Labour Party candidate, Jackie McNair, who has consistently supported Save The Swilly.

"There is nothing wrong with a TD or a Councillor or a candidate declaring that they support the expansion of aquaculture in Lough Swilly," a Save The Swilly spokesman said. "The problem we have is with senior politicians who refuse to express an opinion, one way or another. This is not a debate but a denial of the existence of an issue. What the extraordinary response to the possibility of a Phil Coulter candidacy demonstrated is that voters in Donegal North-East are far more aware of their environment; that they are not exactly enamoured of their elected representatives, and that change is needed."

In recent days Coulter has received an overwhelming stream of messages supporting his candidacy, from people on both sides of Lough Swilly and throughout Ireland. "It is important to note that despite propaganda to the contrary, not a single job is in jeopardy by adhering to Save The Swilly's objectives," said Coulter. "Why is the government so afraid of scientific research? Is it because they secretly believe what we are saying, but are so committed to expanding the aquaculture industry they would prefer that no one looks too closely at the consequences of expansion?"

"This is not really about whether Phil Coulter stands for election or not. The message to this government, and indeed to the next government, is that Lough Swilly is precious, and that any further abuse will not be tolerated," Coulter added.

SAVE THE SWILLY Contacts:

Email: info@loughswilly.com
Phone: Tony Morrison (353) 07493-63733
Phone: John Mulcahy (353) 07491-59113; (353) 086-2808636
Address: c/o Buncrana Anglers Association,
Castle Lane, Buncrana, Co. Donegal
Website: www.loughswilly.com

Archived Press Releases:

September 25, 2006
Oyster crisis exposes "shambles" in management of Swilly

July 11, 2005
Attempt to double salmon-farming output in Lough Swilly

August 23, 2004
Which part of "No" don't they understand?

June 2, 2004
Coulter calls for political change in Donegal

December 15, 2003
Portsalon salmon-farming licence refused by ALAB

November 05, 2003
Sea Trout and Wild Salmon have been Victims of 'Ethnic Cleansing' - FISSTA

September 24, 2003
Prime Time Exposes Aquaculture's Shortcomings

July 24, 2003
Save the Swilly Calls for Farmed Salmon Mortality Monitor

July 21, 2003
Another Disaster in Inver Bay - Inquiry Essential

July 17, 2003
Rural Development Towards Sustainability

February 8, 2003
Save the Swilly Meets Inishowen Politicians

February 3, 2003
Blue Flag Beach Threatened by 80-Acre Fish Farm

January 29, 2003
Save the Swilly 10,000-Signature Petition Accepted by Europe

January 28, 2003
New Alliance Formed in Swilly

December 16, 2002
"Stop Ripping Up the Swilly" Indigenous People Demand

December 13, 2002
Lough Swilly's Indigenous Fishermen Speak Out

October1, 2002
Public Meeting to Discuss Integrated Coastal Zone Management

September 25, 2002
Save the Swilly Welcomes the Strategy on Coastal Zone Mangement

August 12, 2002
Integrated Coastal Zone Management Proposal Launched

August 2, 2002
Questions over decomposing salmon in Inver Bay

June 3, 2002
No Room for Tradition in Lough Swilly

May 3, 2002
Save the Swilly opts for "Swilly First"

May 3, 2002
Save the Swilly/Green Party candidate withdraws

May 1, 2002
Save the Swilly/Green Party candidate to contest Donegal North-East

April 18, 2002
Coulter to be "Ambassador at Large" for Save the Swilly

March 25, 2002
Save The Swilly presents 10,000-signature petition to EU

March 12, 2002
Study of Lough Swilly launched

November 30, 2001 STS letter to Hugh Byrne, Minister for State for the Department of the Marine

November 27, 2001 ICZM and OSPAR - not Clams - for Swilly

October 17, 2001 Salmon farm wants still more licences inshore

September 17, 2001 Save the Swilly meets Labour Party

September 13, 2001 Save the Swilly meets Minister of State Byrne

September 1, 2001 Save the Swilly begins fundraising drive

August 28, 2001 Save the Swilly welcomes I.F.A. initiative

May 15, 2001 Expansion of salmon farming tragic for Swilly

April 9, 2001 Mussel barrels adrift in Lough Swilly

March 22, 2001 Save the Swilly presents petition

March 13, 2001 Save the Swilly questions Minister Byrne

March 11, 2001 Save the Swilly reaffirms call for moratorium

February 20, 2001 Launch of Save the Swilly website

January 24, 2001

January 16, 2001 Delegation meets Minister Hugh Byrne

January 9, 2001 Save The Swilly
(from looking like Mulroy Bay)