Author: Denis Carr

ENVIRONMENT MINISTER EAMON Ryan has doubled down on his comments that there has been no pause on plans to regulate the sale and distribution of turf from September.

His comments are contrary to those made by the Tánaiste Leo Varadkar last night to his parliamentary members.
The new regulations would not prevent people who own part of a bog from cutting and burning turf but would impact the sale and distribution of the fossil fuel.

Leo Varadkar told Fine Gael TDs that the regulations set to come in later this year have been paused, but this has been denied this morning. The Tánaiste said removing turf cutting from rural Ireland is like removing wine from the French or pasta from the Italians, according to sources.

SEE FULL STORY:  https://www.thejournal.ie/ban-on-sale-of-turf-ireland-5738729-Apr2022

 

PLANS TO REGULATE the sale and distribution of turf from September has been paused, Leo Varadkar has told Fine Gael TDs this evening.

Speaking during a briefing with party members online, the Tánaiste said removing turf cutting from rural Ireland is like removing wine from the French or pasta from the Italians, according to sources.

His comments come just hours after Environment Minister Eamon Ryan defended the plan stating that action must be taken to improve air quality.

SEE FULL STORY:  https://www.thejournal.ie/regulation-sale-and-distribution-turf-eamon-ryan-5737816-Apr2022

 

Forget Tony Holohan, have you heard about this?

This is a tale of overpriced masks, Whatsapp chats and angry yummy mummies. Strap yourself in and read about how the HSE recruited the company that created a “scam” festival for families to import masks and ventilators during the PPE shortage.

Irish-based events management company, Roqu Media International Limited were recruited to import medical ventilators and other supplies for use in Irish hospitals at the very start of the pandemic. In March 2020, the HSE paid the company 14.1 million euro for ventilators from China which were never used due to “issues with the quality”.

SEE FULL STORY:  https://districtmagazine.ie/features/hse-paid-organisers-of-fyre-festival-for-kids-1-4-million-euro-to-import-ventilators

Families that heat their homes with oil will miss out on moves to address the cost of living crisis by cutting energy Vat rates.

The Government will today announce plans to cut Vat on electricity and gas to ensure homeowners are not impacted by environmental tax increase.

However, they were unable to secure a deal with the EU to allow them also reduce Vat on home heating oil.

This means the proposed carbon tax increase will mean a 900 litre tank of kerosene will go up by €19.40 next month.

Government leaders agreed on Monday night that Vat on electricity and gas will reduce from 13.5pc to 9pc.

Families are still facing an almost €20 increase in their energy bill next month despite Government commitments to offset carbon tax increases.

SEE FULL STORY:  https://www.independent.ie/irish-news/out-in-the-cold-no-vat-cuts-for-families-who-rely-on-home-heating-oil-41548661.html

Controversial MEPs Mick Wallace and Clare Daly have initiated defamation proceedings against RTÉ.

Lawyers for the outspoken politicians filed papers with the High Court on Monday but have yet to reveal what specific programme or comments the cases relate to.

Last month, the duo were two of just 13 MEPs who voted against a European Parliament resolution condemned Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

Mr Wallace and Ms Daly said they could not support it because it also stated support for NATO and called for weapons to be sent to Ukraine.

SEE FULL STORY: https://www.independent.ie/irish-news/news/meps-mick-wallace-and-clare-daly-sue-rte-41545192.html

The Irish Department of Transport has directed ports to refuse entry to Russian-registered vessels in light of the country’s military attack on Ukraine.
Effective next Sunday, this decision will impact ships, yachts and recreational craft registered under Russia’s flag.

It will also affect vessels that changed their registration from the Russian Federation to another state after the start of the Ukraine conflict on 24 February.
The ban forms part of the EU’s fifth package of sanctions against Russia for its Ukraine offensive.

SEE FULL STORY: https://www.breakingnews.ie/ireland/irish-ports-to-deny-access-to-russian-registered-vehicles-1288825.html

APPLICATIONS FOR THE basic income for the arts pilot scheme opened from 1pm this afternoon. The scheme is being run by the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media and will examine the impact of a basic income on artists and creative arts workers.

Payments of €325 per week will be made to 2,000 eligible artists and creative arts workers who will be selected at random and invited to take part.

Culture Minister Catherine Martin has allocated €25 million as part of Budget 2022 to the scheme, which aims to stem the flow of creative people out of the arts sector.

It’s envisaged that the income support will encourage creative arts workers to focus on their craft without having to enter into employment in other sectors to sustain themselves.

SEE MORE ON THE SCHEME AND HOW TO APPLY:  https://www.citizensinformation.ie/en/employment/unemployment_and_redundancy/employment_support_schemes/basic_income_arts.html

Are you an Artist? (Drawing the Dole doesn’t count)!

The new Basic Income for the Arts pilot scheme opens for applications tomorrow, 12nd April 2022 and will close on 12th May 2022.

Under the scheme, artists and creative arts workers can get a guaranteed weekly payment of €325 – while still earning more from their artistic endeavors.

2,000 eligible artists will be selected at random for the pilot scheme which will run over 3 years, from 2022 to 2025.

SEE MORE ON THE SCHEME AND HOW TO APPLY:  https://www.citizensinformation.ie/en/employment/unemployment_and_redundancy/employment_support_schemes/basic_income_arts.html

Opposition to a ban on the sale and distribution of turf due to be introduced in September by the Minister for the Environment is mounting in Kerry and other areas, where thousands of households depend on turf for winter fuel.

Independent TD for Roscommon-East Galway Michael Fitzmaurice said the language “distribution and sale” was reminiscent of cannabis or cocaine distribution.

It would prohibit people from giving turf they had cut to an elderly neighbour for instance, he said on Radio Kerry.

Fine Gael Councillor Michael Foley, from Ballylongford in the Listowel electoral area, said households in north Kerry were “totally reliant on turf” and the ban, announced in April and due in September, “does not amount to a just transition” as required.

“We rely on turf, myself included. Just to cut it off like that is the straw that will break the camel’s back,” Cllr Foley said on Radio Kerry on Monday.

SEE  FULL STORY:  https://www.independent.ie/business/farming/news/farming-news/minister-eamon-ryan-to-ban-sale-and-distribution-of-turf-41541705.html