Driving at Christmas and in December can be risky.People are distracted and do funny things; the weather can change quickly and cause issues. Vigilance is needed like in summertime. It is not just motorists that are in danger but also cyclists and walkers too. Where Hi Vis jackets and walk on footpaths.The Road...
Express View
Council finances hit by Irish Water and other issues
Council finances hit by Irish Water and other issues
Waterford seems to be getting the hard end in relation to the forthcoming annual rates review for business in the city.A 5 per cent increase seems extraordinary and is unlikely to be adopted.With an election coming in the new year, this is a strange move by Government to lump a big rates bill on Waterford.The Chamber...
Shop local for Christmas
Shop local for Christmas
As we write this on Monday prior to Black Friday, we are looking at one of the biggest online shopping days of the year.Shoppers across the world are searching for value and variety in the run up to Christmas. People need though to shop local and support local shops in Waterford and the south east with their...
Waterford tourism launch
Waterford tourism launch
Great to see new brand developments for Waterford Tourism. In the late nineties there were some good tourism initiatives by Redmond O Donoghue, with the Waterford tourism brand.Now we have another one with the visitwaterford website.David McCoy of the House of Waterford Crystal did a good job on the launch at Tramore...
Waterford North Wharf plans finally submitted
Waterford North Wharf plans finally submitted
The ongoing story in relation to the North Quays is finally reaching full planning stage and now the next step is to see if any objections will arise.Some local authorities nearby have expressed reservations due to the scale of it.Traders in the city centre of Waterford could also be worried about its impact on the...
UK election sees Brexit delayed
UK election sees Brexit delayed
Ireland has got a good break pre Christmas with a delay in Brexit.The outcome will be uncertain. The next Brexit deadline is now three months time.Even then it is likely that the transition period will be at least till the end of next year and could go on longer depending on how transition talks happen.A different...
Dail voting reform needed for TDs
Dail voting reform needed for TDs
The situation regarding Dail voting is far from satisfactory.Perhaps there needs to be a better system, but it also requires better monitoring to stop this double voting and abuse of the system.We can recall an Irish MEP who had himself signed into the European Parliament and claimed attendance money, even though he...
Climate Change
Climate Change
Climate Change is becoming a larger and larger issue and demonstrations are growing in cities including Dublin and LondonWhat are practical things that can be done here as a personal commitment? Simple things like walking to shops more and driving less, getting out the bike from the shed might be another...
Brexit crucial stage
Brexit crucial stage
Finally, we see that after all the huge press campaign by the UK for various demands that many were unworkable That reality is beginning to dawn.The danger is for congestion in the ports and the great disruption to Northern Ireland in terms of flow of goods. The issues are complex. We met with Sean Kelly MEP last...
Housing demands remain and need addressing in Budget
Housing demands remain and need addressing in Budget
Respond Housing launched its Pre Budget Submission last week, calling on the Government to ensure that affordable rental housing for intermediate households is prioritised in Budget 2020. The organisation said the Budget provides a timely opportunity for the Government to assess what policies are working well and to...
2019 European elections: Record turnout driven by young people
2019 European elections: Record turnout driven by young people
The high turnout in the 2019 European elections was driven by a surge in participation by young people, according to a Eurobarometer survey commissioned by the European Parliament in June. Good news but we watch with worry and some amusement at what is happening in the UK and we see there how voters there are not...
IDA growing regional focus
IDA growing regional focus
The IDA is doing up a new plan for 2020 and the good news is that the regional focus will grow.In the past they have been criticised for putting too many jobs in Dublin mostly due to client demand.But now with labour shortages in Dublin and housing costs there is a greater reginal focus.An IDA division boss stated in...
