Local TD, Denis Naughten has welcomed the allocation of a €169m EU Just Transition Fund for the Midland Counties but cautioned that it is “vital that this funding delivers long term sustainable jobs across the region to replace the jobs lost in both the ESB and Bord na Mona”. “The closure of the two power stations in Lanesboro and …
Huge blow to East Galway as Arrabawn votes to close Kilconnell plant – Naughten
“Devastating news has come in overnight that the Board of Arrabawn Co-Op has voted to close its liquid milk plant in Kilconnell with the loss of up to 140 local jobs in rural East Galway,” says Denis Naughten TD. “This announcement is a huge blow to the staff employed both directly and indirectly, their families, particularly at a time …
Clear pathway urgently needed to achieve 51% reduction in emissions – Naughten
It is imperative we now have a clear roadmap on how we can practically achieve the 51% national emissions reduction target for 2030 across each sector, says Denis Naughten TD. “Across each of the sectors we are now seeking monumental change over the next 89 months, a rate of change that has not been achieved anywhere on our planet. This …
State banking force needed to provide local service – Naughten
AIB’s reversal of the decision to remove cash services from Castlerea and Ballinasloe branches, as well as 68 other locations across the country is welcome, but the fact remains that such banking services are under threat right across our towns unless an alternative approach is taken, says local TD Denis Naughten “It must be noted that the planned withdrawal of …
€30m post office package welcome but Government still silent on long term sustainability – Naughten
The allocation of €30m in once off-funding over three years to the post office network is welcome but ignores the need for a long-term sustainability strategy that is key for postmasters/mistresses to decide if they will continue to keep the doors open, says Denis Naughten TD. “As the architect behind the strategic plan to save An Post and its network …
Ericsson jobs boost confirms midlands as Silicon Heartlands – Naughten
Local TD Denis Naughten has welcomed the announcement by Ericsson that it is to recruit 250 people at its Research and Development Centre in Athlone to support the ongoing development of its global 5G mobile technology programme. “This is a significant endorsement of Athlone as an integral part of Ericsson’s global research and development footprint from a company which has …
Carbon taxes are penalising families not driving climate change
The carbon tax is supposed to be an environmental tax to drive behavioural change when it comes to the use of fossil fuels. In such circumstances the most effective tax is the one that brings in little revenue because it is doing what it should do, namely, driving behavioural change. Today, a carbon tax has no impact on behaviour because …
Builders to tell Housing Minister to refurbish vacant homes – Naughten
Time to remove “demand test” from Government’s refurbishment scheme The construction industry will tell Government it must do far more to bring vacant property back into use when it meets with Minister Darragh O’Brien later today to discuss the current housing emergency, says Denis Naughten TD. “This is the very point that I have been making for some years,” …
Why Ireland won’t benefit from US natural gas deal
Last Friday, the European Council accepted an offer from the US for deliveries of natural gas to reduce our dependence on Russian gas and to help address energy costs. Because natural gas is a key element of electricity generation in Ireland, it has to the potential to reduce costs here. But as we have no way of storing the gas, …
Data centres pushing up electricity costs for families – Naughten
Irish families are paying for some of the most expensive electricity in Europe in part due to the fact that they are subsidising the supply of electricity to data centres, a practice which must be stopped by the Government, says Denis Naughten TD. Addressing the issue in the Dáil last Thursday he told the Minister for Finance that Irish …