Thurles Information

Major Study Shows Agreement For Action Regarding Climate Change

Major new study shows overwhelming agreement amongst the Irish public on the threat of climate change and the desire for action.

The results of the EPA survey on the Irish people’s beliefs, attitudes, policy preferences and behaviours are emphatic:

Irish people are in almost full agreement that climate change is happening and 85% are worried about it.
91% of people say climate change is important to them personally and (79%) say climate change should be either a “very high” or “high” priority for the Government of Ireland.
Irish people strongly support a range of policies to address climate change. People also think that climate action will increase jobs, economic growth and quality of life (78%).
Scientists, experts and the EPA are very highly trusted sources of information about climate change.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has today published the first report from its ‘Climate Change in the Irish Mind’ project. This work was undertaken by EPA and the Yale University Program on Climate Change Communication (its academic partner) in support of the National Dialogue on Climate Action. The project aims to develop a better understanding of the Irish population by conducting a baseline study of public climate change beliefs, risk perceptions, policy preferences, and behaviour of the Irish public to climate change.

The project will deliver three key outputs: 1) A Climate Change in the Irish Mind report; 2) A segmentation report and 3) an online interactive map.

Today’s report “Climate Change in the Irish Mind” is based on a nationally representative survey of more than 4000 people during the summer of 2021, conducted by the survey research firm Behaviours and Attitudes.

Speaking about the report Ms Laura Burke, Director General EPA said:

“The findings of this report are definitive. This is an important first step in a very valuable project that will help to understand how Irish people perceive the environmental challenge, and that can fundamentally change how we all communicate on the topic. The findings of the survey clearly demonstrate that the Irish people overwhelmingly recognise the threat, feel personally affected and want to see real change. It demonstrates that – as a country – we are ready for the transition to climate neutrality and resilience; people see the benefits to themselves and Ireland in general and many are already advanced on the journey.”

This is the first study of its kind to be undertaken in Ireland using Yale’s internationally recognised approach. The project will deliver three key outputs: 1) Climate Change in the Irish Mind report; 2) Segmentation report and 3) an online interactive map. The findings will be used to support climate change awareness and engagement campaigns, the design of national policy and climate action.

There are very high levels of awareness of climate change amongst the Irish population, people are informed and understand the implications of a changing climate. They see that opportunities exist for jobs, innovation and wellbeing in taking climate action.

Speaking about the report, the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications, Mr Eamon Ryan TD said;

“The cornerstone of the National Dialogue for Climate Action (NDCA) is to engage and empower everyone in society to transition towards a climate neutral economy in a way that is fair, just, and accessible. This research shows that Irish people are well informed and understand and support the need for climate action. The research programme will provide valuable insights as we develop policies and initiatives that will support people as we make this transition together.”

People want the government to act by developing climate friendly policy. They are also willing to change their political and consumption behaviours but to a lesser degree. This demonstrates that people are aware of the systems changes that are required to effect change and they are also aware of their own responsibilities to act. This points to the need for more behavioural insights as to what supports people need to affect change.

Dr Anthony Leiserowitz, Director of the Yale Program on Climate Change Communication said:

“The Irish people overwhelmingly accept the findings of climate science and strongly support a whole-of-society response. They are ready for a national dialogue on climate action and primed to lead the world by their example.”

Further information: Emily Williamson, EPA Media Relations Office 053-9170770 (24 hours) or media@epa.ie

Christmas Memories – Tom Ryan, Thurles, Co Tipperary.

Christmas Memories.

Courtesy of Thurles Author & Poet Tom Ryan ©

I guess it’s a time to remember
When the snow falls to the earth
Over this great world in December,
With its sadness and its mirth.
The holly branch of memory
Adorns another time.
The toasts of happy yester-years
Now make my life sublime.

The flames from a turf fire burning
Above an open hearth,
The old songs give me yearning
For a younger time on earth.
The father went down to the corner
Which had a corner-store,
With toys and cakes and everything,
Aye and something strong for sure.

For lord ‘twas only the divil
And we all waiting there
For him to be home for the supper,
Out of the cold and frosty air.
My letter to Santa was written.
I asked for tracks and train
And hoped I’d not be forgotten
When Rudolf and Santy came.

And after an early supper
‘Twas off to bed in glee.
There’d be no sleep on Christmas Eve
Till Santa Clause I’d see.
But somehow, something peculiar,
For many a year and oft ,
I always went to slumber
And sight of the man I lost.

My sock was on a bed railing
Waiting for the dawn,
I awoke to the crackle of bacon
And church bells praised the morn.
And how I tore at that stocking
That was stitched up bewilderingly
And I got a kick and a shock
When Santa answered my plea.

How happy was everyone then,
A lifetime from today,
But in perfect harmony
Are the joys of that morn and today.
We are in a way our memories
They’re the greatest gift of all.
As the fire burns bright in the hearth
And the snowflakes softly fall.

And as I gaze at the children
Assembled in awe by the fire,
I’m as young as ever then
Though given a bit to tire.
For Christmas has never been old,
No matter what the year,
So, a toast in good warm whiskey,
With a laugh and a little tear.

Toast those before and are with us
And those to come and all
And the joy of a child at Christmas
Be with you one and all.
As the yuletide logs are burning,
And the snowflakes gently fall,
The world is a quare ould place
But don’t we love it all.
END

Tom Ryan, “Iona”, Rahealty, Thurles, Co. Tipperary.

Death Of Kathleen Cleary, Thurles, Co. Tipperary.

It was with a great personal sadness that I learned of the death, on Tuesday 7th December 2021, of Mrs Kathleen Cleary (née Allis) No. 82 Cluain Glas, Thurles, Co. Tipperary and formerly of Kickham Street, Thurles, Co. Tipperary and Toher, Doon, Co. Limerick.

Pre-deceased by her parents Jim and Leena and her brothers Gerard and George; Mrs Cleary sadly passed away unexpectedly.

Her passing is most deeply regretted by her loving daughter Elaine, son Tom, grandson Eoghan, brothers Clement, Sean and Seamus (Jim), sisters-in-law, nieces, nephews, cousins, extended relatives, neighbours, friends and all who knew her.

Requiescat in Pace.

Funeral Arrangements.

The earthly remains of Mrs Cleary will repose at her home [No. 82 Cluain Glas, Thurles] on Saturday evening, December 11th, from 5:00pm to 8:00pm for friends and family.
Her body will be received into the Church of St Joseph & St Brigid, Bóthar-na-Naomh, Thurles, Co. Tipperary, to further repose for Requiem Mass on Sunday morning, December 12th, at 10:00am, followed by interment immediately afterwards in St. Fintan’s Cemetery, Lisgaugh, Doon, Co. Limerick.

[NB: Due to Public Health Guidelines, regarding C-19 virus restrictions; those attending Requiem Mass will continue to observe strict adherence to social distancing, face covering, with no hand shaking.]

The extended Cleary family wish to express their appreciation for your understanding at this difficult time and have made arrangements for those wishing to send messages of condolence, to use the link shown HERE.

In ár gcroíthe go deo.

Killer Covid-19 Cases On Irish Mainland Reach 5,837 Today.

The Department of Health has confirmed 4,022 new coronavirus cases in the Irish Republic, over the past 24 hours.

The number of people with the virus in our hospitals stands at 530, a decrease of 13 on yesterday’s reported figures and of these, there are 115 patients in intensive care units, down 3 on yesterday’s total.

The National Public Health Emergency Team (NPHET) have confirmed that 5 more cases of the Omicron variant have been detected, bringing to 6 the total number of cases identified, following whole genome sequencing; with a number of other probable cases currently under investigation.

The Health Service Executive has stated that the first delivery of Pfizer Covid-19 vaccines for children is expected to arrive in Ireland next week. The National Immunisation Advisory Committee (NIAC) is advising that the vaccines should be given in a two-dose schedule, three weeks apart and around 480,000 primary school children will now be offered a vaccine.

Chief Medical Officer, Dr Tony Holohan, has stated that although the Omicron variant is new, early understanding gives confidence that a booster dose of Covid-19 vaccine will offer good protection against Omicron and Delta infection.

In Northern Ireland, 1,819 new coronavirus infections have been confirmed over the same period. As of today, the number of positive cases confirmed in the past 7 days was 12,281.

There were 338 patients with Covid-19 in northern hospitals, up from 329 reported yesterday, with 38 patients in hospital intensive care units, latter unchanged since yesterday.
Sadly, 4 more Covid-19-related deaths have also been reported in Northern Ireland today.

It is now essential that we continue to listen to science and keep ourselves and our families safe by regularly washing our hands; wearing a mask when appropriate, and cut down on unnecessary social contacts.

Minster Browne Welcomes Enactment Of Criminal Justice (Smuggling of Persons) Bill.

The Bill replaces and strengthens laws against people smuggling.
Covers a broader range of scenarios, and a broader geographic range.

The Minister of State at the Department of Justice, Mr James Browne TD, is pleased to announce that the Criminal Justice (Smuggling of Persons) Bill has completed all stages in the Oireachtas, and is expected to be signed into law by the President shortly. The Bill will replace and strengthen laws against people smuggling.

Minister Browne said,

“The terrible tragedy in the English Channel last month is a reminder, if one was needed, of the need to combat the unscrupulous practise of people smugglers.
This new legislation will help. The existing smuggling offence is difficult to prosecute, as it effectively requires the prosecution to prove that the defendant acted for gain. As this gain will typically occur outside the State, this has often been impossible.
The new Bill helps facilitate the cooperation required for us to continue to work together with our colleagues in the EU and the UK to combat smugglers who have no regard for the lives of the people they put at risk.”

The revised offence also covers a broader range of scenarios – it covers intentionally assisting entry, transit or presence where the person knows or has reasonable cause to believe that it is in breach of specified immigration law provisions. And while the existing offence is limited to facilitating the entry into the State, the revised offence covers smuggling into other countries (including EU Member States and parties to the UN Protocol against people smuggling).

The Bill ensures that a full defence is in place to protect those acting for genuine humanitarian purposes and not for gain, or on behalf of bona fide humanitarian organisations. It also ensures that smuggled persons are not criminalised by being smuggled.

The new legislation replaces most aspects of the Illegal Immigrants (Trafficking) Act 2000 and reflects the provisions of three international instruments against people smuggling:

EU Council Directive 2002/90/EC defining the facilitation of unauthorised entry, transit and residence;
EU Framework Decision 2002/946/JHA on the strengthening of the penal framework to prevent the facilitation of unauthorised entry, transit and residence; and
UN Protocol against the Smuggling of Migrants by Land, Sea and Air, supplementing the UN Convention against Transnational Organized Crime (2000).