Whiskey on the rocks
Issued: 05 Feabhra 2010
Statement by Mary White
White welcomes Antarctic discovery
Green Party Deputy Leader Mary White TD has welcomed the discovery of five crates of whiskey which belonged to Irish explorer Ernest Shackleton, by the New Zealand Antarctic Heritage Trust. The crates had been buried for over 100 years under frozen ice and were discovered during excavations of the explorer’s hut.
Deputy White said: “As Ireland prepares to begin ratifying the Antarctic Treaty, I am delighted that the work of restoring Shackleton’s hut in Antarctica and this extraordinary find will once more put focus on the great Irish explorer. There is intense interest in polar history and Ireland is rightly proud of those who risked their lives in the advancement of science.”
The Antarctic Treaty was drawn up to protect the Antarctic and allow freedom for scientific research and was committed to in the revised Programme for Government. Deputy White said: “The eventual ratifying of the Treaty will bring enormous pride to many in Ireland who have long sought the ratification of the Treaty.
“I look forward to ongoing dialogue with the Minister for Foreign Affairs Micheal Martin TD to bring the necessary legislation forward to ratify the Treaty, to signal Ireland’s support for protecting Antarctica for educational and scientific and environmental posterity.”
The renewed Programme for Government states:
We will join with other nations in giving support to the worldwide effort to protect the Antarctic through ratifying the Antarctic Treaty.