In a country which is unable to properly maintain road surfaces outside of Dublin city; the Road Safety Authority has announced price increases for a number of its services, including driving licence fees and NCTs.
The price of a driving licence is now set to increase in price by €10.00; from the current price of €55.00 to €65.00, while the price of a learner permit will also increase by €10.00 from €35.00 to €45.00.
A full NCT will now also increase in price by €5.00 from €55 to €60, while a retest currently costing €28.00, will now cost an extra €12.00; increased to €40.00.
A commercial vehicle roadworthiness test will also increase by 15% in the pre-VAT cost.
All price changes are expected to come into effect from January 1st 2025.
The RSA maintain that the increase in prices is due to a planned €18m expenditure on “public interest activities and government priorities”, (whatever they are).
Note: Ireland’s current national car fleet currently stands at some 2.36 million vehicles. Petrol and Diesel model account for 89% (two million vehicles) of this National Fleet, while Electric Vehicles (EV & PHEV) represent some 5%.Ireland’s current population in 2023 was 5.262 million.
Legal Services Regulatory Authority responsible for the regulation of the legal professions in Ireland
Government has yesterday appointed eight members to the Legal Services Regulatory Authority (LSRA), including six new appointments and two re-appointments.
The 11-member Authority is responsible for the regulation of the provision of legal services by legal practitioners. The 2015 Act sets out, at section 13(4), the six statutory objectives of the Authority:
Protect and promote the public interest.
Support the proper and effective administration of justice.
Protect and promote the interests of consumers relating to the provision of legal services.
Promote competition in the provision of legal services in the State.
Encourage an independent, strong and effective legal profession.
Promote and maintain adherence to the professional principles of legal practitioners as specified in the Act.
The Government appointed Mr. Tom Boland, who was nominated by the Higher Education Authority, to be the Authority’s new chairperson. He will replace the outgoing Chairperson Dr Don Thornhill, who has held the position since the establishment of the Authority in 2016.
The eight appointees/re-appointees are:
Bríd O’Donovan, nominated by the Citizens Information Board (CIB). Paul O’Donovan, nominated by the Consumer’s Association of Ireland (CAI). Tom Boland, nominated by the Higher Education Authority (HEA) – An tÚdarás um Ard-Oideachas. Paul Mc Garry SC, nominated by the Honourable Society of King’s Inns. Eilis Barry, nominated by the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission (IHREC). Emily Sherlock, nominated by the Legal Aid Board (LAB). Michele O’Boyle SC, nominated by the Law Society of Ireland. Simon Murphy, nominated by the Law Society of Ireland.
Ms. Barry and Mr. Murphy are being re-appointed while all other appointments are first time appointments. Under section 10 of the Legal Services Regulation Act 2015, appointments to the Authority will be for a term of 4 years, after which they will be eligible for re-appointment for an additional 4 years, provided that they do not hold office for more than eight years in all.
Thurles Municipal District Officials; Councillors together with other unsuspecting drivers are being asked to take great care when travelling on Upper Kickham Street, (N75), in Thurles, Co. Tipperary tomorrow. Due to recent frosts, a section of the road surface, which had been dug up, has now totally disintegrated leaving huge craters directly opposite Aldi(on North side) and close to the entrance to Monakeeba housing estate(on South side).
State of road surface on Kickham Street, Thurles, Co. Tipperary.
Four living craters now currently exist on both sides of this traffic infested roadway, and have done so for the past two weeks. Despite being invisible to travelling motorists, these craters, as expected, have received absolutely no maintenance attention. But then again, it’s cold and Thurles Municipal District Officials don’t get out all that much in this type of weather.
The only reason I mention this tonight is because Thurles Councillors could be travelling into Thurles as expected tomorrow, to rubber stamp the planned Phase 2 upgrade for Liberty Square etc.
Thurles Town centre traders already having lost at least 40% to 60% of former footfall, under the Phase 1 upgrade, are expected to also be in attendance; to protest against these planned illogical and fallacious changes, same formulated by Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) and expected to be supported by aforementioned officials and some recently elected, unqualified councillors.
We will be looking at this matter more fully and in greater detail after tomorrows decisive meeting, which will no doubt be demanding immediate resignations.
The votes of Fianna Fáil Councillor Mr Michael Smith and Independent Councillor Mr Jim Ryan, were recounted this morning, starting at 11:00am.
Following the recount Councillor Ryan was found to be justified; being 3 votes ahead of Mr Smith, after a recount had been requested by Councillor Ryan, following Mr Michael Smith being earlier declared just 2 votes ahead of Ryan. There is an electoral provision to do this and the figures will now be amended to reflect Mr Ryans latest count placing him ahead of Mr Smith by just 3 votes. Mr Smith has now conceded, accepting this result.
This decision indicate that the original count has restarted where it was last evening, with Mr Michael Smith’s votes being distributed first in the next count.
Over 30,000 Citizenship decisions made in 2024, the most made in a single year since records began.
More than 6,000 people to be naturalised in Killarney this week.
Digitisation of services have resulted in significantly improved service.
Citizenship ceremonies were first introduced in 2011 in order to mark the occasion of the granting of citizenship in a dignified and solemn manner. Since Citizenship Ceremonies were first introduced, there has been a total of 197 Ceremonies (inclusive) with people from over 180 countries receiving their certificates of naturalisation. To date, over 191,000 people have received Irish citizenship since 2011; 108 of whom are resident in Co. Tipperary.
This year will see a record number of people take the final steps towards receiving their Irish citizenship, with over 30,000 decisions made in 2024. The numbers represent a significant increase on the 20,000 decisions made in 2023, and is nearly double the number of decisions made in 2022.
This Monday and Tuesday alone, over 6,000 new Irish citizens will be granted citizenship in seven ceremonies being held at the INEC Killarney. The Ceremonies will see applicants from 140 countries around the world, and living in 32 counties on the island of Ireland, being conferred as Irish citizens.
The Presiding Officers at the ceremonies over the next two days are retired Justice Mr Paddy McMahon, and retired President of the High Court, Ms Mary Irvine, latter who will confer the attendees with Irish Citizenship. Both will administer the Declaration of Fidelity to the Irish Nation and Loyalty to the State. The new Irish citizens will undertake to faithfully observe the laws of the State and to respect its democratic values.
Significant changes have been introduced in the Citizenship Divisionof the Department of Justice to speed up the application process for applicants, including the introduction of an online digital application, online payments, and eVetting. Going forward, it is envisaged that the majority of applications based on residency will receive a decision within 12 months.
It is important to note that no two applications are the same, and some take longer than others to process. Applicants are required to have 5 years reckonable residence in the State prior to making an application. Citizenship Division has held 24 citizenship ceremonies this year, an increase from the 15 ceremonies held last year, and the 6 that were held in 2022.
More information on the application process is available at the following link shown HERE.
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