OPW Minister hits out at "trolls" whom he has accused of having no interest in protecting the environment

Friday, 21 May 2021 09:35

Minister of State Patrick O'Donovan says he is personally being targeted on social media

He says urgent reform of the planning process is needed to stop objectors from holding up projects such as flood defence schemes.

Here in Cork, a €20 million flood defence plan for Blackpool could face a long delay after campaign group Save Our Bride Otters launched a GoFundMe campaign to raise money for a judicial review.

Last week the Taoiseach was forced to defend comments he made encouraging An Taisce to drop its objection to plans for a Glanbia cheese factory in Kilkenny.

Speaking to RedFM News, OPW Minister Patrick O'Donovan says he agrees with the Taoiseach and says more must be done to tackle delays caused by objections:

"This no sooner will be aired on RedFM but my usual band of trolls, and they're not environmentalists, these people are not environmentalists. If you are listening to this lads, you're not going to get me off the pitch. I intend on defending the rights of the people who want to get rid of the sewerage and the urine, and the excrement, and the effluent from their hoses and you're not going to get rid of me that easily. I intend on standing up for the rights of the people who want a flood relief scheme in Cork, in Blackpool, and in every other town and village, up and down the country"