Carbon tax adds €7m to green diesel from tomorrow
Michael Fitzmaurice slams 'unfair tax on rural communities' and says 'carbon tax on aeroplanes would bring in more money'
Today at 09:22
Irish farmers are 'indirectly paying' an additional €60m in carbon taxes through higher agricultural contractor charges, the Association of Farm Contractors in Ireland (FCI) has said.
And a carbon tax increase due on May 1 is expected to add around €7m to the cost of agricultural diesel for the agricultural contracting sector, the association said.
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The Journal
2 hours ago
- The Journal
Big shift in favour of dairy farming among scenarios proposed in government's land reforms
DRAFT PROPOSALS FROM a land review commissioned by the last government show a major shift towards dairy farming. The Land Use Review was formed to address future land use in Ireland and making the sector climate neutral up to 2050, and covered issues ranging from emissions from agriculture to how to restore habitats and water bodies across the country. The draft recommendations – seen by The Journal – are likely to cause anger among environmentalists, given disputes of recent years around the environmental pollution arising from intensive dairy farming. Some farmer groups also believe a number of the proposals are unrealistic and may cause frustration for their members. The proposals have also resulted in alarm for some of those who took part in the process, with a representative from one environmental group arguing that the measures risk being a 'step backwards' for Ireland's climate targets. One farming representative who took part in the discussions told us they believe many of the recommendations would place a burden on non-dairy farmers. The intensive nature of dairy farming and its impact on the environment has been of significant concern for environmental groups in recent years, while the proposed shift towards dairy will likely frustrate farmers in the hard-pressed beef sector. Scenarios for the future Several of the scenarios submitted to government departments responsible for implementing the recommendations propose a 10:1 ratio of dairy farming to beef farming. The current ratio is estimated to be 3:2 in favour of dairy. One scenario put forward by the report recommended keeping this more balanced ratio, but with added environmental measures and an emphasis on paying farmers for work maintaining nature. The report, which follows the second phase of the Land Use Review, was submitted to the Department of Agriculture and Department of Climate, Environment and Energy in recent weeks. In terms of agriculture's impact on the climate, the sector was the largest single source of greenhouse gas emissions last year , making up 34.3% of Ireland's emissions. While agriculture emissions fell by 4.6% in 2023 when compared to 2022, that still only represented a 2.9% fall in emissions since 2018. According to sections of the draft document, it states that desired outcomes are to make Irish farming climate neutral and to restore ecosystems, from biodiversity protections to water quality. One recent report by the Environmental Protection Agency found a 'welcome reduction' in water pollution arising from nitrogen used by farmers fertilising their land – although the watchdog said levels were still too high in the dairy farming heartland of the south-east. Criticism The draft proposals have been criticised by some of those who took part in the review. Fintan Kelly, an agriculture policy officer for the Irish Environment Network, took part of the review and said that many of the draft recommendations are 'much more limited in scope' than expected and risk being a 'step backwards' for Ireland's climate targets. Advertisement 'They seem to be designed primarily to protect business as usual in the intensive dairy sector, by shielding the most profitable, farmers in the country in the wealthiest part of the country that are producing a lot of pollution, greenhouse gasses, but also water pollution because of the big issues with nitrates.' Kelly added that he feared the review would end up being a 'total disaster' for biodiversity and water quality targets. The report has higher ambitions for rewetting of bogs, aiming for 90% of peatland to be rewetted by 2050. This is higher than the 70% target under the EU Nature Restoration Law. But Kelly said this risked 'creating an east-west divide' in the country, where the 'most profitable and least sustainable farmers in the east are allowed to continue as normal while the burden of change is shifted onto the least profitable farmers who also represent the majority of farm families'. Daniel Long, a member of farming and food policy campaign group Talamh Beo who took part in the review, raised concerns about the direction of the final report. 'If you were from an environmental persuasion or farming persuasion, I think both sides could very much argue that they were dissatisfied. I'm living in the south of the country myself and what you want is fairness across for whatever type of farming you're doing,' Long said. Long also questioned whether farmers based on the western side of the country may be subject to the 'majority' of the environmental measures, unlike farmers in more dairy focused regions across the east and south. 'If you look at the eastern side, we're the ones with the issues with the water quality and we're the ones with the intensive farming,' Long said. 'So is it fair that the farmers on the western side of the country pay for that? I would say, as a farmer, no. Of course the minister needs to reflect on all of this in the final recommendations.' Denis Drennan, president of the Irish Creamery Milk Suppliers Association – one of the largest farming organisations in the country – believes the 10:1 ratios are unrealistic. Drennan said that it will take serious effort to reverse the 'huge problem' of generational renewal, meaning ensuring that retiring farmers have successors to take over from them. 'It's a great success story for the country that we have so many options for young people but it means there's a decreasing number of people willing to take over a farm,' Drennan said. 'The policy review was driven by the Green Party very much, which is fine, but we have to get in touch with reality here,' Drennan added, outlining that reducing emissions needs to be done in a way that is fair to farmers. As to whether some of the draft scenarios may cause a rift between farmers themselves, Drennan said 'that's there already' for beef and dairy farmers because of a 'huge demand for land' among competing farms. 'A review of our land use is badly needed because at the moment it's taking place in different silos, from forestry, to solar farms, organic farming and more. But you need to get to grips with generation renewal to even make that work.' When contacted, a spokesperson for the Department of Climate, Energy and the Environment said that the final report was submitted to Cabinet ministers across a number of government departments covering climate, housing and agriculture. 'The Ministers, before reporting to government, are currently considering the report,' the spokesperson said. Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone... A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation. Learn More Support The Journal
The Irish Sun
9 hours ago
- The Irish Sun
Dublin Airport confirm major new improvements to both terminals amid liquid rule shake-up hint before record summer
OVER 121,000 passengers per day are expected to travel through Dublin Airport during the busy travel season. Advertisement 1 Dublin Airport has announced new improvements to both terminals ahead of summer Credit: Dublin Airport This The destinations cover up to 130 top destinations in Due to the greater demands, the officials stated that they aim for at least 90 per cent of passengers to get through security screening in under 20 minutes, similar to last summer. This came after DAA announced that the security staff had increased by more than 1,000. Advertisement READ MORE ON DUBLIN AIRPORT However, Terminal 1 requires tech and liquids to be taken out, while Terminal 2 requires passengers to keep their tech in luggage but take out liquids for scanning at security. DAA CEO Kenny Jacobs revealed that the new ruling by the And there are changes to the terminals that will be underway to meet the demands, including more seating, water refill stations and Advertisement MOST READ ON THE IRISH SUN Exclusive A further 1,000 seats for passengers throughout the terminals have been added, including 420 new seats at boarding gates, over 100 comfortable dwell seats with charging facilities, 150 seats for People with Reduced Mobility, and 350 new seats in landside areas. Dublin Airport announce arrival of two new food options ahead of busy summer season as passengers say it 'looks lovely' 23 of the free water refill stations in both terminals have been replaced by new and improved units in time for summer. ENTERTAINMENT AREAS Three new kids' entertainment areas have been added at Departure Gates in T1 and T2, bringing the total to five across both terminals. A gaming zone for teens containing game consoles will be added later in the summer. Advertisement The Pet Relief room in Terminal 2 has been fully upgraded for passengers travelling with service and emotional support animals. A second Pet Relief room is also being added on Pier 2 in Terminal 1 and will open later this year. A new Dublin Airport app has been launched, which features real-time flight updates for arrivals and departures, security wait times and details about gate numbers and check-in areas. There are also 15 new and improved outlets for passengers, including Arthur Guinness Bar, Pret A Manger, Boxx, Kimbok and The Garden Terrace in Terminal 1, which will be followed in mid-summer by the brand new San Marco Italian sit-down restaurant. Advertisement In Terminal 2, the newly opened Roasted Notes and Butler's cafes will soon be joined by a new Irish bar and a wine bar called The Reserve (both airside). Lastly, the Liffey Lounge and the Martello Lounge both fully revamped. TRAVEL ADVICE The DAA chiefs have issued travel advice for passengers ahead of the busy summer season. Passengers are advised to be in their terminal two hours before a short-haul flight and three hours before a long-haul flight. Advertisement They are also urged to check in with their airline when available to do so and see if night-before bag check-in is possible to reduce the waiting times at the airport. For those who are driving to Dublin Airport, the advice is to book in advance due to demand.
Irish Examiner
10 hours ago
- Irish Examiner
Thousands attend pro-Palestine and anti-immigration rallies in Cork
A major policing operation was in place in Cork City this afternoon as thousands of people marched in two separate rallies. Dozens of uniformed gardaí, backed up by dozens of members of the Garda Public Order Unit — all deployed in soft cap mode — and members of the Garda Mounted Unit were on duty on the Grand Parade in Cork. Thousands gathered in one area for a Munster-wide pro-Palestine march, and nearby for what was billed as a "national protest for Ireland," organised by anti-immigration campaigners. Several prominent far-right agitators were involved in that event, including former Ireland First leader Derek Blighe. Hermann Kelly of the Irish Freedom Party was among those attending. Garda Mounted Unit at Grand Parade Cork to support the Garda Public Order Unit as two protest marches take place on Saturday afternoon. Picture: Larry Cummins Rebel News, a Canadian-based far-right online news website, had a reporter on the ground covering what it described as a rally of Irish patriots opposed to the Government's mass immigration policies. Crowd control barriers were in place to keep both sides apart. The Garda Air Unit patrolled the skies above, and with road closures and diversions in place, there was widespread disruption to public transport timetables. Following initial chanting, some verbal insults were traded back and forth between sections of both crowds before the marches began. Protest march to City Hall, Cork on Saturday afternoon. Picture: Larry Cummins The pro-Palestinian campaigners were marshalled in one direction — down St Patrick's Street, onto Oliver Plunkett Street, and back to the Grand Parade for speeches and music — while the anti-immigration protest marched in the other direction, down the South Mall at around the same time, to gather on MacSwiney Quay outside City Hall for speeches. Gardaí have not given out official crowd estimates, but organisers of the pro-Palestine march, the Cork Palestine Solidarity Campaign — who record attendance at their weekly rallies — have put their numbers at just over 4,500 people. They heard calls on the Irish Government to place sanctions on Israel, pass the Occupied Territories Bill, and stop the Central Bank of Ireland from authorising the sale of Israeli bonds in Europe. Cork Palestine Solidarity Campaign weekly protest march in Cork City against the atrocities in Gaza. Picture Larry Cummins Naser Swirki, a theatre and film director who was born in Gaza and now lives in Skibbereen spoke of the horror that Israel is inflicting on people who are trying to survive in his country. 'In Gaza, death spares no one — doctors, children, the displaced, and even hope itself,' he said. 'In Gaza, instead of saying, "See you tomorrow," they say, "See you in heaven." 'Parents memorise their children's clothes to identify their remains later. 'They struggle to get a piece of bread, offering it before bed, so their children don't die while they're still hungry.' Protest march to City Hall, Cork on Saturday afternoon. Picture: Larry Cummins Limerick-based Palestinian poet Tamar, 26 — whose four brothers and parents are still in Palestine — and activist Tadhg Hickey were also among the speakers. It is estimated that around 3,000 people marched in the 'national protest for Ireland' rally, with many carrying tricolours. They heard speakers criticising government immigration and housing policy. Mr Blighe also addressed the Irish diaspora and said Irish nationalists want to give them a 'homeland to return to.' Garda Mounted Unit at Grand Parade Cork to support the Garda Public Order Unit as two protest marches take place on Saturday afternoon. Picture: Larry Cummins Wearing a set of blue rosary beads on his left wrist, he said the government wants to put climate, diversity and foreigners first. 'What counts in my heart is to put the Irish first,' he said. The organisers of both events encouraged participants to behave responsibly. Both events passed off peacefully and there was just one arrest for an alleged public order offence. Read More Stricter regulations needed at Cork camper van site after excrement dumped in fields, council hears
