Latest news with #NaoiseÓMuirí
Irish Times
22-05-2025
- Politics
- Irish Times
TD questions why security staff not deployed on Dublin northside public transport
A northside Dublin TD has questioned why security personnel have been deployed on public transport on the city's southside but not on services north of the Liffey. Fine Gael Dublin Bay North TD Naoise Ó Muirí highlighted the disparity as he spoke of the 'urgent need for security personnel on public transport services in north Dublin, in particular during evening hours'. Speaking in the Dáil, he called for the deployment of An Garda Síochána or security personnel on Dart and bus services as part of the community-safety programme and said 'it is an issue of growing concern, particularly in areas such as Raheny, Donaghmede, Belmayne and Clongriffin'. Mr Ó Muirí said 'there is a question mark as to why the southside's services are manned but the northside's services are not'. READ MORE His party colleague Cllr Supriya Singh had consistently raised the issue and 'we have had a steady stream of incidents, including violent attacks at both Raheny and Clongriffin Dart stations within the past year. 'These are not isolated incidents. They reflect a pattern of escalating antisocial behaviour that if we do not address the behaviour, it will erode public confidence in the safety of our transport system.' Mr Ó Muirí said: 'this affects everyone but particularly women, older people and those travelling alone in the evening time. How can we encourage women to switch to or even use public transport if they do not feel safe? It is a public service and a safety issue.' Safety on public transport 'must be treated as a basic right not a privilege', he said. They had written to the National Transport Authority (NTA) 'but to date there appears to be little or no tangible progress'. 'Meanwhile, security personnel have been deployed on some southside routes last year. Why the delay on the northside of the city? When will we see a proper security presence on the ground, on buses and on trains in our communities,' he asked. Minister of State Jerry Buttimer acknowledged that 'antisocial behaviour on our public transport system needs to be addressed. It has been tolerated for far too long.' But he said a great deal of work had been done to address the issue including the establishment of a public transport safety working group. He said, however, 'it is important to note that decisions regarding the policing of public transport and the allocation of Garda resources are matters for the Minister of Justice and the Garda Commissioner. 'The allocation of security staff employed by the various operators, such as Dublin Bus, Irish Rail, and Transdev, are matters for the operators.' Mr Buttimer said the Government is committed to establishing a transport security force under the under the NTA 'which would operate and have similar powers to airport police and customs officers', but it requires the development of legislation and the 'deliberative process' on this is 'in the preliminary stages'. Mr Buttimer said he would raise the question of security personnel with the NTA and the Department of Transport and would come back to Mr Ó Muirí 'with the timeline for the northside personnel'.
Irish Daily Mirror
06-05-2025
- Business
- Irish Daily Mirror
Poll: Should Irish shoppers be charged for carrier bags?
The Irish Mirror is asking our readers if shoppers should be charged for carrier bags across stores. While a plastic bag levy has been in place in Ireland since 2002 as part of a bid to reduce the impact of bags on the environment, it hasn't been commonplace for shops in Ireland to place a levy on paper bags. That doesn't mean shops around the country aren't. There are a growing number in many counties, with Dublin North Bay Fine Gael Councillor Naoise Ó Muirí hitting out last year at the 'growing number' of retailers charging for paper bags, which she claimed was unfair on shoppers and contrary to sustainable shopping habits. Now high-street retailer Penneys has chosen to start charging shoppers for its signature brown paper carrier bags at checkout tills. Starting from next Monday (May 12), the company is introducing a 15 cent fee in a bid to reduce the amount of single-use waste. "Across our business we use thousands of paper bags every day,' Penneys' bosses said in a statement. 'While our paper bags are made from 100 per cent recycled and recyclable materials, we're always looking for ways to cut down on single-use waste. "That's why from May 12, 2025, we'll be introducing a 15c charge on all paper bags, whether small, medium, or large. Why the change? Research shows that introducing bag charges reduces the number of new bags customers use. It's a simple step that encourages all of us to think twice about our use. "We're committed to being part of the solution when it comes to clothing and non-clothing waste, and this change is just one of the small steps we're taking. We hope it inspires more customers to make the switch to reusable bags." Shoppers who want to avoid having to pay the 15c fee at checkout from next Monday are urged to bring their own reusable shopping bag on their next visit to Penneys. In light of this news, the Irish Mirror is asking readers if Irish shoppers should be charged for carrier bags? Let us know in our new poll below. Subscribe to our newsletter for the latest news from the Irish Mirror direct to your inbox: Sign up here.
Irish Independent
01-05-2025
- Business
- Irish Independent
Alcohol health labels could be delayed, Tánaiste says as campaigners warn against ‘falling for industry spin'
When the system is introduced, alcoholic drinks will be required to carry health warnings, including the risk of liver disease and warnings against consuming alcohol when pregnant. Labels will also have to carry the number of calories in the drink and the grammes of alcohol in the product. The regulations were signed into law in 2023, and gave businesses a three-year lead time to prepare for the changes. The new standardised labels were expected to be introduced by May 22, 2026. However, this timeline is now in doubt. In response to a question from Fine Gael TD Naoise Ó Muirí, the Tánaiste said the timeline was under consideration. 'I think this is something we do need to give consideration to in terms of the timeline for implementation,' Mr Harris said in the Dáil. Mr Harris said this was because of the ongoing economic uncertainty internationally as a result of US President Donald Trump's trade tariffs. 'We find ourselves in a very new trade environment and we always say we have try and control what we can control,' Mr Harris said. While Mr Harris said he could not confirm what decision the Government would make, he said the timeline should be considered due to 'concerns being expressed'. 'This is certainly something that merits at least considering in that space when we hear the concerns being expressed,' he said. ADVERTISEMENT 'I do think this falls into that category. I'm not in a position to say today what the exact decision Government will make but I can say the timeline around implementation is under consideration.' Alcohol Action Ireland said it was 'shocked' by the Tánaiste's comments. AAI chief executive Sheila Gilheany said: "At best it seems the Tánaiste has been duped by the alcohol industry's campaign of industry misinformation, at worst it looks like he is willing to put the profits of shareholders in alcohol companies before the health and wellbeing of Irish citizens. 'Labelling of alcohol products is a health issue and has nothing to do with Ireland's exports as the regulations only apply to products sold in Ireland. "While in relation to imports, or home-produced products, the legal onus is on retailers, not producers/manufacturers, to ensure products are labelled. Therefore, a supermarket, or off-licence, can simply add a sticker to the product. Linking labelling to the 'trading environment' is an industry red-herring and it should be called out as such by politicians.' She said the 'modest' labels had been extensively discussed for years and gone through all the proper notification processes internationally, and are due to come into effect in May 2026. 'However, they have been vehemently opposed by the alcohol industry which is using every possible tactic to derail them,' said Ms Gilheany. 'It is deeply disappointing that Simon Harris, who as Minister for Health steered through the Public Health (Alcohol) Act in 2018 which gave rise to the regulations, now appears to have fallen for industry spin. During the many years of discussion on the legislation, Simon Harris, saw at first hand the ferocious lobbying by the alcohol industry against any measure which seeks to improve public health. Previous tactics have included denying the health risks from alcohol. Claims now about trading environments should be taken with a large pinch of salt.' Ms Gilheany added that since the idea of a delay was first raised by Finance Minister Paschal Donohoe last month, more than 75 health, social and community organisations, academics and advocates have come together to voice strong opposition to the move, writing an open letter to the Taoiseach, the Tánaiste and current Health Minister Jennifer Carroll MacNeill, opposing any delay. Last month Enterprise Minister Peter Burke said the changes were being examined as the Government looked to protect the competitiveness of Irish businesses. Speaking on Newstalk, Mr Burke was asked whether the labels on alcohol products would go ahead or if a pause was being considered. '[The regulations] are currently under consideration. Obviously, the regulations come from the Department of Health, but we have a very close eye on our competitiveness," he said. In April, Mr Burke brought a proposal to the Cabinet Subcommittee on the Economy which included a competitiveness strategy as well as a number of areas where the government could achieve 'quick wins' for businesses. 'There's a number of key areas, I think, where we can get quick wins now and try and get them in train before the summer,' Mr Burke said. 'That will send a very strong signal to businesses that we're very serious about our competitive piece,' he added.
