Latest news with #LUAS
Agriland
28-05-2025
- Business
- Agriland
Green Party calls for rapid action to meet emissions targets
The Green Party has today (Wednesday, May 28) expressed concern at the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) projection that Ireland's climate progress has regressed. The party said it comes amid recent warnings from climate scientists that there is now a chance earth could exceed the critical 2°C warming threshold within the next five years. Total greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from the agriculture sector 'will range from a 1% increase to a 16% decrease over the period of 2018 to 2030″ according to the EPA report. However while the EPA has underlined the 'progress' the agriculture sector has made in relation to reducing GHG emissions, it has also warned that emissions from the Land Use, Land-use Change and Forestry (LULUCF) sector are projected to increase by up to 95%. Green Party Leader, Deputy Roderic O'Gorman stated: 'The Green Party in government delivered the lowest level of carbon emissions in 30 years, turning the tide on years of stagnation in progress. 'Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael need to bring the same level of urgency to reducing emissions – but that means heeding the warnings of the EPA and making the shift from policy aspiration to fast-tracking practical implementation.' Green Party on emissions report The Green Party proposes stepping up ambition and investment in sectors which it said are lagging behind in emissions progress, such as transport and buildings. Green Party spokesperson for climate, communications and energy, Ossian Smyth said: 'The changes that Ireland needs to catch up with the rest of Europe on climate will improve our daily quality of life. 'If we bring LUAS and commuter rail to our regional cities, help people in rural Ireland to buy EVs [electric vehicles], and make it safe for all children to walk and cycle to school, we will be back on the right track. 'We should be helping tenants and senior citizens with energy upgrades for their homes. If the rest of Europe is going to make these targets, there is no excuse for our Government to sit on their hands.' The Green Party stressed that EPA's report states that even under the most optimistic scenario — where every climate policy and measure planned by the government is implemented in full and on time — we would still only achieve a 23% reduction in emissions by 2030. The party is calling for further measures and innovative proposals across all sectors for rapid implementation to reach agreed targets. 'We call on the government to make a clear and renewed commitment to scaling-up climate ambition to reach our legally binding targets enshrined in the Climate Act,' the party has stated.
Extra.ie
25-05-2025
- Business
- Extra.ie
What are the Taxsaver Commuter Ticket Scheme changes coming into effect?
Public transport users are being warned of changes to the Taxsaver Commuter Ticket Scheme which come into effect from June. The Taxsaver Commuter Ticket Scheme reduces the cost of public transport with employees saving between 28.5% and 52% of travel costs due to tax, PRSI and USC savings. The scheme covers bus, rail and the LUAS in Dublin and employers have to apply for the scheme on behalf of their staff. Public transport users are warned of changes to the Taxsaver Commuter Ticket Scheme which come into effect from June. Pic: EQRoy/Shutterstock Types of tickets include monthly and annual tickets with monthly tickets valid for one calendar month (June 1 to June 30). Tickets can be used outside of office hours for personal travel. Citizen Information has confirmed that there will be a number of changes to the scheme from June 1 including some ticket prices and types changing. The scheme covers bus, rail and the LUAS in Dublin and employers have to apply for the scheme on behalf of their staff. Pic: Eamonn Farrell/ As well as a new zonal ticketing system and a new enhanced All Service ticket, the feeder service change between Dublin Heuston station and Dublin City Centre will be removed. The new zonal ticketing system for the Dublin Commuter Area will extend to about 50km outside the city centre, with ticket prices and types adjusted accordingly. One of the key changes is a new enhanced All Service ticket which will apply to Irish Rail; Dublin City Bus; Bus Éireann and the Luas. One of the key changes is a new enhanced All Service ticket which will apply to Irish Rail; Dublin City Bus; Bus Éireann and the Luas. Pic: Leah Farrell/ The changes only apply to Dublin commuters — Iarnród Éireann or Bus Éireann Taxsaver Products in Cork, Galway, Limerick and Waterford are not affected. Those interested in applying for the scheme must provide their employer with a digital photo of the ticket. Both the employer and employee sign a contract, subject to the rules of the scheme. The employer then applies for the required Tax Conditions and registers with the public transport provider. Companies must keep a receipt of purchases and a copy of the ticket for their own tax records. For more information on prices, go here.
New Straits Times
14-05-2025
- New Straits Times
Amirudin: Selangor plans RM1mil fine, jail term for polluters
KUALA LUMPUR: The Selangor Water Management Authority (LUAS) Enactment will be strengthened to ensure environmental polluters can be punished, including fines of up to RM1 million and mandatory imprisonment of up to three years. Selangor Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari said this includes adding provisions that empower state enforcement authorities to conduct thorough investigations, including prosecution. He said that although the sources of pollution were often identified, weaknesses in evidence gathering had resulted in many offenders escaping legal action. "For example, odour pollution takes between 18 and 24 hours to reach the Selangor dam. If something happens in Batang Kali, it takes about 15 to 16 hours to get here, and the evidence is gone by then. That is one of the challenges we face. "Sometimes we detect pollution, but cannot trace the source because it has already stopped – the culprit may have been 'responsible' enough to shut it down. "So, while we manage to contain the issue, unfortunately, we are unable to catch or prosecute the offender," he said when met by reporters after the handover ceremony of the Raw Water Guarantee Scheme (SJAM) Package A and C project yesterday. He also said very few polluters have been prosecuted under the amended LUAS Enactment, as the prosecution process falls under the Attorney-General's Chambers. "Some cases have been prosecuted under the Environmental Quality Act or other existing laws in the country. Investigations were conducted, and the public prosecutor carried out prosecution. "The public prosecutor has their discretion on which laws or regulations to apply, whether to use the Act or the Enactment. So far, no charges have been brought under the LUAS Enactment." Amirudin added that a comprehensive water master plan is being developed to address all issues related to water supply in Selangor. He said the plan would serve as a guideline for managing drought and excess rainfall. "The plan is expected to be completed within a year and will cover aspects such as water storage, locations of retention ponds, and long-term flood control systems, with over 100 ponds identified across the state."
The Star
13-05-2025
- Politics
- The Star
Selangor developing comprehensive plan to secure water supply, says MB
KUALA SELANGOR: Selangor is developing a master plan to address various aspects of the state's water supply, including storage and catchment pond locations. The master plan will serve as a guideline to manage both dry and rainy seasons. Selangor Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari stated that the Water Master Plan would cover all matters related to water supply comprehensively, including a long-term flood control system. According to Amirudin, the plan is expected to be completed within a year. "If there is less water, we will face supply problems, and if there is excess water, there will be floods. "This master plan will look comprehensively into both aspects," said Amirudin at an event where the Raw Water Guarantee Scheme (SJAM) Package A and C project was handed over to Pengurusan Air Selangor Sdn Bhd. Amirudin added that more than 100 water catchment ponds have been identified throughout Selangor, with most currently in the process of being gazetted as strategic storage areas. The state government's SJAM implementation will also be part of the Water Master Plan, with SJAM expected to ensure sufficient water supply for at least the next 50 years. On another matter, Amirudin said the Selangor Water Management Board (LUAS) enactment would be streamlined to punish those caught polluting the environment. He added that punishment could include fines up to RM1mil and a mandatory jail term not exceeding three years. Amirudin noted that despite identifying pollution causes, the burden of proof often results in offenders escaping legal action. "Smell pollution, for example, takes more than 18 to 24 hours to reach the Selangor dam. "Meaning that if anything occurs in Batang Kali it would take 15 to 16 hours for it to reach here, and evidence becomes erased. "That is one of the challenges we face," he added. He said the streamlining of the enactment would allow state government enforcement to carry out thorough investigations and prosecutions. Amirudin mentioned that sometimes pollution is detected, but the source cannot be identified when the party causing the pollution stops the act. "So, we can counter the pollution, but unfortunately we cannot detain and prosecute," said Amirudin. On the SJAM, Amirudin said handing over the two packages complemented two other packages already in operation, guaranteeing continuous water supply to four million residents of Selangor, Kuala Lumpur, and Putrajaya. He added that RM320mil has been spent on the SJAM to ensure water supply to 1.2 million consumer accounts, even in the event of pollution.
