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Mayor calling for new legislation for food wastage

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STOP FOOD WASTAGE: Mayor of Killarney, Cllr Michael Gleeson is hoping the Government will introduce new legislation to stop food wastage. Photo: Michelle Crean

By Michelle Crean

EXCLUSIVE

One local councillor is calling on the Government introduce legislation making it compulsory for all retail outlets to donate food close to its ‘Best Before Date’, to charity.

Mayor of Killarney, Cllr Michael Gleeson says the amount of perfectly good food which is wasted is outrageous.

At this month’s meeting of Kerry County Council, he proposed that Kerry County Council would call on the Government to introduce legislation that would make it compulsory for shops to donate food that is about to reach its ‘Best Before Date’ to charitable/humanitarian organisations.

“There are many charitable organisations who would gladly accept this food and distribute it wisely,” Cllr Gleeson told the Killarney Advertiser.

“I’m asking to make food which has come close to or reached its ‘Best Before Date’, to make it available to local charities who can then use it wisely to benefit those in need. It will stop food wastage. At least 30 percent goes to landfill which is a huge waste of resources and money for households.”

He said that tens of thousands of tonnes of food is disposed of in this manner every year.

He acknowledged that some supermarkets at present donate this food to deserving causes and thanked them for so doing, but stated that there is much room for improvement.

He suggested that legislation may ultimately be the only means of ensuring that all food is used wisely.

“The old adage of ‘wilful waste makes woeful want’ is still applicable,” he added.

The Motion was seconded and will now be forwarded to Government for consideration.

 

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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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