Politics « Thurles Information

Tougher Penalties For Littering From September Next.

Ireland is set to introduce tougher penalties for littering, with on-the-spot fines increasing by €100 from September 1st 2026. The current fine of €150 will rise to €250 as part of a renewed effort to protect towns, villages, beaches, parks, green-ways and other shared public spaces.

Minister of State for the Circular Economy Mr Alan Dillon said the increase is intended to send a clear message that littering and dog fouling will not be tolerated. The move comes alongside the publication of the 2025 National Litter Pollution Monitoring System results, which show that litter levels across the country have improved.

New Support for Cleaner Communities.
A new €250,000 fund is also being introduced to help local authorities keep public areas clean. Councils will be able to apply for funding to support practical measures such as extra dog waste bins and bag dispensers in places where they are most needed. Here in Thurles, a few extra bins at the lower end of the public park and river walk might encourage people from dumping directly into the river Suir.

The aim is to make it easier for responsible dog owners to clean up after their pets and to reduce the amount of dog fouling in public spaces. Local authorities will receive a circular outlining how they can apply for the funding.

Dog Fouling Enforcement Under Review.
Dog fouling remains a major challenge, despite only 48 fines being issued nationwide last year. Minister Dillon said officials are examining whether DNA testing of dog droppings could help identify owners who fail to clean up after their pets.

One idea being considered is linking dog DNA samples with dog licences, so enforcement officers could trace fouling back to registered animals. However, the minister said the cost and practicalities must be reviewed before any such system could be introduced.
He added that Ireland should look at examples from other European countries before deciding whether DNA-based enforcement is workable here.

Cost-of-living Promises Sound Easy – Until The Bill Arrives.

Sinn Féin, like Father Murphy, will attempt to “Spur up the rocks with a warning cry”, here in Thurles.

There is no doubt that households in Thurles, across Tipperary, and throughout Ireland are under real pressure. Electricity bills, grocery prices, rents, mortgage repayments, insurance, childcare and transport costs have all eaten into family budgets. Nobody in Government should dismiss that. But equally, nobody in Opposition should pretend that reliefs, credits, freezes and subsidies come without a cost.

That is the part of the cost-of-living debate that too often gets lost.
The crisis Ireland has faced was not invented in Leinster House, Dublin. It came from a series of international shocks; the aftermath of Covid-19, supply-chain disruption, the surge in gas and oil prices, Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, higher food and fertiliser costs, and interest-rate rises across the eurozone. Ireland, as a small open economy, cannot simply opt out of global energy markets or European monetary policy. The Government can cushion the blow, and it has done so, but it cannot abolish reality.

Budget 2026 shows the Government trying to do that difficult balancing act. It increased most weekly social welfare payments by €10, increased Fuel Allowance by €5 per week, extended the 9% VAT rate on electricity and gas to the end of 2030, extended the Rent Tax Credit, and adjusted the USC band so minimum-wage workers would not be pulled into the higher rate because of the minimum-wage increase. These are not slogans; they are practical measures aimed at helping people, while keeping the public finances under control.

That is the difference between responsible government and permanent protest. Government has to decide not only what people would like to receive, but how it is paid for, who pays for it, and what is sacrificed elsewhere.

Sinn Féin’s alternative budget proposed a €2.5 billion cost-of-living package, including €450 energy credits, a double child benefit payment, higher welfare and pension increases, rent measures and the abolition of USC on the first €40,000 of income. Those proposals may sound attractive when listed at a public meeting. Who would not like lower bills, higher payments, lower taxes and cheaper rent? But politics is not a wishing well. A €2.5 billion package must be funded by someone.

And that “someone” is usually the worker, the taxpayer, the business owner, or the next generation.

If the State pays for broad energy credits, the money comes from taxation, borrowing, or less spending elsewhere. If taxes are raised on “someone else,” they rarely stay neatly confined there. Business taxes can affect investment and jobs. Higher taxes on workers reduce take-home pay. Borrowing passes today’s relief bill to tomorrow’s taxpayers. Cutting or delaying spending elsewhere means less money for housing, schools, hospitals, roads, disability services, Garda resources, water infrastructure and energy investment.

This is why the Government is right to be cautious about turning every pressure into a permanent spending commitment.
Ireland’s public finances look strong on paper, but independent watchdogs have repeatedly warned that the headline figures hide real risks. The Irish Fiscal Advisory Council warned in June 2026 that Ireland remains heavily reliant on corporation tax from a small number of foreign-owned multinationals. It also said that, excluding excess corporation tax, the State is forecast to have an underlying deficit of €11 billion this year. That means we are not as flush with money as some political speeches expected from Sinn Féin suggest.

The same watchdog warned that most corporation tax receipts are being spent rather than saved, with only €1 in every €6 being set aside under the Government’s plan. It also warned that spending growth is running faster than the sustainable growth rate of the economy. These are not Fine Gael or Fianna Fáil talking points. They are warnings from Ireland’s independent fiscal watchdog.

The Central Bank has also warned that Ireland faces downside risks to exports and corporation tax receipts if US tax or industrial policy changes, with possible effects on investment and incomes. In plain English, the tax money we are relying on today may not be guaranteed tomorrow.

That is why the Government cannot responsibly govern as though every surplus is permanent and every demand can be met by writing another cheque.

Of course, Opposition parties will always say more should be done. That is their job. But there is a danger in turning every genuine hardship into a rallying cry against the State. Public meetings can easily become exercises in stirring-up anger, rather than solving problems. The old cry of “Arm, arm” may be poetic, but it is not an economic policy. Ireland does not need a politics that spurs up resentment while avoiding the hard question: who pays?

The responsible answer is that support should be targeted, temporary where possible, and affordable. Help should go to those most exposed: pensioners, carers, low-income workers, families with children, people with disabilities, and households facing energy poverty. But permanent giveaways funded by unstable revenues or future borrowing are not compassion. They are deferred taxation.

The Government’s position should be defended because it recognises both sides of the truth: people need help, but the State must remain solvent; households need relief, but workers cannot be taxed into the ground; today’s pressure is real, but tomorrow’s taxpayers also matter.

There is no such thing as free cost-of-living relief. There is only a choice about who pays, when they pay, and whether politicians are honest enough to admit it.

Ireland needs action, yes. But it also needs prudence, honesty and responsibility. Demanding everything immediately may win applause in a public meeting. Governing requires asking whether the applause today becomes the tax bill tomorrow.

New CSO Crime Figures Show Mixed Trends In Quarter 1, 2026.

The Central Statistics Office has released its Recorded Crime figures for Quarter 1 2026, covering incidents recorded in January, February and March.

The figures show a rather mixed picture. In the 12 months to Q1 2026, recorded crime incidents fell in 6 of the 15 main offence groups. The largest decreases were seen in Homicide & Related offences, Sexual offences, Burglary & Related offences, and Robbery, Extortion and Hijacking offences.

However, some offence groups continued to rise. The largest increases were recorded for Dangerous or Negligent Acts and Weapons & Explosives offences.
The report also highlights an increase in victims of Assaults & Related offences. Female victims rose by 8% to 2,460 in Q1 2026 compared with Q1 2025, while male victims rose by 1% to 3,334. Overall, victims in this category increased by 4% to 5,794.

The CSO also advises caution when interpreting fraud figures. Current published figures for Fraud, Deception & Related offences include only incidents directly reported to An Garda Síochána by members of the public and recorded on the PULSE system. Certain referrals from financial institutions are still excluded while work continues on reporting and recording systems.

These statistics are important because they show recorded crime incidents, not necessarily the full level of crime in society. Some offences may be under-reported, particularly crimes such as fraud, sexual offences, and assault.

The full CSO release and related data tables are available through the Central Statistics Office website which can be located HERE.

Irish Government Launches Survey To Support Children’s Voices In Family Law Proceedings.

The Irish Government has launched a new survey for professionals who prepare Voice of the Child and Welfare Reports in family law proceedings.

The survey will gather important information on professional backgrounds, qualifications, training, experience, and the skills needed to carry out this work. The findings will help inform the development of a future Panel of Assessors, aimed at improving access, consistency, regulation, and standards in the preparation of these reports.

This work forms part of the Irish Government’s continued focus on placing children at the centre of the family justice system, ensuring their voices are heard, their welfare is protected, and their individual experiences are properly considered in legal proceedings that affect them.

The survey follows the June 2024 review of expert reports in the family law process, which made 20 recommendations to improve quality, oversight, consistency, and best practice in Voice of the Child and Welfare Reports.

Professionals currently preparing these reports are encouraged to complete the survey and contribute to shaping future policy in this important area.

The survey is open from yesterday, Friday, 26 June until Friday, July 24th next.
The survey can be located by clicking here.

New €3 EU Customs Charge Could Make Cheap Online Shopping More Expensive.

Online shoppers in Ireland who regularly buy low-cost items from websites outside the European Union may soon face extra costs at delivery or checkout.

From 1st July 2026, a new €3 Customs Duty charge per item will apply to many e-commerce parcels valued at €150 or less coming into Ireland from outside the EU. This includes goods bought from websites based in Britain, Asia, the United States and other non-EU countries.
This change is part of the EU’s wider Customs Reform and is designed to make online imports fairer, safer and easier to monitor.

What Is Changing?
At present, there is no Customs Duty on e-commerce goods entering the EU, where the value of the goods is €150 or less, although VAT and delivery-related charges may still apply.

From 1st July 2026, that duty-free rule will change. A flat €3 Customs Duty will apply to each distinct item in a qualifying parcel sent directly to consumers from outside the EU.
This means the charge is not simply applied once per package. It depends on what is inside the package.
For example, if a parcel contains one notepad, one pen and one keyring, these are three different items. Each item would attract a €3 charge, bringing the Customs Duty to €9, plus VAT where applicable.
However, if a parcel contains two identical cotton t-shirts, they are treated as one distinct item type. In that case, the Customs Duty would be €3, plus VAT where applicable.

Why Is The EU Introducing The Charge?
The EU says the current system no longer reflects the scale of modern online shopping.
The existing duty-free rule for low-value imports was originally introduced to reduce administrative pressure on businesses and customs authorities. However, customs systems are now far more digital, meaning electronic data is available for imported goods.
The European Commission has also highlighted the huge growth in low-value imports into the EU. In 2025, almost 5.9 billion low-value items were shipped directly from non-EU countries to consumers in the EU without customs duties being paid.
EU authorities say this has created unfair competition for European and Irish retailers, who must comply with EU tax, safety, labour and environmental standards.
The reform is also aimed at improving consumer protection by helping customs authorities identify unsafe or non-compliant goods before they reach shoppers.

How Shoppers Will Pay.
In many cases, the €3 charge may be collected at the online checkout. Larger platforms and retailers may include the duty in the final price before the customer pays.
However, not every website will be ready or able to collect the charge upfront.
Where the duty is not paid at checkout, the delivery company may collect the charge before the parcel is delivered. This could mean shoppers have to pay the Customs Duty, VAT and any relevant administration fee before receiving their order.
Therefore consumers are being advised to check the website’s terms and conditions before buying, especially when ordering from smaller non-EU retailers.

Extra Delivery Admin Fees May Apply.
Where customs charges are not paid at checkout, the delivery company may apply its own administration fee for processing the payment and holding the parcel until charges are paid.
An Post already applies an administration fee in certain customs cases. This is separate from the new EU Customs Duty and applies to the parcel rather than to every individual item inside it.
This means shoppers could face more than one extra cost if charges are not collected at checkout; the new €3 Customs Duty per distinct item, VAT where applicable, and a delivery company administration fee.

NOTE: A “.ie” Website Does Not Always Mean EU Shipping.
Irish shoppers are also being urged to check where goods are actually shipped from. A website may use a “.ie” domain, show prices in euro or appear to be aimed at Irish customers, but the goods may still be shipped from outside the EU.
If the goods are located in Ireland or another EU country at the time of purchase, the new Customs Duty will not apply. But if the goods are shipped from outside the EU, the charge may apply even if the website looks local.
Before buying, shoppers should check the retailer’s “About Us”, delivery information and terms and condition pages to confirm where the goods are dispatched from.

Returns Could Also Cost More
These new rules may also affect returns.
Revenue has warned that the €3 Customs Duty will generally not be refunded if a customer returns an item, unless the goods are faulty. VAT refunds may also vary depending on the retailer and how that business handles VAT.
This means returning cheap items bought from outside the EU could become less attractive, especially where the original purchase involved multiple low-cost products.

Beware Of Scam Texts And Fake Payment Links.
With the new customs rules coming into effect, shoppers should also be alert to scam messages.
An Post has warned that it will never ask customers to pay Irish customs charges through a link in an SMS or email. If a message asks you to click a link to pay customs charges on an item coming into Ireland, it should be treated as suspicious.
Customers who need to pay a genuine customs charge should do so through the official An Post website, the An Post app or at a post office.

What Shoppers Should Do Before Buying.
Before placing an order from a non-EU website, shoppers should check:

where the goods are being shipped from;
whether customs duty is included at checkout;
whether VAT is included;
whether the delivery company may charge an administration fee;
what the retailer’s returns policy says about VAT and customs refunds;
whether the final price still represents good value.

The change will not stop people buying from non-EU websites, but it may make very cheap online orders less appealing, particularly when several different low-cost items are included in the same parcel.

For Irish consumers, the message is clear: from July 1st 2026, the price shown beside a cheap online item may not be the final cost of getting it delivered.