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Kelly urges von der Leyen to act on Daylight Savings time

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Seán Kelly MEP marked the Autumn Equinox on Tuesday by urging European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen to reignite efforts towards scrapping the bi-annual clock change.

Mr. Kelly is Ireland’s only Member of the European Parliament’s Working Group on the bi-annual Clock Change, and has been campaigning for the best part of a decade to scrap Daylight Savings Time.

Speaking from Killarney, he highlighted the need to revisit the issue, which awaits EU Member States taking a formal position in the European Council, two years on from an EU-wide public consultation which saw 84 percent of respondents in favour of putting an end to the bi-annual clock change.

“The EU-wide public consultation on daylight savings time two years ago received 4.6 million responses – the highest ever engagement for an EU public consultation.

“EU citizens overwhelmingly supported the abolishment of the biannual clock change and ending this outdated practice.

“This is an issue of great interest to my constituents across Ireland-South. Studies have shown that the disruption caused by the clock change has a detrimental impact on our health. It can lead to weakened immunity and sleeping patterns and in some cases, increased anxiety and depression. It can also affect tiredness in drivers, increasing the risk of accidents.

"We need to listen to our voters and deliver on an initiative that has overwhelming support among EU citizens."

MEP Kelly noted that political leadership at the highest level was needed to persuade EU Member States to agree with the wish of both European Commission and European Parliament to end the annual practice.

“Jean-Claude Juncker’s Commission proposed to scrap the clock change in September 2018, and Parliament endorsed this position in March 2019. Member States have so far failed to back the proposal. Now it is time for President von der Leyen to put pressure on Member States and resolve this issue once and for all.”

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Soroptimist make €3k donation to Rockmount Care Centre

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Members of the Killarney Soroptimist Society visited the Rockmount Care Centre on Wednesday, to present a cheque for €3000 to Nurse Manager Mary Hussey.


The significant sum was raised during the society’s successful annual pancake morning held on Shrove Tuesday at the Killarney Avenue Hotel.
Rockmount Care Centre provides essential support as a dedicated day care facility for individuals living with Dementia and Alzheimer’s, serving many clients and families from the Killarney area.
These funds arrive at a vital time, as they are earmarked for the centre’s new sensory garden project, which is currently in the design phase.
Pictured at the presentation are Soroptimists members handing over the proceeds to Mary Hussey. The society extended their thanks to the Killarney Avenue Hotel and all those who supported the fundraiser to help make this donation possible.

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Public realm works begin on Main Street and Kenmare Place

Repair works for the Killarney Public Realm project officially commenced on Monday, April 20, following approval from the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage. This phase of the project, […]

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Repair works for the Killarney Public Realm project officially commenced on Monday, April 20, following approval from the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage.

This phase of the project, funded by the URDF, focuses on enhancing the streetscape and accessibility of both Main Street and Kenmare Place.
To allow the appointed contractors to carry out the investment safely, a section of the R-878 on Main Street, stretching from Kenmare Place to Plunkett Street, is now closed to traffic. This first period of construction is scheduled to run from April 20 until July 3.
Recognising the importance of the tourism season, the council has confirmed the street will fully reopen from July 4 to October 4 to accommodate peak summer traffic. Following this break, works will resume for a second period starting October 5 and running until December 4.
While vehicle diversions are in place, pedestrian access to all businesses and emergency service access will be maintained throughout the construction phases. Kerry County Council stated that these works are part of a wider programme to improve the safety and quality of the town centre and has thanked the public and local business owners for their cooperation during these essential improvements.

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