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Air Ambulance could be grounded today (Friday) 

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By Sean Moriarty

 

Ireland’s new charity Air Ambulance service, the Irish Community Rapid Response (ICRR), could be grounded today (Friday) - unless €370,000 has been found to save the service.

 

The Air Ambulance, which is based on an airfield near Millstreet County Cork and since its foundation in July last year has flown on 250 different missions.

 

Operating entirely as a charity, the service receives no government funding and all its purchases, such as aviation fuel, is subjected to VAT.

 

Two weeks ago, ICRR Operations Manager Ruth Bruton, put out an urgent appeal for funds to keep the service in the sky. A fundraising drive at that time raised €30,000 but a shortfall of €370,000 remains. The net result is the helicopter may not be able to fly this weekend as there is no money available to pay bills, wages and operating fees.

 

“We planned for 350 missions in our first 12 months based on mission figures from the State funded Aer Corps Emergency Aeromedical Service (EAS) in 2018, which saw them carry out 310 missions,” she said. “In a little over five months, we have flown over 270 missions which raises our estimates to 600 possible life-saving missions per year. With our increased demand, we need support now more than ever.”

 

Mayor of Killarney Michael Gleeson is calling on Government support to keep the Air Ambulance in the sky.

 

“The Government should immediately accept long term responsibility for the cost of running this service,” he told the Killarney Advertiser. “The air ambulance has a particular importance in our county with its rugged mountainous terrain and difficult to access locations. The air ambulance should be acknowledged and supported as a vital and indispensable health service.”

 

 

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Contactless payments launched on Local Link services

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Passengers using TFI Local Link Kerry services in Killarney and across the county can now pay for their journeys using contactless card payments.

The National Transport Authority (NTA) confirmed the rollout this week, allowing commuters to simply tap their debit card, credit card, or mobile devices, such as Apple Pay and Google Pa, when boarding.

The move is designed to offer more convenience for those using high-frequency rural and regional routes.

In Killarney, the new payment option will be available on the TFI Anseo town services, which have seen a significant increase in passenger numbers since their introduction.

The contactless system is currently available for single journey fares, while those using daily or weekly passes can continue to use the Leap website or the TFI Leap Top Up App.
Alan O’Connell, General Manager of TFI Local Link Kerry, welcomed the modernisation of the fleet.

“The introduction of contactless payments is another welcome step forward for public transport in Kerry,” he said. “It complements other major projects in the county, including the expansion of TFI Local Link services and the delivery of TFI Anseo in Killarney, which is proving to be another great initiative.”

While the new technology offers a modern alternative, traditional payment methods are not being phased out. Cash payments, TFI Leap cards, and Free Travel Cards all remains fully valid across the network.

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How will our Kerry TDs vote tomorrow?

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Tomorrow, Sinn Féin will be tabling a motion of no confidence against the Government after the protests that took place nationwide during the week.

Earlier today we asked our readers how would they vote in a no confidence motion against the Government?

Most of our readers said they would vote no confidence, while some said, yes they do have confidence in the Government.

One reader said: “Vote confidence. The only proper leadership over the last few days came from government. Courage came when needed despite how unpopular it looked in the moment. By contrast, opposition politicians wanted the country to burn to suit themselves”.

Another reader stated: “No confidence. Shambolic and heavy handed handling of protests this past week”.

However, some people didn’t have any confidence in either side with a reader saying: “No confidence in the no confidence! Different wings of the same bird! We need a complete overhaul of the political system”.

We asked the question to our 5 Kerry TDs before lunch-time today, asking them what their vote will be tomorrow.

We received one reply from Sinn Féin’s Kerry TD Pa Daly.

He will be voting no confidence in the Government tomorrow along with his party.

Other media outlets are reporting that Independent TD Danny Healy-Rae is undecided at the moment.

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