Thurles Information

River Suir: 14 Years Of Talk – When Will Real Action Begin?

Yesterday, the EPA issued a stark warning in its press release: “Faster action is needed, as water quality shows little overall improvement in 2025.”

There has been little change in water quality indicators in 2025. Overall water quality remains unsatisfactory in many areas.
Excess nutrients from agriculture and wastewater remain the greatest challenge to water quality improvements, with phosphorous and nitrate levels still too high in many of our waters.
Some areas show improvements which is promising, but these are being offset by declines elsewhere. The scale and pace of implementation of actions to protect and restore water quality needs to be increased.

The message could not be clearer, and it should be a wake-up call for every community living beside a river in Ireland, including those of us along the River Suir.

The EPA’s Water Quality in 2025: An Indicators Report shows that there has been little change in water quality indicators in 2025, with overall water quality still unsatisfactory in many areas. Nutrient levels remain too high in a large proportion of water bodies, and slightly more than half; 54% of rivers and lakes are in good or better biological quality. So the question must be asked locally: why is the River Suir still being neglected?
For the past 14 years, we have heard promises, plans, meetings, schemes, visits and announcements, but the visible condition of parts of the Suir, particularly around Thurles, remains totally unacceptable.

**River Suir, Thurles, Co. Tipperary.**
*Pic: G. Willoughby*.

On 25 May 2026, Tipp Mid West Radio reported that North Tipperary TD Mr Michael Lowry said he was submitting a funding application for works on the River Suir between Templemore and Ballycamas. That announcement is indeed welcome, but it also raises a very simple question: after so many years of concern about the condition of the Suir, why are we still at the stage of applications, announcements and proposed works?

We are also told that the Government has amended the Minor Works Scheme, that Tipperary County Council has been allocated €150,000 for river conveyance works, and that funding applications of up to €2 million may be made to cover remedial works. Mr Lowry has said he will work with Cllr Micheál Lowry to progress a plan for the River Suir, and Minister Kevin “Boxer” Moran is expected to visit Thurles to view the river’s condition.
That is welcome, but it cannot become yet another photo opportunity, followed by another decade of delay.

**Sewage openly flowing into** **River Suir, Thurles, Co. Tipperary.**
*Pic: G. Willoughby*.

The EPA is clear that excess nutrients from agriculture, wastewater and run-off remain the greatest challenge to improving water quality. It has also said that while some areas are improving, those gains are being offset by declines elsewhere, and that the scale and pace of action must increase.

LAWPRO is working across the wider River Suir catchment to reduce damaging discharges, while community groups and Rivers Trust initiatives are encouraging local people, landowners and stakeholders to get involved in protecting the Suir and its tributaries. That community involvement is important, but communities cannot do this alone.

The missing ingredient for the River Suir is not more talk, it is delivery. We need clear answers:

► What works will be carried out?
► When will they begin?
► Who is responsible for delivery?
► Has the funding application now been submitted?
► What section of the river will be prioritised first?
► How will pollution and damaging discharges be reduced?
► How will progress be measured and reported publicly?

The River Suir is one of this region’s greatest natural assets. It should not be treated as an afterthought. Clean water supports biodiversity, public health, recreation, tourism, farming, fishing and local pride.

After 14 years of discussion, the people of Thurles and the wider Suir catchment area deserve more than statements of concern.
They deserve action, visible funded and accountable.

Climate Change Advisory Council’s Annual Review 2026 – Transport.

Ireland must accelerate investment in reliable public transport and EV infrastructure to reduce emissions and exposure to fossil fuel shocks, says Climate Change Advisory Council.

Transport remains Ireland’s largest source of energy demand, accounting for 42.3% of total final energy demand in 2024 and 21.8% of national emissions.
Transport emissions fell by only 1.3% in 2024, while the sector is estimated to have exceeded its first sectoral emissions ceiling (2021-2025) and is projected to exceed its second sectoral emissions ceiling (2026-2030) if urgent action is not taken.

The Climate Change Advisory Council has warned that Ireland’s dependence on fossil fuels in transport is leaving people, businesses, public services and the wider economy exposed to repeated fuel price shocks, as geopolitical instability continues to disrupt global energy markets.

Launching the Transport chapter of its Annual Review 2026 today, the Council said Ireland must reduce this exposure by accelerating investment in public transport, active travel, electric vehicle charging infrastructure and the grid capacity needed to support cleaner transport.

The Council says recent temporary emergency responses to fuel price increases have not been sufficiently targeted. It recommends that Government addresses the regressive components of emergency measures and introduce targeted supports within the transport sector for those most exposed and least able to avoid fuel costs, while maintaining planned carbon tax increases and continuing to ring-fence revenues for climate action and a just transition.

The Council is calling for targeted measures to increase EV uptake among lower-income households, particularly in areas with limited access to public transport and high car dependency. The Government’s recent pilot ICE2EV grant to incentivise the purchase of new electric vehicles by owners of 13 year or older fossil fuel cars is welcome.

In the review, the Council also warns that Ireland needs to accelerate the expansion of EV charging infrastructure, including the real time mapping of EV charging points to give people and businesses confidence in the alternatives to fossil fuel use.

However, continued grid constraints and charging infrastructure gaps are hampering Ireland’s ability to fully embrace electric vehicles. Publicly accessible charging infrastructure remains well below the EU average, while further investment is needed to support the electrification of cars, buses, school transport and commercial fleets.

Public transport passenger journeys increased by 6% in 2025, with TFI Local Link services recording a 19% increase. However, largely unchanged passenger journey data across some bus, rail and Luas services may indicate that parts of the public transport system are operating close to capacity.

The Council is calling for increased funding for public transport and for existing Public Service Obligation services in Budget 2027. Accelerated delivery of priority projects such as DART+ South West, Luas Finglas and the National Transport Authority’s Park and Ride Investment Programme are necessary to increase capacity and to cater for the projected population growth in these areas. Ireland must deliver a modern, reliable and cost effective public transport system to encourage commuters out of their cars and onto lower emission alternatives.

The Council also warns that Ireland’s transport network must be made more resilient to extreme weather. Storm Chandra and prolonged rainfall in early 2026 exposed the vulnerability of road and rail infrastructure, underlining the need for climate risk to be built into transport planning, investment and design standards.

The Council is also calling for the updated National Ports Policy to be finalised and published, for greater investment in climate-resilient regional and local roads, and for vulnerable sections of the rail network to be assessed and climate-proofed.

Mr Alex White, (Chairperson of the Climate Change Advisory Council), said: “Fossil fuel shocks are not one-off events. As long as Ireland remains heavily dependent on petrol and diesel for transport, people, businesses and public services will remain exposed to global price volatility and geopolitical crises.
The way to reduce that exposure is to give people real alternatives. That means sustained investment in public transport, a charging network people can rely on, and the grid capacity needed to support the switch to electric across cars, buses and commercial fleets.
This transition also has to be fair. Supports should be targeted at those most exposed to transport fuel costs, particularly people on lower incomes and those who are car-dependent because they do not have access to practical alternatives.
The Government has set the right ambition to end Ireland’s reliance on fossil fuels, the test now is delivery.”

Two Thurles Recent Commencement, Building Notices.

No. 11 Riverwood, Thurles, Co. Tipperary. (Rear of O’Gorman’s pub).
Work Dates: 15/06/2026 – 31/12/2026 (proposed).
Development Type: Residential (Dwellings), Other (Non Residential).
Development Overview: Construction of block 10, a crèche unit on the ground floor and duplex units on the first floor, with associated external and infrastructure works in Riverwood, Thurles.
Links: Live Map | BCMS Listing .

Abbey Road Thurles Co. Tipperary. (Close to and north east of Abbey Road, roundabout).
Work Dates: 24/06/2026 – 23/11/2026 (proposed).
Development Type: Residential (Dwellings).
Development Overview: Construct a domestic shed.
Links: Live Map | BCMS Listing.

Dereliction While Families Wait – Tipperary Deserves Better.

In the middle of a housing crisis, it is unacceptable that Tipperary County Council collected not one wafer-thin copper cent in derelict property tax in 2024.

Across the country, millions in derelict-site levies remain uncollected while homes lie idle, streets are blighted, and families continue to wait for secure housing. Tipperary was reportedly the only local authority in Munster not to collect any derelict property tax in 2024/25.

Even Tánaiste Mr Simon Harris has now acknowledged the failure, saying the new derelict property tax is being driven by frustration at the lack of action and that local authorities have not done enough to tackle dereliction. If Government itself can see the system is failing, then Tipperary County Council must explain why no derelict property tax was collected here in 2024 while so many people remain in housing need.

**The derelict** **eyesore that is the Munster Hotel, Thurles, Co. Tipperary**.

This is not good enough. Derelict and vacant properties are not just an eyesore. They are a wasted public resource at a time when people are struggling to rent, young families cannot buy, and many are waiting years for social housing.

In Tipperary alone, 1,358 households were recorded in 2024 as qualifying for social housing support whose need was not being met. The latest homelessness figures also show 98 adults in emergency accommodation in Tipperary during one week in April 2026.

What are our sleepy Municipal District Councillors & Politicians doing to correct this situation? Answer – Absolutely Nothing.
Every suitable derelict property should be identified, pursued, taxed where appropriate, and brought back into use. Where owners refuse to act, the Council should use every legal power available, including compulsory purchase orders where necessary.

A housing crisis demands action, not excuses. Tipperary needs enforcement, accountability, and urgency. Leaving homes idle while people are desperate for housing is indefensible.

New EU Labelling Rules For Honey Welcomed.

The Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI) today welcomes the introduction of new EU labelling rules for honey, which came into effect on 14th June 2026.

The updated legislation introduces strengthened requirements for the labelling of honey in relation to the declaration of country of origin. Under the new rules, all countries of origin for blended honey must be clearly indicated on the label, in descending order of weight, along with the percentage contribution of each country. This information must be presented in the principal field of vision of the product, ensuring it is easily visible to consumers at the point of purchase.

Country of origin declaration applies to honey produced, packaged, labelled and for sale on the market after 14 June 2026. Before this date, origin declaration for honey had more general descriptions such as ‘a blend of EU honeys’ or ‘a blend of EU and non-EU honeys’, without further detail on the specific countries of origin. Honey produced, packaged, labelled and on the market on or before 14 June 2026, will legitimately remain on the market for several months with this previously acceptable origin declaration so it will therefore take some time before consumers see this change on the labels.

Welcoming the changes to the EU labelling rules for honey, Mr Greg Dempsey, (Chief Executive, FSAI), stated that improved origin labelling for honey will enhance transparency, support informed consumer choice and strengthen trust in honey products available on the Irish market. “The new EU labelling requirements for honey represent a positive development for both consumers and for food businesses. Providing clearer information on the country of origin of honey supports informed decision-making by consumers, while also promoting fairness and greater transparency across the supply chain. The new EU rules provide clarity for food businesses on how country of origin information must be declared on honey. All food businesses placing honey on the market after 14 June are required to ensure that their labelling complies with these new requirements.”

All food businesses involved in the production, packing, distribution or sale of honey must ensure that their labels are fully compliant with the new EU requirements. The FSAI will continue to work with official agencies and food businesses to support compliance with the legislation and to ensure that consumers are provided with accurate and clear information about the food they purchase.

See New Honey labelling requirements HERE.