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Euronews
6 days ago
- Politics
- Euronews
Greece unveils national plan to tackle worsening water scarcity
Prime Minister of Greece Kyriakos Mitsotakis has just presented a plan on how to deal with the country's growing water scarcity problem during a special meeting at the Maximou Mansion. The national plan addresses the urgent need for reform, with the aim of preparing Greece for the major challenges of the next 30 years. Kyriakos Mitsotakis stressed that water is and will remain a public good and a resource of vital importance and that it must be treated as such. The meeting included a detailed presentation of scientific data, which clearly shows the magnitude of the problem the climate crisis is causing in all Mediterranean countries, taking into account that Europe is the fastest-warming continent in the world. According to the data, Greece ranks 19th in the world in terms of the risk of water scarcity. Dam levels are at historically low levels, and reservoirs in Attica are now more than 50 per cent lower than in 2022. The Greek government's decisions on water Against this background, Greece is looking at a more holistic way of dealing with the issue compared to the fragmentation between different actors that exists today. The government is implementing a radical change in the country's water management model to a more functional system, with greater efficiency and more investment. New technologies will be used, as well as complementary ways of producing water, such as desalination. The five main pillars of the plan are: - Water is and will remain a public good, as provided for in the Constitution and the case law of the Council of State - Sustainable water supply, irrigation and wastewater companies, aiming at acceptable costs for all uses. - Holistic planning and centralised management of all necessary projects, large and small - Urgent initiatives over the next six months, combined with an information and awareness-raising campaign - New technologies and complementary ways of producing water (desalination, recycling and reuse) The planning will also lay the foundations for the implementation of projects already underway or under consideration. More than 1,200 water management and recovery projects are currently underway, of which 1,090 are for water supply and 237 for irrigation. It is noted that these projects are in addition to the 278 projects already completed from 2019 to date.
Extra.ie
22-07-2025
- Politics
- Extra.ie
Academic Deirdre Heenan in frame for FF Áras bid
Fianna Fáil backbenchers believe Northern university professor Deirdre Heenan 'ticks a lot of Mary McAleese boxes' as she edges closer to becoming the party's presidential candidate. The party is seeking to emulate its success in the 1997 presidential election when Ms McAleese, a Belfast lawyer and academic, won the election after getting the backing of FF. spoke with several Fianna Fáil sources yesterday, with broad support for Ms Heenan despite some concern raised about 'lack of name recognition'. Professor Deirdre Heenan. Pic: Sasko Lazarov/Photocall Ireland Several of the party sources contacted by this newspaper said that they first came across Ms Heenan when she spoke at a party event in UCD to commemorate the 25th anniversary of the Good Friday Agreement. 'I wasn't surprised to hear her name as she ticks a lot of Mary McAleese boxes. She was very impressive when she spoke at the Good Friday event and would fit the mould of what Micheál [Martin] would want,' they said. At the event, Ms Heenan, a professor of social policy, was on stage alongside former Fianna Fáil leader and taoiseach Bertie Ahern, former minister Martin Mansergh, as well as Mr Martin. Professor Deirdre Heenan and Former Taoiseach Bertie Ahern in 2013. Pic: Colin Keegan, Collins Dublin. 'She was very impressive, and really challenging about the Good Friday Agreement. She spoke about how too many people sit back and applaud the GFA, when, in her view, it is not yet complete, and that we can't afford to rest on our laurels. She was the most impressive speaker that day,' the source said. A separate party source who also attended the UCD event said her selection would be a 'fresh approach' and she had the benefit of 'not having built up a lot of enemies in the political system as she hasn't been part of it'. In 2012, Ms Heenan was appointed by President Michael D Higgins to his Council of State. The Council of State advises the President when they are considering referring a bill to the Supreme Court to test its constitutionality, refusing to dissolve the Dáil on the advice from the Taoiseach or declaring a state of emergency. The sources said that presidential elections cost a lot of money and that they don't offer much return to the party. 'If you introduce a candidate, like Deirdre, from the six counties and use it not only as to put someone forward for the presidency but to also lead the conversation about what a United Ireland looks like, that could be worthwhile.' Ms Heenan is from Annaclone in Co. Down, educated at Banbridge Academy and Ulster University and lives in Derry with her husband and three sons. She did not reply to a request for comment last night.
Bangkok Post
15-07-2025
- Business
- Bangkok Post
Cabinet preps Financial Hub Bill draft
The cabinet is preparing to propose the draft Financial Hub Bill for parliamentary deliberation in the near future. According to Deputy Finance Minister Paopoom Rojanasakul, the Council of State has already completed its review of the draft law. The next step will be to present it to parliament for consideration in its first reading. "This draft law will establish an ecosystem that aligns with the needs of global financial companies," said Mr Paopoom. The proposed Financial Hub Act aims to elevate Thailand into a regional financial centre by overhauling the licensing and regulatory framework under the Financial Hub initiative, making it comprehensive and business-friendly. The draft law is designed to attract investment by streamlining operations and establishing a central agency to set policies that promote Thailand as a financial hub. It also lays out strategies to develop the financial industry ecosystem, including workforce development and infrastructure improvements to meet the demands of leading global financial firms. The draft law will define target businesses within the Financial Hub and establish the Office of the Regulatory and Promotion Committee for the Financial Business Hub as a One-Stop Authority (OSA). It will define qualifications for business operators, licensing procedures, investor incentives and regulatory frameworks that are efficient and aligned with international standards. The draft law approved by the cabinet contains nine chapters and 94 sections, including General Provisions, which specifies the effective date of the Financial Hub Act and relevant definitions. Chapter 1 – Regulatory and Promotion Committee for the Financial Business Hub, which outlines the structure and authority of the committee responsible for comprehensive oversight of the Financial Hub, including setting business guidelines, issuing licences, inspecting operations and revoking licences. Chapter 2 – Office of the Committee, which establishes the OSA to provide one-stop services and facilitate businesses in licensing and receiving incentives. Chapter 3 – The director, who specifies qualifications and the appointment process for the executive managing the Office. Chapter 4 – Licensing of Target Businesses, defining types and scopes of businesses eligible for licences, and the characteristics of legal entities seeking to operate within the Financial Hub. Chapter 5 – Promotion of Incentives, outlining the benefits and incentives available to businesses established under the Financial Hub framework. Chapter 6 – Supervision of Businesses under Promotion, establishing regulatory standards for businesses within the Financial Hub, covering financial institutions, securities firms and insurance businesses, aligned with current regulatory practices. Chapter 7 – Officials, granting officials the authority to inspect the operations of businesses within the hub. Chapters 8 and 9 – Administrative Sanctions and Criminal Penalties, setting forth penalties for non-compliance with the Act's rules and conditions.
Belfast Telegraph
14-07-2025
- Politics
- Belfast Telegraph
DUP junior minister lays wreath at Irish National War Memorial Gardens
The gardens in Islandbridge, a Dublin suburb, are dedicated to the memory of the 49,400 Irish soldiers who died in the First World War. Ceremonies took place across the Republic to honour all Irish casualties who died in wars or on service with the United Nations and other international organisations. DUP junior minister Pam Cameron tweeted that it had been 'an absolute privilege to have laid a wreath on behalf of the deputy First Minister (Emma Little-Pengelly) and the Northern Ireland Executive this 12th of July at the Annual Ceremony of Remembrance, Irish National War Memorial Gardens. #lestweforget' Irish President Michael D Higgins laid a wreath at the Royal Hospital Kilmainham in Dublin, which was also attended by Taoiseach Micheal Martin, Tanaiste Simon Harris, other government ministers and members of the Council of State. It was the 14th National Day of Commemoration attended by Mr Higgins as president and the last before he leaves office later this year. Former Presbyterian Moderator, the Very Rev Dr David Bruce, represented the Church at the event in Kilmainham. Speaking about the event, Dr Bruce said that it has always been 'a great sense of privilege personally, and for the Presbyterian community as a whole, to take part in this national commemoration'. Representatives from veterans' organisations, the diplomatic corps and the defence forces were also in attendance. Mr Martin told the ceremony: 'It is fitting that we remember here today all those Irishmen and Irishwomen who died in past wars or on military service with United Nations or other international organisations in the service of peace.' An act of commemoration was led by leaders from various faiths. The ceremony concluded with a wreath-laying by President Higgins on behalf of the people of Ireland, followed by a fly-past by the Air Corps. Ceremonies were also held in Cork, Galway, Kilkenny, Limerick and Waterford, with an event in Sligo due later in the day.
Irish Independent
14-07-2025
- Politics
- Irish Independent
President Michael D Higgins lays wreath to honour fallen Irish troops on National Day of Commemoration
Ceremonies took place yesterday across the country to honour all Irish casualties who died in wars or on service with the United Nations and other international organisations. The Dublin event at the Royal Hospital Kilmainham was also attended by Taoiseach Micheál Martin, Tánaiste Simon Harris, other government ministers and members of the Council of State. It was the 14th National Day of Commemoration attended by Mr Higgins as president and the last before he leaves office later this year. Representatives from veterans' organisations, the diplomatic corps and the defence forces were also in attendance. Mr Martin told the ceremony: 'It is fitting that we remember here today all those Irishmen and Irishwomen who died in past wars or on military service with United Nations or other international organisations in the service of peace.' The ceremony concluded with a wreath-laying by Mr Higgins, followed by a fly-past by the Air Corps.
