Finance « Thurles Information

Government Announces Extended Fuel Relief Measures.

Government Announces Extended Fuel Relief Measures as Pressure Mounts to End Disruptive Protests.

The Government has confirmed a further extension of fuel cost relief measures, as Taoiseach Mr Micheál Martin announced new steps aimed at easing the financial burden on households and businesses amid ongoing nationwide protests.

Under the revised plan, temporary reductions in excise duty on petrol, diesel, and marked gas oil will now remain in place until the end of July, rather than expiring at the end of May.

The updated measures include:

A 10 cent per litre reduction on both petrol and diesel.
A 2.4 cent per litre reduction on marked gas oil (“green diesel”).
A deferral of the planned carbon tax increase, originally due in May, now postponed until the Budget in October.

These steps are intended to provide immediate cost relief in response to sustained increases in fuel prices linked to global supply pressures.

Despite these concessions, significant disruption continues across the country as protest actions, largely organised via informal networks of transport operators, farmers, and drivers, have blocked key transport routes and fuel depots.

The Government has reiterated that it recognises the financial strain facing those in fuel-dependent sectors. However, it has strongly criticised the ongoing blockades, warning that such actions are having serious and disproportionate consequences for the general public.

With schools reopening and workers returning after the weekend, the continuation of these protests risks widespread impact on daily life. Commuters face delays, families are affected in getting children to school, and essential services, including healthcare and emergency response, remain under pressure due to fuel supply concerns and traffic disruption.

The obstruction of critical infrastructure, including fuel depots and major roadways, has also raised concerns about the availability of medicines, agricultural supplies, and other time-sensitive deliveries.
Authorities, including An Garda Síochána, have now moved into an enforcement phase, and the Defence Forces remain on standby to assist in removing vehicles where necessary.

Public Interest and Proportionality.
While the Government’s latest measures demonstrate a willingness to respond to rising costs, the continuation of large-scale disruption raises serious questions about proportionality.

The burden of these protests is not being carried by policymakers alone, it is being felt most acutely by ordinary members of the public. Workers attempting to commute, parents preparing for the school week, and vulnerable individuals relying on timely access to services are all directly affected.

In this context, the persistence of blockades appears increasingly difficult to justify, particularly as concrete measures have now been introduced to address core concerns around fuel pricing.

The Government has urged all participants to disengage from disruptive actions and instead pursue dialogue through established representative bodies, emphasising that meaningful progress can only be achieved without jeopardising public safety and national infrastructure.

Further developments are expected in the coming days as pressure intensifies to restore normality across the country.

Tipperary County Council: World Leaders in Revenue Collection.

Tipperary County Council: World Leaders in Revenue Collection, but still Struggling With… Roads.

Tipperary County Council has proudly confirmed that it extracted a tidy €308,112 in parking fines in 2025, proving once again that when it comes to collecting money, efficiency is not an issue.

Fixing roads, however, remains a bold and experimental concept. See in particular Emmett Street, Westgate junction, Barry’s Bridge etc. etc. here in Thurles,

Across nine towns, thousands of motorists were “caught red-handed”, — “embarrassed even”, according to local press reports, having been photographed by traffic wardens, committing the heinous crime of allowing two wheels to exist slightly outside a faded white line or failing to have their hair permed within the 15 minute permitted free time frame.

Thurles, notably, now continues to excel in two key areas:
(1) Generating revenue.
(2) Avoiding pothole repairs.

Of course, as one would expect, Clonmel led the charge with 2,469 fines, followed by Nenagh with 1,346 fines, Thurles (God help us in a town where most car parks were closed in 2025) 1,258 fines, while Carrick-on-Suir tried and failed to catch-up with a mere 1,052 fines.

A further breakdown reveals a more refined vehicle operator:
Tipperary Town: 914 fines.
Cashel: 548 fines.
Templemore: 267 fines.
Roscrea: 256 fines.
Cahir: took the wooden spoon, with a miserable 142 fines only.
Still all admirable figures, if the goal is to run a highly efficient penalty collection service, rather than maintain public infrastructure.

Motorists are charged €40 – €80 for parking offences, rising by 50% after 28 days, because nothing says “public service” like interest rates that would impress a credit card company.

Other highlights include:
♣ €60 for failing to display a tax disc.
♣ In keeping with Health & Safety, No Charge for failing to display a NCT disk.
♣ €150 for parking in a disabled space.

Meanwhile, in Thurles, the surface of Barry’s Bridge is once again disintegrating, bravely demonstrating the council’s innovative “Natural Erosion Management Strategy.”

Residents are reportedly delighted to see their contributions; over €300,000 worth, being reinvested into… somewhere; possibly sending salaried staff on St Patrick’s weekend junkets; but certainly not road surfaces.

A spokesperson, (latter who does not wish to be named), standing carefully to avoid loose flying gravel, stated: “We take great pride in maintaining strict parking enforcement, while also maintaining a flexible, evolving interpretation of the word ‘roadworthy.”

Local drivers have expressed confusion, noting that while their tyres are expected to meet exact legal standards, the road beneath them appears to be auditioning for a gravel pit.
Experts confirm that if potholes themselves could be fined, Tipperary County Council would likely be running a budget surplus.

Until then, motorists are advised to:
♦ Display their tickets correctly facing upwards.
♦ Pay promptly.
♦ Have a suspension system worthy of Dakar Rally conditions▲ when crossing Barry’s Bridge.
{▲The Dakar Rally is considered the world’s most challenging endurance motorsport event, held annually over two weeks in extreme desert conditions.}

Wonder would Tipperary Sinn Féin TDs meet and move a motion of no confidence in Tipperary Co. Council. Ops, sorry, forgot that the Tipperary electorate failed to elect Sinn Féin TD’s, last election. I wonder why?

Yes, here in Tipperary, the fines are fixed – but the roads are anything but.

Statement By Minister For Justice, Home Affairs & Migration Mr Jim O’Callaghan TD.

Minister For Justice, Home Affairs & Migration Mr Jim O’Callaghan TD has stated in a press release issued at 6:28pm this evening that, quote:
“Over the past four days An Garda Síochána has engaged extensively with protestors seeking to allow access to critical sites and ensure certain trucks containing fuel, medicine and animal feed were allowed pass through blockades.

Despite the increasingly difficult situation facing people across the country and requests from Government to end the blocking of critical infrastructure, the blockades continued. This is unacceptable.

While we all acknowledge the impact of higher fuel prices, and seek to minimise that impact, no groups are entitled in our Republic to hold our people to ransom in such a manner.

An Garda Síochána has commenced operations to allow critical infrastructure to operate, so that people have access to fuel.

I will continue to engage with the Garda Commissioner and my colleagues in Government as these operations continue.

I want to thank the Gardaí and their colleagues from the Defence Forces, for carrying out these difficult duties in such a professional manner.”

We now understand that An Taoiseach Mr Micheál Martin has convened a Cabinet meeting for tomorrow where an update on ongoing fuel crisis talks, undertaken between ministers and sectoral representatives will be given.
However, the Government has stated that nothing will be announced until protesters end their blockades.

EPA Announces Funding Of €10.5m For New Environmental And Climate Research.

The EPA announces funding of €10.5m for new environmental and climate research inviting innovative solutions to address medium- to longer-term environmental research needs.

Research proposals are invited for research across the following areas:

Addressing Climate Change Evidence Needs
Delivering a Healthy Environment
Facilitating a Green and Circular Economy
Protecting and Restoring our Natural Environment
Policy Implementation, Effective Regulation and Innovative Governance Models

Successful researchers will be supported by EPA to engage with policy makers to ensure that the research is impactful and effectively informs environmental policy in Ireland.

Yesterday, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announces research funding of up to €10.5 million for new environmental research. The EPA is inviting proposals from the research community for innovative projects to support the development and implementation of environmental policies in Ireland. In particular, multi- and trans-disciplinary teams are welcomed to bring diverse perspectives to complex environmental challenges.

Announcing the EPA funding call, Ms Roni Hawe, Director of the EPA’s Office of Evidence and Assessment said: “The launch of the EPA Research Call 2026 marks a significant opportunity for the research community to contribute to addressing Ireland’s most pressing environmental challenges. This investment will support the generation of robust evidence needed for good policy and for more efficient and effective decision-making, as well as building skills and expertise in critical areas related to climate, the environment and sustainability.”

Opportunities for research are identified in areas such as how to bring mitigation and adaptation together to support Ireland achieving its climate and environmental goals; understanding antimicrobial resistance in the environment; how to accelerate our transition to a circular economy and how we can protect the environment while accelerating infrastructure and simplifying environmental regulation.

Dr Ms Caroline Wynne, EPA Research Manager, said: “This year, we are pleased to invite proposals for larger scale projects that will allow researchers to develop new and innovative solutions as well as supporting the recruitment and training of highly skilled PhD students. We are particularly interested in supporting a wide cohort of the research community to bring social, economic and environmental perspectives together, which is essential to address complex societal challenges.”

The EPA Research Programme is a Government of Ireland initiative funded by the Department of Climate, Energy and Environment. Under this year’s call, the EPA is delighted to be partnering with Met Éireann to co-fund projects in areas of mutual interest.

The deadline for proposals is May 28th 2026.

Further funding: Other EPA funding opportunities this year include EPA Fast-track to Policy Funding; Fulbright-EPA Scholarships and Fellowships; the Research Ireland Public Service Fellowship, as well as opportunities supported through EPA’s participation in European Partnerships. Details are available on our Research Funding webpage.

New Council Report Finds Climate Change Causing Significant Damage In Ireland.

The Climate Change Advisory Council’s latest report finds that climate change, driven by greenhouse gases, is having measurable impacts in Ireland. There is clear evidence in 2025 of rising temperatures and more frequent extreme weather events, with growing risks for communities, infrastructure, essential services and the economy.

The Council today launched Our Changing Climate 2025, the first publication in its Annual Review 2026 series, highlighting accelerating climate trends and the urgent need for Ireland to simultaneously reduce its dependency on fossil fuels and strengthen its preparedness for climate impacts. Our continued reliance on economically volatile imported fossil fuels leaves households, communities and businesses acutely vulnerable to shocks such as the current conflict in the Middle East. The Council has repeatedly stressed that there are viable alternatives which must be urgently pursued that would increase our economic resilience, reduce our dependency on the actions of others and simultaneously reduce our contributions to global warming.

The Council has identified gaps in how the economic, social and environmental consequences of extreme weather events are monitored, noting that robust data and evidence are essential to inform effective policy, planning and investment.

New attribution capabilities highlight the direct link between continuing greenhouse gas emissions and the weather we are experiencing today. Rainfall during Storm Claudia in November 2025 for example was made twice as likely and nearly 12% more intense than it would have been in a pre-industrial climate. This points directly to the impact of climate change on our weather patterns. Extreme conditions continued into 2026, with Storm Chandra bringing prolonged rainfall and severe flooding, as saturated ground conditions significantly increased flood risk.

The report also identifies impacts across natural systems, including shifts in the seasonal lifecycles of insects and wildlife, signalling broader ecological change. This can result in an increased risk of outbreaks of diseases such as ash dieback and avian influenza, invasive species such as the Asian Hornet, harmful algal blooms, and an increased risk of wildfires.

Key climate observations from the report include:

2025 was the second warmest year on record, with average summer temperatures 1.94°C above the 1961–1990 long-term average
Seven of the ten warmest years have occurred since 2005.
The meteorological autumn was the fourth wettest on record, and six of the ten wettest autumns have occurred since 2001, pointing to a clear trend of increasing rainfall.
Ireland experienced record-breaking warm conditions in spring and summer, with Uisce Éireann declaring 49 water supplies in 15 counties to be in drought status.
Ireland recorded its highest ever wind gust of 184km/h in January 2025
A record high minimum temperature for any calendar month of 19.0°C was also recorded in June.
Storm Éowyn, an event with record-breaking wind speeds, was the most expensive storm-related insurance event in Irish history with claims in excess of €301m. The storm exposed vulnerabilities in critical infrastructure and essential services, including energy, water and telecommunications.
Globally, the 10 most costly extreme weather events in 2025 caused damage exceeding €100bn.

The Council has emphasised that adaptation must now become a central national priority, particularly in strengthening flood resilience and critical infrastructure. Protecting people, infrastructure and the economy will require sustained investment in climate resilience, alongside coordinated policy and long-term planning.

The report warns that future risks will intensify without action, with continued warming and more frequent and severe extreme weather events expected. Delaying action will increase future costs, risks and disruption for society.

Prof. Mr Peter Thorne, Chair of the Adaptation Committee of the Climate Change Advisory Council, said: “Climate change is no longer a future issue. Its damaging impacts are being felt across the environment, the economy and our communities. We are seeing clear evidence that a warming climate is leading to more frequent and severe extreme weather events.
Ireland remains underprepared for these impacts. We must shift from reacting to extreme weather events to anticipating and preparing for them. Effective adaptation measures that tangibly increase resilience are essential to protect people, our economy and our way of life.
This must be underpinned by better data, stronger infrastructure and sustained investment to ensure we are ready for the challenges ahead.
Improving our resilience must also go hand-in-hand with reducing our reliance on fossil fuels, not only to address climate change, but also to protect households and businesses from volatile energy costs and strengthen Ireland’s energy security in an increasingly uncertain global context.”

As part of the Annual Review series in 2025, the Council has called for coordinated Government action, including investment in climate monitoring and infrastructure systems, strengthened policy and legislative frameworks, and a systemic approach to improving national resilience.