Finance « Thurles Information

Government Prepares For Potential Summer Electricity Increases.

The Government has warned that electricity prices may rise modestly over the coming months, as global energy market pressures continue to create uncertainty for households and businesses across Ireland.
Minister for Energy Mr Darragh O’Brien said electricity costs could increase by between 4% and 9% during the summer period, with potential changes expected from May through July. He described the current market conditions as “very volatile,” pointing to rising international fuel costs driven by geopolitical tensions.

While acknowledging broader concerns about significant price hikes, the Minister emphasised that electricity increases are expected to remain in the single-digit range, depending on individual suppliers and their pricing strategies, including hedging arrangements.
Gas prices, however, may see higher increases, though not to the levels of 30% suggested in some commentary.

Government Response and Supports.
The Government has already introduced a €750 million cost-of-living support package, one of the largest in Europe, aimed at helping households manage rising energy costs. Measures include targeted supports such as fuel allowances, now reaching approximately 470,000 households nationwide.

Minister O’Brien reaffirmed that the Government will remain “flexible and nimble” in responding to further price pressures, with additional supports, including potential energy credits, not ruled out ahead of Budget discussions in October. The Minister also confirmed plans to reintroduce the energy levy in the upcoming Budget, while noting that the carbon tax has been temporarily paused to ease financial pressure on households and businesses.

Focus on Long-Term Solutions.
In addition to short-term supports, the Government is prioritising long-term cost reduction measures, including expanded grants for home retrofitting and energy efficiency improvements. These initiatives are designed to help households reduce reliance on volatile energy markets and lower bills sustainably.
Minister O’Brien stressed that while immediate pressures are being addressed, there will be “no rolling back” on climate commitments, with efforts continuing to transition towards more secure and sustainable energy sources.

Monitoring Fuel Price Transparency.
Separately, the Minister has requested that the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC) enhance its monitoring of fuel price fluctuations. This follows sharp increases in global oil prices linked to international conflict, which have raised concerns about pricing transparency.
While recent findings attribute fuel price spikes primarily to higher wholesale costs, the Government has emphasised the importance of ensuring fair pricing and consumer protection, particularly during periods of crisis.

Outlook.
Ireland’s energy supply remains secure, but global pressures are expected to continue influencing prices in the months ahead. The Government has committed to closely monitoring developments and taking further action where necessary to support households and businesses.

Thurles Fuel & Cost-Of-Living Protest Event An Anticlimax, After High Anticipation.

Mixing financial obligations with personal relationships within political parties, often causes strain, resentment, and the potential dissolution of close bonds.

A fuel and cost-of-living protest took place in Thurles this afternoon, Saturday, April 18th, organised by Sinn Féin representative Mr Dan Harty. The demonstration formed part of wider national actions responding to rising fuel prices and ongoing cost-of-living pressures.

The protest assembled at the Munster Hotel car park before proceeding toward Liberty Square, a central commercial hub in the town. Organisers had previously stated the event would be peaceful and intended to minimise disruption to traffic and local business activity.

Local observations suggest that turnout on the day was extremely modest. While the event proceeded through the town centre, well stretched out to look larger, many shoppers had reportedly conducted their business much earlier than usual in anticipation of potential delays.

Thurles’ notably wide footpaths, capable of accommodating significant pedestrian movement, however remained unused; with the demonstration led by a only one Irish flag, moved along a key route around Liberty Square, drawing attention only, by affecting the normal flow of traffic activity in the area.
No police were in attendance and official reports state that no significant incidents arose from the 40 only individuals who attended the protest gathering.

**Montgomery *“Monty”* McQueen massive attraction at Tipperary Raceway in Rosegreen, Co. Tipperary**.
*Picture: G. Willoughby*.

Meanwhile, in just a 20 minute drive away from Thurles, a massive crowd turned up to support an English Child Bereavement Charity, which featured a created model of disney’s Montgomery “Monty” McQueen, more commonly called “Lightning McQueen”, from the movie “Cars”.
Same anthropomorphic stock car is the protagonist of the Disney/Pixar Cars and made a welcome appearance at Tipperary Raceway in Rosegreen, Co. Tipperary; Ireland’s popular premier Hot Rod oval raceway to the delight of all.

Thurles Sinn Féin Protest Set To Disrupt Town As Questions Grow Over Judgment and Impact.

A fuel and cost-of-living protest is set to take place in Thurles this Saturday, April 18th, with organisers urging a public turnout in the town centre.

The demonstration, organised by Sinn Féin representative Mr Dan Harty, is due to assemble in the Munster Hotel car park before proceeding to Liberty Square at approximately 2:30pm.

However, the decision to stage yet another protest in the heart of Thurles is already being met with growing frustration locally, particularly among business owners and residents who have seen at first-hand the disruption caused by similar demonstrations nationwide in recent days.

Across Ireland, recent fuel protests have led to gridlock, blocked roads, and major disruption to daily life, including key routes and town centres. These events have not only delayed commuters but also interfered with trade, deliveries, and normal business activity.

Against that backdrop, many are now asking why Thurles; an already congested town on a busy weekend, has been chosen as the venue for another large gathering.

Liberty Square is a central commercial hub. Even limited disruption at peak times can have an outsized effect on small businesses, many of which are already under pressure from rising energy and operating costs. For traders trying to keep doors open, any reduction in access or footfall is not a minor inconvenience, it is a direct hit.

Critics argue that while people have every right to protest, repeating tactics that have already caused widespread disruption, risks alienating the very communities such movements claim to represent.

There are also growing questions about whether protests of this nature are achieving anything tangible, or simply creating further pressure on towns and local economies, without delivering any real meaningful outcomes.
The organiser of the event, Sinn Féin representative Mr Dan Harty, previously had a fairly modest result in the 2024 local elections in the Thurles LEA, with only an 8% share of first-preference votes numbering just 742. This left him below the quota and behind all other elected candidates, to be eliminated relatively early, due to his support base being relatively small compared to the other leading candidates.

The heavy cost of fuel, driven mainly by global supply disruptions, and with the protest expected to draw a flag waving crowd, into an already busy town centre; the focus now shifts to the real impact on Thurles town itself, its streets, its businesses, and the people who rely upon both.

As frustration mounts, many will be watching closely to see whether this latest demonstration reflects responsible leadership, or simply a continuation of disruption that local communities can ill afford.

End Of An Era: PTSB Sale Signals New Chapter For Irish Banking.

In a landmark move for Ireland’s financial sector, Permanent TSB (PTSB) is set to be acquired by Austria’s BAWAG Group in a deal valued at approximately €1.6 billion. The agreement marks a significant milestone; not just for the bank itself, but for the Irish State, which is finally exiting its last remaining stake in the country’s banking system, following the financial crisis.

The Government has agreed to sell its 57.5% shareholding in PTSB for around €931 million, based on an offer price of €2.97 per share. While shares dipped slightly following the announcement, the broader significance of the deal lies in what it represents: the closing chapter of a turbulent period that began with the 2008 banking collapse.

Back then, Irish taxpayers stepped in to rescue the banking system, investing billions to stabilise institutions like PTSB. In total, €3.9 billion was injected into the bank. Over time, through dividends, fees, and share sales, the State has recovered approximately €4 billion, bringing the overall return slightly above break-even when combined with other bank investments.

**PTSB Thurles Branch**.
*Pic: G. Willoughby.*

For customers, including those served by PTSB’s branch in Thurles, Co. Tipperary, the message is reassuring: it’s business as usual. The bank has emphasised that day-to-day services, accounts, and customer support will not be disrupted by the transition. Instead, the acquisition is being positioned as an opportunity to enhance services and expand offerings.

BAWAG Group, headquartered in Vienna, operates across several European countries as well as the US and UK, serving around four million customers. Its focus on retail banking and small-to-medium enterprises aligns closely with PTSB’s core business, making the deal a strategic fit. The combined entity is expected to become a stronger challenger to Ireland’s dominant banks, potentially increasing competition and improving customer choice.

PTSB’s leadership has expressed confidence in the new ownership. Chair Julie O’Neill highlighted the “long-term ambition, capability and capital” that BAWAG brings, while CEO Eamonn Crowley noted the potential for growth and innovation. From BAWAG’s perspective, the acquisition represents a key step in building a broader European and US banking platform.

Irish Minister for Finance Mr Simon Harris described the deal as one of the most significant developments in Ireland’s retail banking market in over a decade. He emphasised that the sale not only delivers value back to taxpayers, but also supports the ongoing normalisation of the banking sector.

Importantly, this transaction follows the State’s earlier exits from AIB and Bank of Ireland, completing a long process of unwinding public ownership in Irish banks. It also reflects renewed international confidence in Ireland’s economy and financial system.

As the deal progresses; subject to regulatory approvals, the focus will shift to integration and future growth. For communities across Ireland, including towns like Thurles, the hope is that this new chapter will bring stronger services, increased competition, and continued investment in local banking.

In many ways, this isn’t just a sale, it’s a signal that Ireland’s banking sector has come full circle.

Ambulance Staff Set For Strike Action In Escalating Pay Dispute.

The Services Industrial Professional and Technical Union (SIPTU) has formally notified the National Ambulance Service (NAS) of planned strike action next month, marking a significant escalation in a long-running dispute with the Health Service Executive (HSE) over pay and working conditions.

Around 2,000 SIPTU members working across the ambulance service in Ireland, including Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs), paramedics, advanced paramedics, specialist paramedics and supervisors, have voted overwhelmingly in favour of industrial action, up to and including full strike action.

The planned industrial action will begin with a 24-hour strike on 12 May, followed by a 48-hour stoppage starting on 19 May and a 72-hour stoppage from 26 May. Further strikes are also scheduled for June.

In addition, a work-to-rule will commence on 11 May, meaning staff will not cooperate with new procedures or changes introduced by management.

The dispute centres on the HSE’s failure to implement recommendations from an independent review published in 2020, which called for updated salary scales to reflect the increased responsibilities and workload of ambulance staff over the past two decades.

According to SIPTU, ambulance personnel now provide a far higher level of pre-hospital care than in the past, requiring additional training, qualifications and clinical decision making. The union argues that despite these expanded duties,including a significant increase in medication administration, staff pay and grading structures have not been updated to reflect these changes.