VOICE has been trawling through the manifestos of the main political parties to find out what their real positions are on seven key environmental issues.We've compiled our analysis into a quick-reference table of our analysis above. If you have more time, read on below for more detail and explanations of the various scores.Policy AreaFianna FáilFine GaelGreensSinn FéinLabourClimate Change21444Waste13334Water13421Forestry10512Food Security & GM12532Fisheries11414Planning & Transport24535TOTAL914301722Detailed AnalysisClimate Change

• FF (2/5): A commitment to the Climate Change Response Bill that doesn’t ring true given their half hearted support for the Bill during the Seanad debate. They stick with EU targets and say that any bill must safeguard economic development and progress, making it clear where their priorities lie.
• FG (1/5): A very short statement that says they will legislate for our EU targets but only on the basis of all party agreement.
• GP (4/5): Sticking with the Climate Change Response Bill. An extra point for giving Ireland the target of being oil-free by 2030.
• SF (4/5): Supported the all-party Climate Change Bill and are committed to at least a 3% annual reduction in emissions.
• LAB (4/5): Committed to the Labour-led Climate Bill with 3% annual reductions in emissions.

Waste

• FF (1/5): Only reference in the manifesto to waste is a pledge to reduce waste costs for business. One point for the aim of a “sustainable, resource-based approach to waste management” but not much detail on how this would be achieved other than using technologies to maximise recovery.
• FG (3/5): A comprehensive policy on waste management with commitments to improve regulation of waste companies, extend the network of bring centres and introduce Comhar’s packaging tax. Two points docked for no mention of waste reduction or any related strategy.
• GP (3/5): A preference for Mechanical Biological Treatment to improve recovery and avoid large-scale incineration. Expansion of recyclable materials for collection, such as clothes and glass, and bring banks. No mention of a waste prevention strategy.
• SF (3/5): A commitment to zero waste society and a clear opposition to incineration but a mark taken off for opposing waste charges, which VOICE would consider a key tool in reducing waste. Also, no clear waste minimisation strategy.
• LAB (4/5): A commitment to the EU’s waste hierarchy. Some interesting ideas, including the coordination of Regional Waste Management Plans, a ‘cap-and-trade’ system for landfill permits and a levy on hard-to-recycle items. Good emphasis on waste reduction and producer responsibility. No mention of incineration.

Water

• FF (1/5): No mention of the River Basin Management Plans or any other strategy for protection and improvement of Ireland’s water resources. Will introduce residential water metering in 2012 and spend €1bn on housing and water services in 2011 but no sign of a long-term plan or if they support creation of a National Water Authority.
• FG (3/5): Committed to spend €7bn on national infrastructure, including water. Will create a water utility company and introduce residential water metering at an unspecified date. Will tackle septic tanks with new regulations and remediation grants. Glaring omission of strategy to deal with agriculture’s contribution to water pollution. No mention of fluoridation policy.
• GP (4/5): Will introduce residential water metered charges with a free allocation per household. Will make rainwater harvesting mandatory for new developments and focus on reducing demand. A bit vague on water governance reforms but committed to protecting aquatic sites with ecological importance. Promise to carry out a national study on fluoride intake.
• SF (2/5): Committed to spend €7bn on national infrastructure, including water. Opposed to the introduction of residential water charges, which VOICE considers vital to reducing demand. Oppose the privatisation of water services and seek to consolidate all public bodies in charge of water bodies or flood protection. Supports the ban on water fluoridation.
• LAB (1/5): Opposed to the introduction of residential water charges. A commitment to invest significantly in water infrastructure. No mention of the need to protect and improve the quality of Ireland’s waterways and water bodies. No mention of fluoridation policy.

Forestry

• FF (1/5): No mention of any sustainable forestry strategy other than the implementation of the Food Harvest 2020 recommendations. No mention of a policy on the sale of Coillte but in a response to our survey, a rep stated that they have no intention of selling Coillte.
• FG (0/5): Propose to merge Coillte with Bord na Mona into a new state company. Commit to an afforestation programme of 15,000 hectares per annum. Will push for the use of forests as carbon sinks, which VOICE considers premature given the lack of Irish research in this area.
• GP (5/5): Opposed to selling off Coillte and committed to an afforestation programme of 15,000 hectares per annum. Comprehensive plans to encourage continuous cover and promote bioenergy balanced with sustainability aims such as the prevention of illegal logging, compliance with international objectives, the promotion of green procurement and biodiversity objectives.
• SF (1/5): Opposed to the sale of Coillte. No other mention of forestry in the manifesto but their response to our survey included vague commitments to sustainable forestry and reforming forestry management.
• LAB (2/5): Opposed to the sale of Coillte. Will set up a national programme for forest carbon offsets, which VOICE considers premature given the lack of Irish research in this area. Committed to an afforestation programme of 10,000 per annum. No solid sustainable forestry management pledges.

Food Security and GM

• FF (1/5): Implement the Food Harvest 2020 report recommendations. No mention of any sustainability or environmental considerations for food production. Is in favour of genetically-modified food.
• FG (2/5): Wants a debate on GM and will commission a report from Teagasc. Appears to be moving towards consumer labelling as the key issues in GM. Little mention of sustainability in agricultural plans but strong support for Ireland’s agricultural sector.
• GP (5/5): Aiming for 5% of farming land designated organic with range of supports. Conduct a review of National Food Security Policy. Promote closer links between producers and consumers. Declare Ireland a GM-free zone and introduce a voluntary GM-free label.
• SF (3/5): A vague commitment to supporting agriculture in Ireland but no mention of sustainability objectives. Strong opposition to GM.
• LAB (2/5): Will implement the recommendations of the Food Harvest 2020 report and scale up production in meat and dairy. Some focus on agricultural sustainability but largely as a branding exercise. No solid position on GM.

Fisheries

• FF (1/5): CFP reform focused on increasing Ireland’s quotas under the existing quota system with more flexibility. Propose to extend coastal limit to 20 miles and support for a ban of at-sea discards. No mention of Marine Protected Areas.
• FG (1/5): Again, CFP reform focused on increasing Ireland’s quotas. Support for a reduction of discards and EU-wide database of infringements. No mention of Marine Protected Areas.
• GP (4/5): Promote shift back to sustainable fishing practices while supporting the designation of 50% of Irish waters as a marine reserve. A bit short on detail but heading in the right direction.
• SF (1/5): Propose to give fisheries its own ministry and lobby for a complete reform of the Common Fisheries Policy and better inclusion of coastal communities in decision-making. Some mention of sustainability but seems to wait to leave conservation to “fishing organisations” that suggests self-regulation. No mention of Marine Protected Areas.
• LAB (3/5): Better sustainability plans in aquaculture with the establishment of an annual Sea Fisheries Sustainability Impact Assessment and engagement with all stakeholders. No mention of Marine Protected Areas.

Planning and Transport

• FF (2/5): Main planned projects include Metro North, DART Interconnector and the Luas extension. More general aims include making public transport more accessible, real-time passenger info and railway safety. Aims to increase the carbon tax to €30/tonne by 2014 to encourage sustainable transport. Nothing radical and no real emphasis on reformed planning.
• FG (4/5): Fairly comprehensive plan that includes the promotion of electric vehicles and switches in state-owned fleets. Park-and-ride and improved rail services also mentioned. More competition in public transport encouraged. Local authorities will have to create transport plans. Pledge to improve planning coordination that supports local communities.
• GP (5/5): Propose the introduction of regional local government structure that will coordinate infrastructure planning. Comprehensive plans that prioritise public transport over private, introduce smart road pricing, enhance role of NTA, change public transport pricing structure and improve rail and bus services. Lots of good ideas.
• SF (3/5): Promise major investment in national infrastructure and the application of “Sustainable Communities Criteria” to planning applications to ensure reasonable local access to a wide range of services. Lacking in detail but heading in right direction.
• LAB (5/5): Aim to have 350,000 electric vehicles on the road by 2020 and develop a smart public transport system. Revise National Development Plan in favour of public transport with additional focus on cycling and walking. Other good ideas such as imposing transport requirements on new developments, integrated ticketing, real-time info and Bus Rapid Transit. No mention of existing projects.