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I did not ban green TV adverts, says Sammy Wilson
Thursday, 26 February 2009
Environment Minister Sammy Wilson has insisted he did not ban ads urging people to act against carbon emissions.
The Minister was appearing in front of Stormont Environment Committee today after it recently carried a vote of no confidence in him.
This morning the Minister insisted that he did not ban the Government sponsored Act on Co2 ads which were not shown on some local TV channels.
“There is no ban, it is not my role to ban these things,” he said.
“It wouldn’t have been possible for me to ban the Act on Co2 ads as they were shown on the national channels and were on some of the local radio stations.”
Mr Wilson said the ads were drawn up by the Government in Westminster but it had been unwilling to consult with the devolved assemblies in Northern Ireland, Wales and Scotland.
The Scottish Assembly had taken similar action after the Government had refused to make suggested amendments, he said.
“As a result we decided not to use it,” he said. “That is not to say there is not a energy saving message going out in Northern Ireland.”
The Department through the Energy Saving Trust is running an energy saving message.
The Minister added that the SDLP assembly member Tommy Gallagher, who had proposed the no-confidence vote had racked up a huge mileage, which amounted to circumnavigating the globe twice last year, as evidenced in his mileage claim.
He said the environment committee member has a carbon footprint of 20 tons but could have reduced this to 6.8 tons by travelling to Stormont from Fermanagh by bus.
“I am always happy to give advice to individuals when it comes to how to reduce their carbon footprint,” Mr Wilson said.
The Minister said he had no objections to energy saving measures but was opposed to horror-stories aimed at scaremongering.
“I will repeat the mantra-like word of those who have followed the idea that all climate change is due to man-made activity,” he said.
“We have a commitment to reducing carbon emissions. That commitment will be met by reducing energy consumption.”
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Sammy,you're absolutely right about this issue.The trouble starts when tiny groups are given a big stage by the media.Then most people begin to think that these tiny groups are numbered in millions.Then politicians begin to think if they don't put their full shoulder behind them,they will be ousted at the next election.Now when I start to see these campaigners wearing clothes made from natural woven straw and the bark of fallen trees,I'll start monitoring the wonderful new global temperature for them.
Who opened that door and let common sense fly out!
Posted by Daniel | 26.02.09, 21:16 GMT
Sammy Wilson's claims that he did not ban these ads is in direct contradiction with the interviews he conducted with the BBC where he clearly states that they (labour) are not going to use NI as a platform to push their message on global warming. Furthermore, he recorded in writing his demand for a post code black out to ensure that the ads were not shown here.
He also continues to misrepresent the Scottish executive position on the ads despite it quickly disassociating itself from his position.
Posted by Not DUPed | 26.02.09, 20:01 GMT
Dig Sammy dig
Posted by GDW | 26.02.09, 17:19 GMT
I take it Mr Wilson will now be taking his own advice and we will see him traveling by public transport
Posted by elizabeth | 26.02.09, 16:57 GMT
It's happened. The lunatics are running the asylum.
Posted by Bongo Bailie | 26.02.09, 16:23 GMT
I can take it that Mr. Wilson will also take a bus but a bus with three people in it going to jobs that don't exist may also not work out.
Posted by JMcBride | 26.02.09, 16:18 GMT
so it was throwing the toys out, because you didn't get asked if you thought the adverts were good, you "decided not to use them".......well apparently the Scottish Assembly had their own adverts, I haven't seen any Norn Iron adverts Sammy, you were pretty passionate on Radio Ulster saying the adverts weren't getting shown on TV here and how the whole concept was overreated..........still sounds like a ban to me.............
Posted by Seatz | 26.02.09, 16:13 GMT
So can we take it that Wilson will be advising Arlene Foster to travel to Stormont by bus from Fermanagh.
Posted by Jeff | 26.02.09, 15:59 GMT
Aye Sammy, yet more blather from the biggest hot air producer on the hill! Stick a wind turbine at either end of the minister, that would remove enough carbon to allow Tommy Gallagher to take a private jet from Fermanagh daily.
Posted by Farrah | 26.02.09, 15:44 GMT
So Sammy didn't ban the ad. He just decided not to use it.
Maybe its just me, however I don't see the difference. Either way the public doesn't get to see it.
Posted by Fred Lall | 26.02.09, 15:36 GMT