Latest news with #BreandánFitzgerald
Irish Examiner
01-06-2025
- Automotive
- Irish Examiner
New EV strategy to expand electric vehicle charging points in Cork and Kerry
The local authorities in Cork county and Kerry have teamed up to plan the delivery of electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure across the south-west. Cork and Kerry County Councils launched a joint public consultation process over the weekend seeking public input into the potential location and type of EV charging points that need to be installed in both counties over the coming years, in a bid to facilitate the move of more people to EVs. The regional strategy is required as part of a national plan for the delivery of four main EV charging categories — home/apartment charging, residential neighbourhood charging, destination charging, and motorway/en-route charging. Cork City Council adopted an EV strategy last year that focuses a lot on home/apartment and residential neighbourhood charging, given the mainly urban nature of the area within its jurisdiction. But given the largely rural nature of the counties of Cork and Kerry, people in the southwest have been asked to consider destination charging, which involves installing charging stations at popular destinations such as shopping centres, hotels, and tourist attractions, and neighbourhood charging, for the county towns, which focuses on providing charging options in residential areas. The two local authorities say public input into the strategy is vital to help shape the future of EV infrastructure in the area, but they have stressed that this is only a strategy — that the actual installation of EV chargers will come later. Mayor of the County of Cork, Joe Carroll, said the strategy will be the first step in developing a network of EV charging stations across both counties. 'This new strategy is intended to support the growing number of EVs on our roads. It is vital that all areas are adequately served and that the chargers can be used by local communities, businesses and the tourists who visit the south-west region,' he said. Cathaoirleach of Kerry County Council, Breandán Fitzgerald, said the new charging network will support the growing number of EVs on our roads. 'The goal of the Cork and Kerry EV Infrastructure Charging Strategy is to establish the principles that will guide the rollout of this infrastructure across the region,' he said. The Regional and Local EV Charging Network Plan published by Zero Emission Vehicles Ireland earlier this year sets out minimum charging capacity requirements for local authorities in their own geographical area. On-route charging along national roads and travel routes is being supported separately by Transport Infrastructure Ireland. The public consultation for the south-west is open until 4pm on June 30 at Read More Transport chiefs seek research firm to come up with ideas to make electric cars more attractive to public
Irish Independent
29-04-2025
- General
- Irish Independent
Kerry coastal community stands proudly over precious dune system rescued from brink of obliteration
It's an inspiring exemplar of what can be done in the face of human activity, coastal erosion and climate change in general. The Maharees community-led collaboration which has paid sand dune dividends, has been supported by a host of state agencies, the local authority Kerry County Council, universities and NGOs. An aerial shot of the area known as Magherabeg Cut (right) has shown dramatic recovery of the dune which had been seriously degraded from unmanaged access from beach users and demonstrates how simple actions like not walking on sand dunes can make them more resilient to storm damage. Mayor of Kerry, Cllr Breandán Fitzgerald said: 'Kerry County Council collaborates with communities like Maharees to advance environmental conservation through initiatives such as dune restoration and sustainable tourism strategies. Supported by MD members, the Maharees Conservation Association successfully preserved and nurtured the sand dunes in Magherabeg, Maharees. Chair of Maharees Conservation Association CLG, Aidan O'Connor said: 'We are so proud of the dune recovery here that we wanted to thank all of our partners who worked with us to achieve it over the last nine years. Without support from Kerry County Council, NPWS, University of Galway, Munster Technological University, Clean Coasts and the Dingle Hub we would probably be a news story for all the wrong reasons as our main road would undoubtedly be at risk without these sand dunes.' William Hunt, District Conservation Officer, NPWS said: 'The Maharees Dune Restoration Project serves as a positive example of the significant benefits that can be achieved for both nature and local communities when operating within the regulations of Natura 2000 sites. 'Led by the Maharees Conservation Association, with support from the National Parks and Wildlife Service, community efforts have successfully increased the coverage of marram grass on previously bare patches of sand. This has resulted in enhanced dune stabilisation and improved biodiversity levels. 'This initiative is a win not only for nature and the delicate ecosystems supported by these dunes but also for the local communities in Tralee Bay, who depend on the dunes for protection against storm events.' Killian Kelly, Wildlife Biology lecturer at MTU said: 'MTU is delighted to be a long-term collaborator with Maharees Conservation Association, working alongside NPWS, Kerry County Council and the community of the Maharees and West Kerry. ADVERTISEMENT 'Public events, student research projects, and hands on habitat management, provide excellent opportunities teaching and learning for our Wildlife Biology programme, while at the same time contributing to and engaging with communities around the county.' Deirdre de Bhailís, General Manager, Dingle Hub said: 'At Dingle Hub, we're immensely proud to partner with the Maharees Conservation Association through our 'Neart na Machairí project. 'The vital work being done to regenerate these dune systems represents not just environmental protection but community resilience in action. Their success demonstrates how local knowledge, passion and collaboration can create meaningful solutions to the pressing challenges of coastal erosion and climate change.'
