Environment matters - Green appointee deserves chance to show mettle

THERE is an element of the poacher turned gamekeeper in the Government's decision to appointment a former business leader as director general of the Environmental Protection Agency.

As a former official of the employers' group, IBEC, Dr Mary Kelly might not initially seem sympathetic to environmental causes, with the result that her appointment has been bitterly criticised by the Green Party.

Green Party chairman Deputy John Gormley said that Dr Kelly's appointment gave him great cause for concern, because she has been opposed to such policies as zero waste and energy taxes.