Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

Oliver Moran @oliver.ie · 9h

Here's background to that local budget "spoof" last year — that ended up costing small businesses.

TLDR; FF/FG promised not to raise rates in an election year. So in order to balance the budget, they cut rebates to smaller businesses, who ended up paying more than if rates had been increased. 🤬

Cork City Council agrees revenue budget of €325m for 2025

Councillors voted by a majority 23 votes to three, to adopt the budget at the conclusion of the meeting, which was held in council chambers on ...

www.echolive.ie

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Oliver Moran @oliver.ie · 9h

The entire budget for BusConnects in Cork (plus a little more). 🤦‍♂️

In Cork City Council, we will be bringing in targeted rates rebates for smaller businesses — after FF/FG removed them last year, after tying themselves in knots in pre-election promises.

Lessons not learned by their higher-ups.

Green Party / Comhaontas Glas @greenpartyie.bsky.social · 1d

It's official. They're giving big restaurant chains a massive tax cut, costing nearly €700m in the #VAT cut to hospitality.

For that kind of money you could:

👨‍👩‍👦‍👦 Bring in a second tier of child benefit - lifting 55,000 children out of poverty
🚌 Make public transport free

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Reposted by Oliver Moran

Feljin Jose @feljin.ie · 1d

This is an eye-watering tax cut that will go directly into the pockets of big chain restaurants. This tax cut would fund the equivalent of building Luas Finglas every year.

Green Party / Comhaontas Glas @greenpartyie.bsky.social · 1d

It's official. They're giving big restaurant chains a massive tax cut, costing nearly €700m in the #VAT cut to hospitality.

For that kind of money you could:

👨‍👩‍👦‍👦 Bring in a second tier of child benefit - lifting 55,000 children out of poverty
🚌 Make public transport free

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Oliver Moran @oliver.ie · 9h

It can be useful to have two different people:

One (the Taoiseach) representing the down-and-dirty business of the State. Another (the President) representing the dignity of the State.

Also to have someone to make certain decisions but who remains "above politics" (e.g. dissolution of the Dáil).

Oliver Moran @oliver.ie · 10h

An early start this morning — taking the train to Dublin with special cargo for the launch of World Vacant Homes Day.

I'll be joined on the other end by Frank O'Connor and Jude Sherry, who will be special guests at the launch outside Leinster House.

A bicycle stored on a train with a sign that reads, "World Vacant Homes Day".

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Reposted by Oliver Moran

John Gibbons 🇵🇸 🇺🇦 🇪🇺 @thinkorswim.bsky.social · 22h

Amid the constant anti-renewables sentiment so common across our media, this letter today is a blessed relief.

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Reposted by Oliver Moran

Mike Sowden @mikeachim.bsky.social · 1d

Damn. This is amazing. £325 per week, paid monthly, for 3 years - and the result was a profit for the Irish economy:
www.citizensinformation.ie/en/employmen...

Post from Threads user rodneyowl: "Ireland has declared the Basic Income for Artists scheme permanent. This will be officially announced in tomorrow’s budget. Details to follow. Congratulations to all who fought for it and the present and future artists of all sorts in Ireland. That includes me 👌We’re just comin to the end of a 3 year pilot scheme. It’s been a roaring success. For every €1 paid out to the 2000 participants, the government got €1.46 back. Can’t argue with that. Other countries are already taking note."

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Oliver Moran @oliver.ie · 3d

Thanks to the Echo for reporting ahead of yesterday's Raise the Roof rally in Cork city centre.

The campaign highlights how housing policy under this government is disconnected from its core social purpose — of providing people with a place to live in security and dignity.

ℹ️ www.raisetheroof.ie

Cork Raise the Roof protest will ask government to address housing in Budget'26

The Raise the Roof campaign group, comprising trade unions, political parties, and civil society groups, will say that the Government must prioritise ...

www.echolive.ie

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Oliver Moran @oliver.ie · 3d

Thanks Amy Campbell and the Echo for reporting the latest round of funding for local organisations — under the Community Climate Action Fund.

If you're in a local sports group, tidy towns or residents association, and have an idea for a climate-related project, there's up to €100,000 ready for you.

Council unlocks almost €1m for climate action projects across Cork communities

Examples of projects that can be considered include energy efficiency upgrades, solar PV installations, composting, community gardens, green walls, ...

www.echolive.ie

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Reposted by Oliver Moran

🌎🐎John Hyphen🎮🤠 @johnhyphen.bsky.social · 5d

the EU parliament is looking for a native-level irish speaker for a press officer traineeship, starting next march

it's paid (€1660/month, no tax) and is a pretty sweet opportunity to see how the EU sausage is made, and a chance to try brussels (if you're not already here)

deadline end of october!

European parliament Traineeships - Press Unit - Post E: Press Officer, Gaelic Language

Consultez toutes les offres d'emploi Parlement européen stage et postulez en ligne a nos annonces emploi sur le site recrutement Parlement européen stage

ep-stages.gestmax.eu

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Reposted by Oliver Moran

Kevin M. Kruse @kevinmkruse.bsky.social · 4d

When you drag a woman by the hair, beat her and force her to kiss your flag, that’s how you tell the world you are the Good Guys

Jordan Uhl @jordanuhl.com · 4d

Absolutely heinous.

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Oliver Moran @oliver.ie · 3d

Scenes from emergency demonstrations in Cork and Dublin this week in solidarity with Sumud flotilla members taken by Israel.

Reports of abuses today give an insight into the operation of the Israeli regime, the nature of its occupation of Palestine, and its genocide in Gaza.

Green Party members at a demonstration in Dublin.

A demonstration in Cork in solidarity with flotilla members taken by the Israeli regime.

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Oliver Moran @oliver.ie · 3d

Strong turnout on a blustery afternoon in Cork city centre for the Raise the Roof demonstration this afternoon. 👏👏

My Green Party colleague, Dan Boyle, introduced speakers at the Emmet Place meeting point — and spoke about how every step being taken by this government is making the situation worse.

Cork Greens members at Emmet Place holding flags.

Dan Boyle speaking at the Raise the Roof rally in Cork.

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Reposted by Oliver Moran

Richard Chambers @newschambers.bsky.social · 3d

Via @theguardian.com www.theguardian.com/world/2025/o...

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Oliver Moran @oliver.ie · 4d

Thanks Sean Murray and the Irish Examiner for reporting the latest round of money available under the Community Climate Action Fund.

This is a brilliant opportunity for community organisations with creative climate-related projects in mind — up to €100,000 in funding available for each project.

Cork community groups invited to apply for funding to deliver on climate and biodiversity goals

Cork City Council has launched the second round of its Community Climate Action Programme Fund, which sees groups able to avail of funding of up to €100,000

www.irishexaminer.com

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Oliver Moran @oliver.ie · 5d

Thanks Thomas Lawrance and Cork Beo for reporting last night's Climate Leadership Mingle — and the second round of the Community Climate Action Fund.

The fund is open to community-based organisations with grants up to €100K for projects connected to building local climate readiness and resilience.

Boost for GAA clubs as Cork City Council offers €860k for green upgrades

The fund will help reduce costs and future proof communities

www.corkbeo.ie

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Oliver Moran @oliver.ie · 6d

Straight talking — and a shocking response from the Minister — at today's Love 30 demonstration at Leinster House.

Same message from councillors, regardless of party — from Cork, Dublin, Galway and Sligo — make 30km/h the default, and we'll apply special limits to the exceptions in urban areas.

Green Party representatives holding 30km/h signs outside Leinster House.

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Janne M. Korhonen @jmkorhonen.fi · 6d

Pictured: average Finnish #Green Party voter

(Of all Finns, they are the most willing to guarantee #Ukraine ‘s security, with 83% saying yes. That means going to war if the Kremlins attack again)

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Rage Against the Miocene @organiccarbon.bsky.social · 6d

One of the things i loved about Britain, despite its other failings, was a cross-party understanding and respect for evidence. Climate action was supported by Thatcher, Cameron, Johnson and May. Now, the Tories have been fully captured by ideology over evidence.

www.theguardian.com/environment/...

Kemi Badenoch vows to repeal Climate Change Act

Tory leader says she would replace it with ‘cheap energy’ strategy, ending decades-long consensus on climate

www.theguardian.com

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Oliver Moran @oliver.ie · 7d

🗓️ Saturday, 2:30pm, Grand Parade

Make sure you show out to Raise the Roof. 👏👏

No matter your circumstances, everyone knows someone affected by the housing emergency.

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Oliver Moran @oliver.ie · 7d

Surprising for some, but apartments now comprise the majority (51%) of housing developments by number of homes started since 2021 in the Cork City Council area.

The numbers are 4,225 units in apartments, compared to 3,871 in housing estates, as well as 202 one-off houses in the same time.

A chart showing, "Aggregated housing commencements", in the Cork City Council functional area.

A chart showing, "Housing commencements (since 2021)", in the Cork City Council functional area.

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Oliver Moran @oliver.ie · 7d

Thanks Amy Campbell and the Echo for reporting the re-establishment of Community Safety Forums in the city.

These are open-door, locally-focused forums for policing issues big and small in the city — now put on a statutory footing for communities and neighbourhoods.

All About Cork: Colouring, music, and fairy house crafting at Mayfield library

Mayfield features in today's All About Cork pages

www.echolive.ie

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Oliver Moran @oliver.ie · 7d

Thanks to Dáire Fitton and Cork Beo for reporting the tragic loss of life on the city and county roads already this year.

This week, I will be traveling to Dublin to show my support for the communities affected — and step up the campaign for safer neighbourhoods for everyone.

Cork's road death toll hits fourteen for 2025 after another week of tragedy

One of the deadliest periods on our roads in years

www.corkbeo.ie

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Oliver Moran @oliver.ie · 7d

Thanks to Amy Campbell and the Echo for reporting my comments on the new maintenance budget in footpaths across the city.

This year, Cork City Council took a special €4m loan spread across each of the five wards to kick-start footpath maintenance — on top of increased local ward-level budgets.

All About Cork: Locations of €800k footpath renewal works announced

Mayfield features in today's 'All About Cork' pages

www.echolive.ie

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Oliver Moran @oliver.ie · 8d

I'll be in Dublin this week showing support for residents of St Luke's, Kilcully and many other communities around the city affected by motorist speed.

We must ensure that the promises broken by Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael on changes to urban speed limits and road safety are implemented.

Love 30

Campaign Rally for Safer National Road Speeds

Date: Thursday 2nd Oct
Location: Leinster House
Time: 10:30am

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