Latest news with #NíMhurchú
Irish Independent
2 days ago
- Politics
- Irish Independent
‘I haven't thought about it' – Cynthia Ní Mhurchú on possible run for Áras
The former RTÉ broadcaster, who was elected an MEP last year as a Fianna Fáil candidate, said she hasn't been thinking about running for Áras an Uachtaráin and remains focused on her work in Brussels. Speaking to Cork Today on C103, Ms Ní Mhurchú described speculation around this year's presidential election as 'hot air', but agreed it was an honour to be mentioned among the potential candidates. 'Number one, I haven't thought about it. Number two, nobody has approached me and I've approached nobody. My thinking on it now is to be quite honest, nothing,' she said. "Because, I think at this stage it's an awful lot of hot air. I appreciate it's a very important job, and I appreciate we're coming into the silly season and people have to be talking about something. 'I don't mean to sound very pious or very prudish but there's an awful lot more important problems, not only in Ireland, but throughout Europe. For the moment I'm just happy now. It's a busy working day here in Brussels.' Ms Ní Mhurchú said she was equally honoured to be mentioned among potential candidates for the Áras as she was to be nominated to run for Fianna Fáil in last year's European elections. She said she is a 'small cog in a wheel of 720 spokes' in the European Parliament and she wants to continue working for her constituents in Ireland South. A native of Co Carlow, a gaeilgeoir and a former teacher, Ms Ní Mhurchú worked as a journalist and presenter for RTÉ for a decade. After leaving the national broadcaster, she qualified as a barrister. It was revealed yesterday by the Sunday Independent that talks of a potential run have been held between Fianna Fáil and Unicef Ireland executive director Peter Power. Mr Power served as a TD for Limerick East from 2002 to 2011 and was a Minister of State in the Department of Foreign Affairs for three years. He has been in his role as Unicef Ireland executive director until he lost his seat in December 2011. Another former Fianna Fáil minister, Mary Hanafin, also revealed over the weekend she has held talks over the nomination with party leader Micheál Martin.
Irish Independent
3 days ago
- Irish Independent
‘Truly shocking' figures show nearly 6,000 caught not wearing a seat belt last year
A total of 5,848 people were handed a fixed charge notice for not wearing a seat belt last year. This represents a rise on the 5,477 people caught not wearing a seat belt in 2023. Gardaí issue fixed charge notices when an adult occupant of a car is caught not wearing their seat belt, when an adult has failed to make sure a passenger aged under 17 is wearing their belt or when 'necessary child restrain system obligations' are not met. Failure to wear a seat belt carries a fixed charge fine of €120 and three penalty points. Someone convicted in court of not wearing a seat belt faces a €2,500 fine and five penalty points. Fianna Fáil MEP for Ireland South Cynthia Ní Mhurchú called for a 'get-tough approach' on the non-wearing of seat belts and the use of mobile phones while driving, two of the 'leading factors in road deaths in Ireland'. She described the number of people caught not wearing their seat belts last year as 'truly shocking'. 'On February 1, 1979, Ireland introduced legislation that made the wearing of seat belts mandatory for front seat passengers and drivers,' Ms Ní Mhurchú said. "46 years later, and almost 6,000 Irish people are caught not wearing a seat belt. There is no excuse. I do not understand why someone would not buckle up.' A commitment was made in the Programme for Government for the introduction of 'new road safety cameras to automatically detect mobile phone use and non-wearing of seat belts'. It is currently only possible to issue fixed charge notices for offences like distracted driving and the non-wearing of seat belts if the offence is caught by a garda. Ms Ní Mhurchú has called for that commitment to be fulfilled and for these cameras to be put in place 'immediately'. She also highlighted the importance of parents making sure their children are properly strapped in while in the car. Research from the Road Safety Authority (RSA) has shown up to four in five child car seats are incorrectly fitted. Incorrect fitting of a child seat can result in serious injury or fatality if a collision occurs. The RSA previously surveyed 5,000 checks on child car seats, with more than 4,000 requiring some adjustment and most requiring a 'major' adjustment.
Irish Independent
15-06-2025
- Business
- Irish Independent
Wexford homes experienced an 18 per cent increase in power outages in 2024
Figures provided to Cynthia Ní Mhurchú by ESB Networks under Freedom of Information show significant year on year increases in power cuts across Ireland between 2021 and 2024. There were 64,754 power cuts across Ireland in 2024, both planned and unplanned outages. This is a 22 per cent increase on 2023 where there were 53,067 power cuts. Between 2021 and 2024, residents have seen a 40 per cent increase in the number of power cuts, both planned and unplanned, across Ireland. She highlighted that some areas across Ireland seem more prone to power cuts than others. Enniscorthy had 2,507 power cuts in 2024, compared to Limerick which only had 737 power cuts in 2024. Sligo had 3,211 power cuts in 2024, up from 1,973 in 2021. ESB Networks also provided MEP Ní Mhurchú with a breakdown of the reasons for the power cuts which included bird strikes, weather issues, lightening, overhead refurbishment, overloading, and corrosion. Of more concern was the large increase in power cuts which were attributed to 'defective equipment.' Ní Mhurchú has called on ESB Networks to clarify why there is a 22 per cent jump in power outages across the country between 2023 and 2024. She has also called for a new system of compensation for householders and small businesses for outages lasting more than 12 hours. She also said that customers should not be charged for standing charges and levies when the power it out. 'My worry is that ESB Networks may be trying to cut costs by not investing in our electricity infrastructure to the extent that they should be. Power cuts have an enormous impact on families, in particular as many homes are now passive homes that depend on heat pumps and don't have open fires or stoves." Ní Mhurchú has described the dramatic increase in the number of power outages as requiring an explanation from ESB Networks, a profitable company that should be prioritising increased investment in the electricity grid. 'Customers deserve an explanation as to why they are facing more power cuts when they are paying the second highest electricity prices in Europe. The least Irish customers deserve is more investment in the infrastructure that delivers that electricity.'
Irish Independent
10-06-2025
- Automotive
- Irish Independent
Kerry tourism would face a hit if car rental sector is forced to make EV switch
With the EU Commission said to be considering introducing mandatory electric vehicle quotas for corporate fleets ahead of the 2035 deadline, it means rental car companies would need to switch to electric before then. Ireland South MEP Cynthia Ní Mhurchú believes this will create a shortage in rental cars that will hurt tourism in places like Kerry resulting in lost jobs for coastal communities. She added that it would create a knock-on impact for rural parts where tourists visit because they are able to readily avail of affordable rental cars. 'That is something I cannot stand over,' Ms Ní Mhurchú said, adding that she is 100 per cent in favour of electric vehicles but this is akin to putting the 'cart before the horse'. Ms Ní Mhurchú said 'forcing' car rental companies to go electric before Ireland has the necessary infrastructure in place will damage rural tourism by making rental cars more expensive and less available. She explained how the industry could not cope with such a burden and it would ultimately lead to less rental cars at a higher price. 'Irish tourism depends heavily on the car rental sector. Rental cars allow tourists to travel to remote parts of Ireland, where there isn't the necessary charging infrastructure. Tourists would be dependent on public charging points, and we just don't have enough in rural and remote parts of Ireland, as things stand,' she said. At a Kerry County Council meeting in March, the precarious situation surrounding EVs and charging points was discussed – a situation that is already having a negative impact on tourism. At that Tarbert Island Ferry Terminal – the gateway to the Wild Atlantic Way in North Kerry – there is no EV charger between Tarbert and Ballyheigue, a distance of almost 70km. In raising the issue, Fine Gael Councillor Mike Foley stated that Killimer Ferry Terminal in County Clare has a 47kW EV 'fast charger' available, yet none are available for nearly 70 kilometres in North Kerry. He said one has to travel a further 18 kilometres to avail of a charger in Tralee, which Cllr Foley said is not ideal for tourism along the Wild Atlantic Way corridor. The Car Rental Council of Ireland state there are higher maintenance costs associated with electric vehicles. The average cost of renting an electric car is currently 33 per cent higher than the average cost of renting a traditional car in Ireland.
Irish Independent
30-05-2025
- Business
- Irish Independent
20pc increase in power cuts in Wicklow with defective equipment and bird strikes causing some of the outages
Figures provided to MEP Cynthia Ní Mhurchú show significant year on year increases in power cuts across Ireland between 2021 and 2024, with ESB's Arklow region power supply showing 1,725 power cuts in the wider Wicklow area in 2024, up from 1,433 in 2023 and 1,256 in 2021. There were 64,754 power cuts across Ireland in 2024, both planned and unplanned outages, representing a 22pc increase on 2023, where we had 53,067 power cuts. Between 2021 and 2024, we have seen a 40pc increase in the number of power cuts, both planned and unplanned, across Ireland. ESB Networks also provided MEP Ní Mhurchú with a breakdown of the reasons for the power cuts which included bird strikes, weather issues, lightening, overhead refurbishment, overloading, and corrosion. Of more concern was the large increase in power cuts which were attributed to 'defective equipment'. Raising significant concerns about ESB Networks performance in relation to power cuts faced by domestic and business customers across Ireland, MEP Ní Mhurchú has called on ESB Networks to clarify why there is a 22pc jump, for a new system of compensation for householders and small businesses for outages lasting more than 12 hours and said that customers should not be charged for standing charges and levies when the power it out. 'The CRU, our regulator, has raised significant concerns about ESBN's performance in relation to unplanned outages and customer interruptions fining the utility millions for missing clearly set down targets,' Ní Mhurchú said. 'The ESB is a profitable company that should be prioritising increased investment in our electricity grid. 'My worry is that ESB Networks may be trying to cut costs by not investing in our electricity infrastructure to the extent that they should be. Power cuts have an enormous impact on families, in particular as many homes are now passive homes that depend on heat pumps and don't have open fires or stoves. 'Customers deserve an explanation as to why they are facing more power cuts when they are paying the second highest electricity prices in Europe. The least Irish customers deserve is more investment in the infrastructure that delivers that electricity'
