Climate Action Plan Meeting

I met with Ministers Simon Coveney and Martin Heydon recently to discuss the new Climate Action Plan 2021. I raised the need for the Government to finalise the Draft Revised Wind Energy Development Guidelines. These guidelines will provide rural communities with the technical guidance they need in order to allow them to participate fully in…

Kildare Climate and Energy Week

This week is Kildare Climate and Energy Week and there are some good events taking place in-person and online over the next few days. There are a couple of talks featuring peatlands which I am interested in myself, but there is something for everyone. Check out the full list of events and register at https://kildare.ie/…/Clima…/KildareClimateandEnergyWeek/

Register to Vote

If you are living in Ireland and over 18, or will be 18 on February 15th 2022, then you can register to vote now by FREEPOST, without needing a Garda witness. Simply print out and fill in the form at https://b-wy.se/voting-form and send it to: Kildare County Council Áras Chill Dara Devoy Park FREEPOST Naas…

Speed Limit Review

Kildare County Council are currently carrying out a review of the speed limits in the entire county. A draft copy of the proposed changes is now open for public consultation. It is intended to increase the speed limit in many rural areas and I raised concerns about this in January, some of which have been…

Green Kilometre Scheme

The Environment department of Kildare County Council run the ‘Green Kilometre’ scheme every year, to encourage groups or individuals to look after a stretch of road near where they live. My Green Kilometre is the R414 road to Lullymore, and I am taking advantage of the lack of growth at the moment to get it…

Meeting with Maria Walsh MEP

Maria Walsh MEP met with us this morning, and I spoke to her about the full inclusion of Kildare in Just Transition funding and the match funding criteria for this scheme. I also asked Maria about how Irish law needs to comply with the EU Habitats Directive, particularly in relation to Annex V species, which…

Hill of Allen Lights Up

Great initiative by Into Kildare. Absolutely amazing to see our most prominent landmark on the Hill of Allen lighting up across the surrounding countryside! My thanks to all involved for bringing this symbol of hope to the people of Kildare. Well done to Allenwood man Enda Grace of Dundara Television & Media who produced the…

Ireland’s COVID-19 Data Hub

I’ve been keeping track of COVID-19 cases in our area using the Government’s Data Hub. See https://covid19ireland-geohive.hub.arcgis.com/. I pay more attention to these local numbers more than the national figures at this point. I’m also finding that a daily walk and getting some fresh air is really helping my mental health. Try to get outside…