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Agriland
5 days ago
- Politics
- Agriland
TD: Agriculture tyre levy proposals 'outrageous'
Independent Ireland general secretary and TD, Richard O'Donoghue has today (Friday July 11) slammed the proposed agricultural tyre levy. The Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications (DECC) confirmed last year that agricultural tyres are set to be included in the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) Scheme from this year on. The proposed levy of up €80 per tyre on all agriculture machinery such as tractors is currently under review by the Department of the Environment. O'Donoghue labelled the levy a 'disgraceful and tone-deaf attack on working farmers and contractors", stating it could cost the agri-sector €10.9 million. The deputy said: 'This proposal is nothing short of a tyre tax on the very people who are keeping Ireland's food system afloat. 'At a time when rural communities are already buckling under the weight of EU diktats, input costs, derogation uncertainty, and market pressure, the idea of lashing on another €320 just to replace a set of tyres is outrageous.' The Limerick TD said that the EPR schemes are intended to promote recycling but is now just causing heartache for working people. O'Donoghue asked 'Who comes up with this nonsense?', saying that it is another policy proposed without understanding the realities of farming. He added that the policy was "designed by people who've clearly never set foot on a wet field or changed a tractor tyre in their lives.' The deputy expressed his frustration, saying that there is no clarity on how or where these tyres are being recycled, and stated for all he knows, a proper recycling network may not even be in place. Proposed tyre levies. Source: DECC (2024) O'Donoghue said Independent Ireland is calling on the minister for the environment to stop this levy coming into place. He stated: "This is not just about tyres. It's about the straw that breaks the camel's back. Farmers have had enough. Contractors have had enough. And the people of rural Ireland have had enough." Irish Farmers Association (IFA) President Francie Gorman also said recently that the levy on agricultural tyres must be postponed until proper disposal systems are in place. O'Gorman said: 'It is much too early to consider introducing a levy on agricultural tyres at this stage. "Firstly, it will likely lead to a significant increase in the purchase of tyres from Northern Ireland, where no levy is in place, leading to a major loss of VAT revenue for the exchequer. "Secondly, farmers have not been offered any way of disposing of existing waste tyres on farms similar to the collection points provided for waste plastic." O'Gorman said that these issues must be resolved before any levy is applied.
The Journal
23-06-2025
- Politics
- The Journal
Government survey finds majority of the public think it's doing a bad job on climate
THE LATEST 'CLIMATE Conversations' survey by the government has found that the public believe that the government is seriously underperforming in its climate action. This survey is the fourth report of its kind. It gathered its responses through an online public consultation between May and September 2024. It claims to 'provide critical insights into Irish citizens' attitudes, understanding, and involvement in climate action'. One section of the report, titled 'Perceptions of the Government's Performance [on climate]', summarised its respondents' attitudes to Government's climate performance as so: 'Their performance was generally negatively perceived across all areas, especially in terms of 'having a clear plan in place for getting Government, businesses and people to work together', and in 'Giving citizens a say in climate policy'. 'Supporting individuals and communities to take climate action' was also one of the more poorly rated areas.' Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications Just over one in seven people who responded to the survey believed that the Government is delivering a clear climate action plan. Advertisement The report noted that those that had responded to the online consultation are generally more engaged with the topic of climate change than the general public, and stated 'this is worth remembering' in regards to assessing responses from the cohort in which 76% of the respondents expressed that they felt that they themselves could do more to address climate change, an increase in the previous iterations of the survey. It said that frustration is the dominant emotion felt by the Irish public regarding climate change, followed by worry and powerlessness. Frustration was recorded by 67% of the 1,9,49 respondents (about 1,306 people), worry by 54% (about 1,052 people), and powerlessness by 51% (994 people). Respondents decided that in their view, reducing the number of flights, retrofitting, and the installation of solar panels/wind turbines would have the greatest impact on reducing carbon emissions. However, the department said that there was a misperception and that Ireland's lagging behind on the adoption of electric vehicles was not viewed correctly in this context. Other key findings within the report included the persisting of 'misconceptions' about actions that most effectively reduce carbon emissions. It said that 'many respondents' underestimate the benefits of adopting the use of an electric vehicle. The report recommends establishing community climate hubs, addressing misperceptions about electric vehicles, and enhancing cross-government collaboration on climate initiatives. Minister Darragh O'Brien said that the report 'provides us with a great understanding of the issues that our citizens and communities really care about when it comes to climate action'. 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
Irish Independent
20-06-2025
- Business
- Irish Independent
Solar powered CCTV in Louth to target illegal dumping
Concerns about the rise of illegal dumping were highlighted at the monthly meeting of Louth County Council. Councillors were told the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications had announced funding through the WERLA's to support Local Authorities in 2025 Anti-Dumping Initiative (ADI). Chief Executive David Conway outlined in his monthly management report: 'The 2025 ADI aims to reduce incidents of illegal dumping by identifying and delivering projects aimed at tackling illegal dumping 'black spots' throughout the county and adhere to key measures of prevention, abatement, education and awareness and enforcement. The Department continues to strongly encourage innovative projects, which recognise waste as a resource that can be repurposed for use in a Circular Economy.' A total of six project applications were submitted for approval under the ADI 2025 totalling €112,583.60. The Department approved funding of €100,783.60 for the completion of five projects including: Mattress and Sofa Amnesty Event – V&W Dundalk; Mattress and Sofa Amnesty Event – V&W Drogheda; Mattress and Soda Amnesty Collection Point – Ardee; Moneymore Lanes clean-up and a Solar Powered CCTV system at Williamsons Place, Dundalk. Cllr. Emma Coffey asked for an update on the Solar Powered CCTV system, asking for a timeline on when this might be delivered. She added that it was hoped this could be an initiative that could be used again, as it was likely to be more sustainable in terms of maintenance and upkeep. Director of Services, David Hanratty, explained that it has to be approved by the CCTV steering group, adding that there were increased privacy directives. This would not be a permanent fixture, and could operate on a temporary basis for a month or two. But, he pointed out that it was a piece of equipment that could be moved to other locations. The meeting heard the sofa and mattress amnesty events would be held in a similar way to previous years, in three civic amenity locations, Dundalk, Drogheda and Ardee.
Irish Independent
05-06-2025
- General
- Irish Independent
This Cork Tidy Towns group got largest grant for a travel project in the county under climate plan
The combined grants were issued by the Department of Environment, Climate and Communications and in partnership with Cork County Council, and the projects will continue to expand in line with sustainability development goals in Macroom. The strategic grants covered €110,000 of the €120,000 spent on the upgrades to widen the cycleway along Tom Creedon Park and the creation of a pathway in the Tiny Feet Fairy Garden. The cycleway was expanded from three feet wide to 10 feet wide, which is in line with Transport Infrastructure Ireland specifications. The combined grants were issued by the Department of Environment, Climate and Communications and in partnership with Cork County Council, and the projects will continue to expand in line with sustainability development goals in Macroom. Joseph Cronin, Projects Officer and Coordinator with Macroom Tidy Towns and Tiny Feet Fairy Garden Macroom said: 'The Macroom Tidy Towns initiated project in Tom Creedon Park was the largest Travel orientated project funded under the CCAP in Cork. 'The project combines connectivity, improved access for all modes of non-vehicular transport to leisure areas, shopping and local schools,' he said. Under the Cork Co. Council Climate Action Plan 2024-2029, Macroom was selected as the pilot decarbonisation zone town for county Cork. A lot of projects and initiatives since the beginning of 2024 are in relation to climate, biodiversity and sustainability throughout the community and in cooperation with local businesses. Chairperson of Macroom Tidy Towns and Independent Councillor Martin Coughlan said the work in Tom Creedon Park was needed for over 20 years. ADVERTISEMENT 'We saw the need for these projects, especially the ½ mile in the GAA grounds as the existing path was barely wide enough for one person to walk on at three 3 feet wide, let alone two way use for cycles, buggies or wheelchairs. 'We also decided to widen the concrete bridge connection between the Town Park and Tom Creedon Park ourselves with our own resources and the expertise and labour of our own volunteers,' Mr Coughlan said. Both organisations thanked the main contractor, Niall Murphy Tarmacadam, who laid over 2,000 square metres of tarmac to B1 specification. Lisa Manning, Secretary of both organisations said: 'A lot of preparation and planning went into these projects; the community are delighted with them and usage has increased tremendously. 'The Tom Creedon Park project is featured in our Tidy Towns submission this year and is also being entered in the special awards category,' she concluded.
RTÉ News
03-06-2025
- General
- RTÉ News
Rare cranes return to Offaly bog for seventh year
A pair of rare common cranes, which have previously nested at a bog in Co Offaly, have returned for a seventh consecutive year. The pair, which have successfully reared five chicks in the last three years, have been seen back at their favoured nesting site by an ecologist working for Bord na Móna (BnM). Following careful monitoring it has now been established that the pair are once again incubating eggs. The location of the nest is confidential in order to protect and conserve the birds. However, it is confirmed that the site is situated on a cutaway bog, formerly used to harvest peat for energy production. "These birds are now benefitting further from habitat improvements associated with BnM's Peatland Climate Action Scheme (PCAS)" said Chris Cullen, Ecologist at BnM, who has been monitoring the Cranes since 2022. "Over the last two breeding periods, the nesting pair and their young have been seen utilising recently rehabilitated cutaway peatlands for feeding and shelter" he said. "In addition, over the last number of years, several summering, but non-breeding individuals, have also been observed on other rehabilitated cutaway bogs in the Midlands" said Mr Cullen. "It appears a nascent breeding population is possibly becoming established, with clear links to rehabilitated peatlands in terms of usage" he added. The Peatland Climate Action Scheme is a large-scale peatlands restoration project administered by the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications and regulated by the National Parks and Wildlife Service. Over 20,000 hectares has been rehabilitated under this Scheme to date. It is hoped that the ongoing development of wetland habitats following rehabilitation under the present scheme will continue to support the expansion of this newly returned species in Ireland. The crane is deeply connected to the culture and history of Ireland. They have been central to folklore tales such as Fionn Mac Cumhaill, the druids, St Colmcille and the Book of Kells.
