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VW offers up to €10,000 to ditch old diesels in Germany

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VOLKSWAGEN GROUP has announced it will offer as much as €10,000 to owners of older diesel to tempt them to trade them in for a new VW in their home market.

The aim of the new scheme is seen as VW Group enthusiastically backing the German government’s new drive to rid the country of ‘polluting’ diesels, Dieselgate – the irony.

The cynical among us can only see the pressures coming from Angela Merkel, on her campaign trail recently bashing the CEOs of the German auto industry from the revelations of the Dieselgate affair and the effects it has had on the German industrial reputation, a reputation that Germany has built its whole economy on.

The auto industry is the largest industrial sector in Germany, contributing about 2.7% to GPD. Some 20% of Germany's exports are from the auto industry. Domestic and export auto sales are in the region of €400billion a year employing over 800,000 people.

Who has who over a barrel is difficult to see on the face of it but the German car industry throughout its history has had strong political connections. We all know who commissioned the ‘Peoples Car’. In VW’s case today, the German state of Lower Saxony owns 20% of VW’s voting stock worth €7.7billion making it the second largest shareholder.

Two representatives on VW's supervisory board have regional political careers with little insight car-making industry. The German auto industry will be a political football in the upcoming German elections but could spell the end of political meddling in the industry for good.

Other German automakers have also offered the German government a new quick fix software update to cut NOx emissions in five million vehicles. The free fix, seen as an industry-wide attempt to avert an outright diesel ban, is claimed to reduce harmful smog-inducing NOx emissions by 25 to 35 per cent.

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Network Ireland Kerry discuss sustainable success

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Network Ireland Kerry held their third annual collaboration event last Wednesday at the Rose Hotel, Tralee. The theme was: “The Journey to Sustainable Success” which brought three industry experts together to talk about their own journey to sustainable successful.

Business professionals, entrepreneurs, and financial leaders came together for this highly anticipated event to learn about the journey from becoming a start-up, to a small-to-medium enterprise (SME), and a large SME.

The event was opened by AIB Branch Liaison for Network Ireland Kerry and AIB Castleisland Branch Manager, Colleen Shannon. It was MC’d by AIB Tralee Branch Manager, Stephen Stack.

Sarah Farrar of AINMHÌ, Garrett Dillon of Mr. Binman and Dillon Waste Ltd. and Susan Quirke-Crowley of Mounthawk Montessori School Group were among the speakers at the event.

These leaders spoke about their challenges, milestones, and breakthroughs they encountered, from launching an idea to scaling operations nationally.

Tara Elzingre of Tara Elzingre Consultancy, Zaneta Labuz-Czerwein of Rustic Boowa and Sharon Hartnett of U Coaching promoted their businesses for ‘Minute on the Mic’

Emily Reen, Network Ireland Kerry President, described the event as a testament to the power of partnership. She said: “The event underscored a powerful message: sustainable business success is not a solo journey. With the right partnerships, teams and financial tools, businesses of all sizes can grow with purpose, resilience, and long-term impact.”

Network Ireland Kerry will host their next monthly event on November 12 in Killarney and in collaboration with the Kerry Local Enterprise Office, titled: “Gain Competitive Advantage in Your Business”. This event will be MC’d by Karen Ronan, 2025 National Vice President of Network Ireland and CEO of Galway Chamber. This event is open to non-members and members, and everyone is welcome from 6 pm for networking and refreshments, with the event taking place from 6.30 pm to 8.30 pm.

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Minor injury clinic to open by this time next year

The Killarney Local Injury Clinic is expected to be open by Q3 2026, according to the HSE. The proposed unit will be located on the grounds of St Columbanus Home. […]

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The Killarney Local Injury Clinic is expected to be open by Q3 2026, according to the HSE. The proposed unit will be located on the grounds of St Columbanus Home.

The timeline was confirmed in response to a Parliamentary Question from Fianna Fáil TD Michael Cahill, who said the project will follow the relocation of the Community Nursing Unit from its current site to the grounds of the old St Finan’s Hospital. Once the transfer is complete, construction of the injury clinic can proceed.
Deputy Cahill described the two new health facilities as “a fantastic addition for Killarney and the wider East, Mid, and South Kerry regions” and noted they will help reduce waiting times at University Hospital Kerry A&E.
“I will continue to push for enhanced health services for our people,” added the Fianna Fáil Spokesperson for Older People.
The new clinic is expected to provide urgent care services for local residents, easing pressure on hospital emergency departments and improving access to timely treatment in the Killarney area.

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