Latest news with #MichaelFitzmaurice
Agriland
5 days ago
- Climate
- Agriland
Fitzmaurice: Fallen trees cause power failures after 'mild storm'
Independent Ireland TD Michael Fitzmaurice has called on the government to take immediate action on removing trees near electricity lines. The TD was speaking in the aftermath of Storm Floris, which left around 10,000 homes, farms and businesses without power yesterday (Monday, July 4) after gusts of nearly 100km/hr. ESB Networks confirmed that figure had fallen to approximately 2,700 customers by 5:00p.m. Deputy Fitzmaurice said the "light storm" left residents in the west of Ireland without electricity once again. He said the Ballinlough area had seen electricity lines fall, leaving homes without power just six months after new infrastructure had been installed. 'This is not acceptable. People who were left without power for 15 or 16 days during the last storm are now suffering again after a mere blow of wind. It is disgusting," he said. The Roscommon-Galway TD called on Minister for Energy Darragh O'Brien to issue "a clear instruction on tree cutting". He claimed that insufficient tree-cutting near power lines was at the root of the problem. "The ESB now needs to take this by the scruff of the neck and once and for all decide what they're doing and what they're not doing,' he said. The TD urged the government to 'forget about what people are objecting to' and take decisive action to remove all trees near to power lines. "They must be taken out it's that simple, whatever the distance is required get it done to put an end to this once and for all. 'It's way past time that a stop is put to this codswallop. Get out there and cut them trees and this will not happen again," Fitzmaurice added. The TD said it is "sickening" to see new power lines which were only put up six months ago being "flattened". "When are we going to cop on as a country and put people before everything else?' he said.
Agriland
5 days ago
- Climate
- Agriland
ESB: 200 customers still without power after Storm Floris
Customers remain without power after the storm ESB Networks has confirmed that approximately 200 customers remain impacted by power outages today, August 5, 2025, due to Storm Floris. Yesterday morning, Monday, August 4, around 10,000 homes, farms and businesses were left without power due to the storm. According to the ESB Networks, the main areas still affected include Sligo, Tuam, Ennis, and Athlone. A spokesperson for the ESB Networks said that crews continue to work to restore power in the affected areas. "We apologise to all homes, farms, and business impacted for the inconvenience caused," the spokesperson said. "If you come across fallen wires or damaged electricity network, never, ever touch or approach these as they are live and extremely dangerous." "Please report any damage to electricity infrastructure by calling 1800 372 999," the spokesperson added.. Separately, Independent Ireland TD Michael Fitzmaurice called on the government to take immediate action on removing trees near electricity lines. Speaking in the aftermath of the storm yesterday, August 4, Deputy Fitzmaurice said that the Ballinlough area had seen electricity lines fall, leaving homes without power just six months after new infrastructure had been installed. 'This is not acceptable. People who were left without power for 15 or 16 days during the last storm are now suffering again after a mere blow of wind. It is disgusting," he said. The Roscommon-Galway TD called on Minister for Energy Darragh O'Brien to issue "a clear instruction on tree cutting". He claimed that insufficient tree-cutting near power lines was at the root of the problem. "The ESB now needs to take this by the scruff of the neck and once and for all decide what they're doing and what they're not doing,' he said. The TD urged the government to 'forget about what people are objecting to' and take decisive action to remove all trees near to power lines. The TD said it is "sickening" to see new power lines which were only put up six months ago being "flattened". "When are we going to cop on as a country and put people before everything else?' he said.
Agriland
09-06-2025
- Politics
- Agriland
Fitzmaurice: People in rural areas still ‘left devastated' after storm
Nearly six months after Storm Eowyn, there are still some people in rural areas who have been 'left devastated and without phone lines', according to the Independent Ireland TD, Michael Fitzmaurice. Deputy Fitzmaurice has highlighted specifically that in parts of Roscommon and east Galway, the communication infrastructure has not yet been fully repaired. 'Areas like Cloonfad, Ballymoe, and a number of other areas are left devastated and without phone lines,' the deputy said in the Dáil recently. He has also pointed to the example of what has been going on in Creggs, 'where there are six communication lines for phones'. According to the Galway-Roscommon TD, local people had to 'get a ratchet strap' and tie a pole back. 'It broke and they had to do it again,' he added, and said that 'the pole is still thrown there'. Deputy Fitzmaurice is now calling on government ministers to 'put pressure on' and intervene to ensure that companies take responsibility for ensuring that the communications infrastructure in rural areas is repaired. He has acknowledged that 'in some cases they have gone back and repaired the broadband', however, the Galway-Roscommon TD has stressed that this is vital because 'the phone line is a lifeline to the elderly people for when you need your panic button'. But the TD has also asked that the 'communications regulator start taking the finger out to the likes of Éir because they should be ashamed of themselves the way they have treated the people who have been affected in that area'. Deputy Fiztmaurice Also in relation to the impact that recent storms have had on rural communities, the Galway-Roscommon TD has called for further action from government ministers in relation to ongoing forestry issues, particularly in relation to the 'huge amount of forestry' that has been burned. He wants a timeline from the government on when a reconstitution grant may be put in place to help people who have 'lost everything'. Deputy Fitzmaurice said: 'Whatever about the people in the windblown timber, at least they can try to cut it now and try to get it to sawmills, but where it has got burned, it is destroyed. 'You basically bring in a woodchipper and try to chip up whatever is there, but they have lost everything. 'In the coming months, when the government is doing the reconstitution grants, would it consider trying to include those people along with the windblown timber?'
Irish Independent
30-04-2025
- Business
- Irish Independent
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.
Agriland
30-04-2025
- Business
- Agriland
Fitzmaurice: ‘Every time the price of diesel goes up, farmers get hit'
Independent Ireland TD Michael Fitzmaurice has criticised the upcoming rise in carbon tax, which is set to increase tomorrow (May 1). The Roscommon-Galway TD has called the increase 'an insult to struggling families', and said it was time for politicians who previously campaigned against carbon tax increases to 'take a stand' against the measures. The Natural Gas Carbon Tax (NGCT) and Solid Fuel Carbon Tax (SFCT) rates are currently based on a charge of €56 per tonne of carbon dioxide emissions. Earlier this month (April 3) the Minister for Finance, Paschal Donohoe highlighted that the amount is legislated to increase to €63.50 on May 1, 2025 with further increases each May until 2030. According to Independent Ireland, this will add around €19 to a 900L-fill of home heating oil, €1.50 to a bag of coal, and 65c to a bale of briquettes. It also claims that gas customers will now pay approximately €138 per year in carbon tax alone, rising to €220 by 2030 'if the current trajectory continues'. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice Deputy Fitzmaurice believes the figures highlight 'just how disconnected government policy has become from the everyday reality facing families across the country'. He said: 'You've got people skipping meals to cover the ESB. You've got pensioners afraid to turn on the heating, and now they're being told the solution is more tax. 'Meanwhile, last year the government took in €1 billion in carbon tax receipts. Ask yourself, how many hospital beds would that buy? How many people could be taken out of emergency accommodation for that amount of money?' Independent Ireland is calling for a freeze on further carbon tax increases and for a 'fairer' energy plan that protects those with no viable alternatives, particularly in rural Ireland where home heating oil and solid fuels remain the only practical options. The party has said that Ireland's agricultural sector is also being hammered by the rising costs tied to carbon tax. Deputy Fitzmaurice said: 'Every time the price of diesel goes up, farmers take another hit. You can't move cattle or run a tractor on good intentions. 'The carbon tax is pushing up the cost of doing business, but farm incomes aren't keeping pace. The policy is not just economically damaging, but environmentally incoherent.' 'Small, sustainable Irish farms are being taxed at every turn and in many cases blamed for environmental issues, while it is in fact the state and its failure to address issues in water treatment plants that are having the greatest impact on things like water quality, but that is largely ignored,' he added.
