Wexford politician follows James McClean's lead by refusing to wear poppy – ‘Let's not use such powerful military symbolism'

While footballer James McClean has frequently incurred the wrath of match-going fans in the UK for his refusal to wear the remembrance poppy during games, a Wexford politician has been met with a more measured reaction for his refusal to do the same.
As the cathaoirleach of the Rosslare Municipal District (RMD) Aontú councillor Jim Codd was recently invited to meet with his peers in Fishguard, Wales, to discuss the ongoing partnership between the regions. However, with those across the channel marking the 80th anniversary of the end of World War 2, Cllr Codd found himself in a somewhat difficult position upon his arrival at the Welsh port.

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Irish Times

6 days ago

• Irish Times

There is still a small chance of rescuing Wexford lagoon from the same fate as Lough Neagh

Ireland still enjoys a reasonably healthy democracy, but we should not underestimate the potential for untruths and wilful ignorance to infect our political discourse. The Government, on the whole, does not deny climate science. So far so good. But when it comes to water quality, alternative facts are endemic. I witnessed an example of this on June 5th. The Minister for Agriculture Martin Heydon was challenged outside a Department of Agriculture conference by a group of activists from Animal Rebellion over the impact of agricultural run-off into Lady's Island, an important saltwater lagoon in Co Wexford. 'Where's the evidence for that?' he replied tetchily. It is tempting to craft a detailed response to the Minister, listing out all the studies published over the last two decades by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and forwarded as a matter of course to his department, but what is the point? Either the Minister is poorly informed or prefers not to know. READ MORE The facts are actually piled high in EPA reports on the shelves of his own department and those of Teagasc and local authorities. The EPA's catchment studies show agriculture accounts for roughly 70 per cent of nitrogen inputs in the southeast of Ireland. The data overwhelmingly points to farming – livestock and tillage – as the dominant pressure on water quality. And nitrate pollution is actually on the rise at more than a third of river sites. An Taisce's recent submission to the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Climate, Environment and Energy stated that the nitrogen pollution problem in the south and southeast was a result of ineffective regulation, combined with a notable lack of enforcement of the regulations we do have. All the scientific evidence points to the need for a radical reduction in fertiliser and slurry spreading in sensitive catchments. An EPA-funded study published earlier this year and conducted by Aquafact found a five to seven-fold reduction in nitrogen and phosphorus inputs to Lady's Island Lake would be necessary to return the lagoon to good ecological status. [ 'The lough isn't just dying, it's been killed': How Lough Neagh reached crisis point ] This will require changes to farming practices and the construction of buffers and wetlands, as well as tree planting, to contain the nutrient losses. It will also require stepped up inspections and enforcement: since 2018, Wexford County Council has only conducted 30 farm inspections despite the critical state of the lagoon. The Aquafact study was considered at a hearing of the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Climate, Environment and Energy last week. There was no denial evident from the experts who addressed the committee. Not from Wexford County Council , nor from the National Parks and Wildlife Service . Their representatives pointed out that it has been known for four decades that Lady's Island, an ecologically important saltwater lagoon used by migrating birds, was in steady decline. Local farmers are, on the whole, compliant with the environmental regulations. But if the government's Nitrates Action Plan is not fit for purpose, and permits too much nitrates and phosphates to be deposited in sensitive catchments, then nutrient run-off and pollution is inevitable. However, the Minister for Agriculture has yet to state in the Dáil that he will act decisively to improve water quality, hiding instead behind vague statements such as 'science is telling us things are not where they should be'. It seems like everyone apart from the Minister for Agriculture is in agreement that radical measures are required to reduce nutrient losses. But if the Minister believes there is insufficient evidence to act, then he can justify more studies, more talk, more delays. Politically speaking, his goal is to retain the nitrates derogation (which permits higher stocking rates of cattle), not to save Lady's Island. Retaining the nitrates derogation has become the rallying cry for the entire agricultural sector and its political backers, despite the obvious problem that it is adding to the pollution burden in our rivers, lakes and estuaries. So it would be wrong to think of the death of Lady's Island as a tragedy. Government policy on nitrates is designed to fail, but to keep the derogation regardless. The policy is to sacrifice water quality where it cannot be improved with modest interventions, to support agricultural exports. The Minister has a small chance of rescuing the lagoon from the fate of Lough Neagh by acting decisively to reduce nutrient pollution and to fund the required measures, but I won't be holding my breath. Sadhbh O'Neill is a climate and environmental researcher

The Irish Sun

15-06-2025

• The Irish Sun

Thousands of UK drivers face huge speed limit change under new road rules – is your route affected?

THOUSANDS of UK drivers will face a huge speed limit change under new road rules - is your route affected? The Welsh Government announced plans to lower the default speed limit from 30mph to 20mph, in 2023. 1 Welsh councils can revert to a 30mph speed limit Credit: Getty The decision sparked major public backlash, with hundreds of thousands of locals signing petitions calling for the rule to be scrapped. It appears residents were heard, as the Government later confirmed that councils could opt out by restoring some roads to the original 30mph limit the following year. This prompted fresh discussions, as local authorities began working with drivers to decide which roads should return to the higher speed limit. Some areas have since reverted to the 30mph limit, while others are still in the process of making the change. read more on motors At the time, plans to slash the threshold for drivers being fined on 20mph roads have been branded " Motorists across Wales were still getting used to the 20mph speed limits on restricted roads as the Government worked with local authorities to make necessary changes. Following the heavily criticised rollout, Labour announced it would look to amend the policy so it was more focused on roads that actually need it - instead of it being a blanket measure. To that end, the standard threshold for drivers to be slapped with a speeding fine is 10 per cent plus two miles per hour. Most read in Motors This was changed to four miles per hour for the new 20mph roads, as requested by GoSafe, who called on chief police officers to be more lenient on drivers as they adjust to the nationwide proposal. This means that if a driver is caught speeding at 24mph in the 20mph zone, they will not be fined. Major Speed Limit Changes on Scottish Roads However, a penalty charge notice could be issued if they're caught at 26mph. But reports now suggest changes could be introduced to amend this threshold and could see drivers fined if they're travelling at 24mph. According to Wales Online, chief police officers were set to review the policy in March. The former leader of the Welsh Conservatives, Andrew RT Davies MS, Senedd Member for South Wales Central, said: "Dropping this threshold would be utter madness. "The 20mph policy is crackers enough without implementing a low threshold which is hard to match at low speeds. "Labour's failed 20mph experiment should be dropped." In 2024, 48,203 offences were recorded in Mid and South Wales, while 36,710 were given out in North Wales. In total, 84,913 offences were recorded across the country. Average offence speeds peaked in April for Mid and South Wales at 30.4mph, while North Wales saw the average offence speed peak at 32.7mph in May. Throughout 2024, the GoSafe road safety partnership revealed that 13,443 engagement sessions had taken place in which the Welsh Fire and Rescue Services delivered a 10-minute presentation about the speed limit changes. A spokesperson for GoSafe said: "While the public get used to the change in default limit, chief police officers have allowed us to increase this to 10 per cent plus 4mph in 20mph only, meaning we start to prosecute at 26mph in a 20mph limit. "This allows us to concentrate on offences more significantly over the speed limit. "The increased enforcement threshold is scheduled to be reviewed by Chief Officers in March 2025, however, they will continue to monitor it and may review it before this date. Any change will be communicated in advance through official sources." The roads that are in contention for changes Anglesey These roads have been proposed to change to 30mph. Amlwch A5025 Amlwch, Lon Parys to Ffordd Madyn Benllech, A5025 Bodffordd, A5 approach Bryn Du, unnamed Class 3 road Bull Bay, A5025 Caergeiliog, A5 Bryngwran approach Gaerwen, Lon Groes - industrial estate road Holyhead A5153, Parc Cybi Holyhead A5154, Victoria Road Llanddaniel, A5 approach Llanddaniel, Llanedwen approach Llanddaniel, level crossing approach Llandegfan, Ffordd yr Eglwys Llanfachraeth, A5025 Llanfaes, unmamed Class 3 road from the B5109 Llanfair PG A5025 near park and ride facility Llanfihangel yn Nhowyn, RAF Valley, Minffordd Road Llangefni, Industrial Estate Road Newborough, A4080 Malltraeth approach Pentraeth, B5109 Beaumaris approach Rhosmeirch, B5111 Coedana approach Rhosneigr, A4080 Llyn Maelog approach Talwrn, Old school road (Due to Closed School) Trearddur Bay, B4545 Lon St Ffraid East Blaenau Gwent A section of the A467, Aberbeeg Road, will revert to its former speed limit of 40mph. All other roads currently set at 20mph should remain. Caerphilly It has been reported that dozens of roads in the county are being considered to be reverted back to 30mph from 20mph but no further details are available. Cardiff Four roads in will be reverted back to 30mph Newport Road: All of Western Avenue:A section of Western Avenue west of the Taff River Bridge up to the junction with Cardiff and Llandaff Road. The council decided there are enough pedestrian crossings and significant separation between carriageways and footways to allow a return to 30mph. Ocean Way:From Beignon Close to Rover Way. As the area is mainly non-residential and carries a lot of traffic to the Link Road the speed limit will change. Hadfield Road:The section between the junction with Leckwith Road and Carmarthenshire The following A and B Class roads are proposed to return to 30mph, subject to consultation and the Traffic Regulation Order process: A484 Cwmdwyfran (in full) A484 Pentre-Morgan (in full) A484 Pentrecagal (in full) B4297 Heol Y Bwlch, Bynea (in part - for a length of 600m from its junction with Yspitty Road to its junction with Y Gerddi) B4333 Hermon (in part – on southern approach to the village only) B4312 Llangain (in part – on both approaches to the village) B4312 Moument Hill, Carmarthen (in full) B4308 Carmarthen Road, Kidwelly (in part – on the southern approach to the town for a distance of approximately 246m) B4556 New Link Road, Penygroes (in full) B4306 Heol Y Parc, Hendy (in part - from Llannon direction up to its junction with Clos Glyn Dwr) B4337 Llanybydder (in part) - for a distance of 150m on the eastern approach into Llanybydder from Ty Mawr Ceredigion There will be no proposed changes to any existing speed limits. Conwy Conwy Council has drawn up a list of priority roads that will be assessed. A final decision has yet to be made on the following roads. B5115: B5115 from Brompton Avenue, Bae Colwyn (Colwyn Bay) through Llandudno Road, Bae Penrhyn (Penrhyn Bay) B5115 Colwyn Road, Llandudno to Conway Road, Llanrhos Bryn Lupus Road, Llanrhos Rhos Promenade and Marine Drive, Llandrillo-yn-Rhos (Rhos on Sea) Glan y Mor Road, Bae Penrhyn (Penrhyn Bay) B5106: B5106 from Gyffin through Tal y Bont B5106 Dolgarrog to Trefriw A547: A547 Llanddulas Road, Abergele A547 Abergele Road, from Wynnstay Road to the 40mph east of Highlands Road, Hen Golwyn (Old Colwyn) A547 Conwy bridge A548: Foryd Road and Towyn Road, Tywyn (Towyn) and Bae Cinmel (Kinmel Bay) B5383: Rotary Way, Hen Golwyn (Old Colwyn) St Asaph Avenue, Bae Cinmel (Kinmel Bay) B5113: Kings Drive to Llanrwst Road, Bryn y Maen B5279 Tyn y Groes Road Meirion Drive, Conwy B4406 Penmachno to A5 Conway Old Road to Bwlch Sychnant (Sychnant Pass) Maesdu Avenue, Deganwy Denbighshire The council has announced it has no plans to increase the speed limit on any of its 20mph roads Flintshire The council has said that it will begin the process of reverting some roads back to 30mph in July. It said more than 1,000 requests had been received and all had been assessed. These are the roads which have been nominated to have their speed limit changed. Final decisions on them are yet to be confirmed: A5026 from Lloc to A5151 A5026 Holway Road/Fron Park Road/Halkyn Road, Holywell A5104 Chester Road to High Street, Saltney A5104 Main Road, Broughton A5104 Mold Road, Broughton A5104 Pontybodkin to Coed Talon A5119 Flint, Northop Road A5119 King Street A5119 King Street to Leadmills A5119 New Brighton A5119 Northop Road, Northop A5119 Ruthin Road, Mold A541 Caergwrle A541 Cefn y Bedd A541 Denbigh Road, Mold A541 Hendre A541 Pontblyddyn B5441 Welsh Road, Deeside A548 Bagillt Road A548 Mostyn Road A548 Oakenholt to Flint A548 Weighbridge Road, Deeside A549 Dobshill to Penrhwylfa Roundabout A550 Gladstone Way, Hawarden A550 Hawarden Road, Caegwrle A5119 Aber Road, Flint Alltami Road, Buckley Aston Hall Lane Aston Road B5121 Brynford Road B5121 Greenfield to Holywell B5125 Glynne Way B5125 Hawarden B5129 Kelsterton Road B5129 Sandycroft B5129 Shotton B5444 Wrexham Road, Mold Bagillt High Street Bannel Lane, Buckley Brunswick Road Bryn Lane, New Brighton Bryn Road, Mynydd Isa Bryn-y-Baal Road to Bryn Road, Mynydd Isa Burntwood Road to Wood Lane Carmel Road Chambers Lane B5128 Church Road, Buckley B5129 Connah's Quay High Street Deeside Industrial Park Drury Lane Drury New Road Dock Road, Greenfield Evans Way, Shotton Ewloe Interchange Factory Road, Sandycroft Fagl lane Ffordd Llanarth Ffordd Nercwys Ffordd Pentre Bach Gas Lane, Mold Globe Way, Buckley Green Lane East Greenfield Street to Greenfield Road Gwernaffield Road Hall Lane Kelsterton Lane, Connah's Quay Jubilee Road Level Road B5127 Liverpool Road, Buckley Llinegar Hill, Penyffordd Lower Aston Hall lane Maes Gwern, Mold B5126 Mold Road, Connah's Quay Manor Lane Industrial Estate Martins Hill Megs Lane Monastery Road Moor lane Mount Pleasant Road Nant Mawr Road, Buckley New Road, Drury Oakfield Road Padeswood Road South, Buckley Pen-Y-Maes Road Pinfold Lane, Buckley Plough Interchange Precinct Way, Buckley Queensferry roundabout Queen's Lane, Mold Raikes Lane Rhes-y-Cae River Lane, Saltney Sandy Lane, Saltney Spence Industrial Estate St Davids Park Shotton, Woodland Street The Willow Tinkersdale, Hawarden Vounog Hill to Wrexham Road, Penyffordd Wepre Lane to Wepre Drive, Connah's Quay Whitefarm Road, Buckley Wood Lane to St David's Park, Ewloe Woodlands Road, Mold Merthyr The council received comments on the following 20 roads, however a review will take place to decide whether they will be reverted back to 30mph. Pant Industrial Estate Pant Road to Pontsticill A4054 - Cardiff Road Treharris/Quakers Yard Aberfan to Troedyrhiw A4054 - Plymouth Street A4054 – Old Hoovers factory to petrol station A4054 - Caedraw roundabout to road bridge College Boulevard - Merthyr College/gyratory to Vauxhall garage A4054 - Caedraw roundabout to Vauxhall Garage roundabout Bethesda Street Brecon road - St Marys Church to Cyfarthfa Arms Cyfarthfa road - Pandy Clock to Mormon Church Top of Galon Uchaf roundabout to 10th Avenue Penydarren roundabout to Pontmorlais Top section of Swansea Road Aberdare Road Winchfawr A4054 - Upper Cefn High Street A4054 – Full length of Cefn High Street Whole of A4054 to revert back except outside schools Monmouthshire Council has decided it is not reverting any roads from the current 20mph speed limit. Neath Port Talbot Council The council has said it has received 93 comments about streets or roads following a consultation after the revised It said it was reviewing all the comments and assessing them against the guidance. Newport In March, 2025, the council stated its intention to change the speed limit for the following 16 streets in Caerphilly Road (part – extend existing 30mph from the property 'Brambles' up to Garth Terrace) Bassaleg Road (part – Pye Corner up to 130 Bassaleg Road) Bettws Lane (part – from Malpas Road to Newport High School) Duffryn Drive Duffryn Way Frederick Street George Street Lighthouse Road (part - between Morgan Way to a point prior to controlled crossing near Duffryn Way) Morgan Way Royal Oak Hill (part – extend existing 30mph to junction with Chepstow Road) Tredegar House Drive Tregwilym Road (part – Western Valley Road to Chartist Drive) Usk Road (part – extend existing 30mph to junction with The Hawthorns) Wern Industrial Estate West Nash Road (part – from junction with Nash Road to point near St Mary's Close) Wharf Road Pembrokeshire Pembrokeshire Council has asked for the public's views on any changes that should be made in its area. Powys It has been reported that the council has been consulting on possible changes and that the results of this will be presented in due course to cabinet. Rhondda Cynon Taf Council The council has been looking into 313 requests to change roads back from their current 20mph limit. But no decisions have so far been taken on any changes. Swansea There are 17 roads in Swansea that could potentially see their limits increased from 20mph to 30mph. A48 – From Penllergaer to Pontlliw -From a point 60 metres south of Parc Penderi in Penllergaer to a point 60 metres south of Oaklands Road in Pontlliw. B4295 – The Promenade, Penclawdd -From the current 30mph limit at a point 45 metres southwest of its junction with Graig-y-Coed west to its junction with Hall Lane. B4296 – Pentre Road (Pontardulais) -From the current 30mph limit at a point 360 metres south of its junction with Park Terrace to a point 130 metres south of this junction. B4296 – Pentre Road (Grovesend) -From the existing 30mph limit at a point 50 metres north of its junction with Clos Brynlliw, Grovesend south to a point 10 metres north of Clos Pengelli. B4296 Coalbrook Road (Grovesend) -From the existing 30mph limit 420 metres north of its junction with Frampton Road northwards for a distance of 100 metres. B4436 Mayals Road -From its junction with Mumbles Road west to the 40mph limit at a point 100 metres west of its junction with Curlew Close. B4620 Swansea Road/ Carmarthen Road (Llewitha) -From the existing 40mph limit on B4603 Clydach Road -From a point 30 metres north of its junction with Field Close north to a point 50 metres south of its junction with Lanllienwen Road. From its junction with the northern kerbline of the junction 45 roundabout of Carmel Road - From a point 40 metres east of Colwyn Avenue to a point 50 metres west of Crymlyn Road. Brynmill Lane - From its junction with Sketty Road southeast to its junction with Park Place. Gors Avenue -From a point 10 metres west of its junction with Townhill Road to its junction with Carmarthen Road. Townhill Road -From its junction with Gors Avenue to a point 10 metres west of its junction with Mayhill Road. Heol Ddu -From a point 20 metres west of its junction with Llangyfelach Road west to the existing 40mph limit 20 metres southwest of its junction with Roger Street. Heol y Cwmdu -From its junction with Carmarthen Road to a point 10 metres west of the access road to Parc Cwmdu. Mynydd Newydd Road -From the existing 40mph limit 50 metres south of its junction with Penplas Road to a point 20 metres north of its junction with Broughton Avenue. Pant Lasau Road - From the existing 40mph speed limit 113 metres southwest of the southern boundarybof the property known as Brynsirol northeast to a point 60 metres southwest of its junction with Heol Maes Eglwys. Pentregethin Road -From its junction with Pontarddulais Road east then southeast to a point 10 metres southeast of Woodford Road. Torfaen Consultations have taken place regarding the following roads to be revised, this is set to be completed by the end of spring, 2025. Newport Road, Cwmbran (part) Estate Road, Blaenavon (including Gilchrist Thomas Industrial Estate) The A4043 north from Pontypool towards Abersychan (part) New Road, between Griffithstown and New Inn (part) Usk Road, New Inn (part) Riverside, Pontypool Turnpike Road, Llanyravon (part) B4236 Caerleon Road (part) - 40mph section Vale of Glamorgan The speed limit on 83 roads could change in the Vale of Glamorgan but a list of which roads are being considered has not been shared. Wrexham These are the roads set for reversion to 30mph: B5445 Marford Hill, Marford B5445 Chester Road, Gresford A5152 Chester Road, Acton (A483 – Garden Village) A5152 Chester Road, Acton (Garden Village – City) Ty Gwyn Lane, Acton B5100 Rhosnesni Lane, Acton Jeffreys Road, Borras A534 Holt Road, Wrexham (Hullah Lane to Greyhound) A534 Holt Road, Borras (Greyhound to Link Road) A525 Ruthin Road, Wrexham A541 Mold Road, Gwersyllt A525 Kingsmills Road, Hightown Kingsmills Loop (Old A525) Abenbury Road, Abenbury Cefn Road, Abenbury A525 Marchwiel Road/Bangor Road, Marchwiel A528 Overton Road, Marchwiel A525 Bangor Road, Cross Lanes B5130 Holt Road/Kiln Lane, Cross Lanes B5425 New Road/ Main Road/ Llay New Road, Rhosrobin Plas Acton Road, Pandy B5425 Llay New Road, Llay B5102 Straight Mile/ Croeshowell Hill, Llay Gegin Lane, Llay Higher Lane, Llay Chapel Lane, Llay Phoenix Drive, Brymbo New High Street, Brymbo Railway Road, Brymbo B5101, The Lodge B5426 Wern Road, Minera B5426 Minera Hall Road, Minera B5426, The Wern B5605 Park Road/Newbridge Road, Rhosymedre A539 Llangollen Road, Trevor A539 Llangollen Road, Acrefair B5070, Chirk B5070, Chirk (buffer) B5605 Wrexham Road, Johnstown B5605 Ruabon Road, Johnstown Vauxhall Industrial Estate, Johnstown B5605 Ruabon Road, Ruabon B5605 New High Street, Ruabon B5605 Bridge Street, Ruabon A539/B5605 Ruabon Roundabout B5097 Plas Bennion to Tatham Road Plas Bennion Road/ Copperas Hill Plas Bennion Road (buffer) Credit:

Irish Independent

06-06-2025

• Irish Independent

Another vacant creche in Wexford estate as questions are asked of council – ‘What are the legalities of this?'

'Those homes have never been lived in and the creche has never been used,' she said. 'It's my understanding that it's a requirement for the developers to provide this essential service for the community. But the creche wasn't utilised, instead it's left there while we have serious childcare issues across the district. "What are the legalities of this? What can we do as a local authority?' Accepting that there are 'a number' of creches in estates across the county which haven't been developed, housing officer Sharon Ryan said there were 'conditions attached' to planning applications but that she would have to return at the next meeting with further details. Separately, Cllr O'Brien returned to an assertion recently made by chief executive of Wexford County Council (WCC) Eddie Taaffe that the council is currently exceeding its housing targets. 'There's only 12 houses listed in our monthly report in this district, and there's only been six properties advertised on choice-based letting (CBL) in the RMD this year, how can we be exceeding our housing targets?' she asked. 'That's nowhere near ambitious enough to meet the demand that's out there. Could we propose a motion from the RMD that we get our fair share of housing delivery here because we're not exceeding our targets in this district anyway.' After Ms Ryan stated that a further 55 properties in the RMD were due to be made available via approved housing bodies (AHB), Angela Finn of housing capital said that, despite appearances, the Rosslare district would meet its targets under the Housing For All scheme. 'We've already delivered 35 in Rosetown, but because it's a five-year plan and the targets were set a long time ago they are coming in slowly – a lot of them were before your time,' she said to Cllr O'Brien, who was elected last year. 'The numbers allocated to RMD haven't quite been met yet but there's two years to go and we will get there.' Ms Finn also provided Cllr Frank Staples with an update regarding houses in Tagoat which she said will be available for CBL this month.