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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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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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