“I am absolutely certain that the current situation can’t continue.” Simon Harris talking about e-scooters. Meanwhile…

e-scooters are used by thousands of people to get around safely within the existing rules. Banning them instead of enforcing existing laws is a lazy response from the Taoiseach and will disproportionately affect people working low paid jobs and experiencing transport poverty.

Why do we keep electing people with terminal yank brain syndrome?

"What is really worrying about the CHI report is that ... people who have accidents on e-bikes are..." E-scooters. A fundamental cause of concern: The people making decisions in this government can't tell the difference between an e-bike and an e-scooter, or who is riding one legally or illegally.

Thanks Peter McCarthy and the Irish Independent for reporting new restrictions placed by Cork City Council on Richmond Hill. This is us doing the right thing, but without enforcement — which means automated cameras at junctions — motorists will still chance driving places they should not be.

Thanks Thomas Lawrance and Cork Beo for reporting my comments on Government plans to ban e-scooters. Instead of prosecuting retailers for selling e-scooters to children, Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael would rather punish young workers who are obeying the law.

Thanks Steven Fox and Cork Independent for reporting my comments on the loosening of one-off housing policy by Cork City Council (📹 in 🧵). Bungalow bliss was off its time. Today, we need to plan rural communities with the amenities and infrastructure everyone deserves. Not wash our hands of them.

Thanks Peter McCarthy and the Irish Independent for reporting my comments on plans to demolish the Old Cork Prison. Disappointment after recent excitement over housing proposals and no plans for what will follow. Only demolition and rumour from the Government for an already under-served community.

Disappointing news yesterday — ironically, a day after one of the most positive discussions on Blackpool's flood defences at Cork City Council. The consensus on Monday was to reflect on how contexts have changed since the scheme was designed. Unfortunately, too late to change the Government's mind.

Shots of fire-fighting aircraft refueling in the Seine to fight the Fontainebleau fire will be one of those iconic images of the European heatwave. We must scale up climate action. youtu.be/n64yPFjd2F0?...

Any time there's concern about anti-social behaviour in an area, the go-to for An Garda Síochána is to say close off walkways, etc. Never considered is the impact this has on sustainable transport or communities. (Naturally, if someone joyrides a car in a balaclava, that's no reason to ban cars.)

This is going to break the first time five people hit it at once — but here's a thing I made to fight ghost buses in Cork. Data is from the NTA, so you can actually see where your bus is instead of just hoping 🤞 it's on its way. Feedback welcome — particularly, if you find it useful.

It is mad that we have, somehow, allowed net zero - a policy common to all major parties under 5 years ago and supported by a majority of the public - to become a synoym for mad radicalism. It is doubly mad that we've allowed this to happen during the hottest summer on record.

Call me crazy: But has Micheál considered prison time for the directors of businesses that knowingly advertise and sell e-scooters for use by a child? Time to name and shame: Let's begin with Smyth's Toys.

Saw a clip of Micheál Martin responding to Holly Cairns today, where she raised a moral issue, and says "you don't have a monopoly on empathy", which is a line I've seen him use about 800 times now. Also it's nuts how the way he responds to women isn't discussed more.

Cigarettes: Controlled at points of import and retail; Firearms: Controlled at points of import and retail; Motor vehicles: Controlled at points of import and retail; Medicines: Controlled at points of could this be a clue...?

"I understand that the Minister is going to give me a logical answer ... but ..." This is where we are, folks. 🤦‍♂️

Ouch! 80% of Dublin’s electricity going to data centres? Tom Parlon, chair of the Irish Data Centres Supplier Alliance needs reminding that his members cannot ignore environmental and consumer concerns. europeancorrespondent.com/en/r/chat-ar...

Bollards installed at Brooklodge NS in Glanmire after contact by the school community. Unfortunately, motorists were overhanging the footpath narrowing it for school children. Thanks to the Glanmire area engineers for responding to my requests and getting it done quickly over Summer. 👍

Thanks Cormac Ó hEadhra and Liveline for having me on yesterday — for a sit down with a leprechaun. Two years ago, Cork City Council brought in street performer bye-laws to ensure the city's stage is shared fairly for artists of all kinds. Unfortunately, two leprechauns continue to refuse to share.

The Glen River Park was set on fire again. With a fire warning in place until Monday, I've asked Cork City Council and the gardaí if it is possible to patrol the park. If you see activity that might result in a fire, call the gardaí or fire service immediately.

Thanks Joe O'Shea/Thomas Lawrance and Cork Beo for reporting my comments on busking Cork's bye-laws — and Leprechauns in the city centre. Working with performers means the bye-laws encourage a lively space for arts in the city. However, it also requires all acts to work together on a shared stage.

funny how the government that wants civil servants to take more risks is not prepared to take risks on sanctioning Aughinish Alumina or passing the Occupied Territories Bill

The surreal news of Nigel Farage's desperate stunt to avoid scrutiny for his financial deals backfiring and now having to fight an election campaign against Count Binface is what @jenmercieca.bsky.social would say is a way to weirdify fascism. It destroys the myth of their omnipotence.

The extreme heatwaves we've experienced this year have already caused thousands of excess deaths in Europe. Where is the mourning? Where is the crisis meeting? The climate crisis isn’t abstract. It is not a problem for the future. It is here and now. - Greens/EFA MEP @lenaats.bsky.social

The CSO has released data on metered electricity consumption for 2025. The extraordinary headline figures: - Electricity consumption from data centres grew by nearly 10% last year, and now accounts for 23% of Ireland's electricity demand.

The only hope we have of truly reducing our emissions in Ireland is to fundamentally change our transport and agriculture systems.

SF not wanting to ban any bloodsports cause they say they'll be driven underground surely means that nothing should be banned?

It's worth stressing that the *magnitude* by which some of these records are being broken is nothing short of astonishing

Has FIFA told us what the final score in Monday’s USA v Belgium game is going to be yet?

Excellent article by Sarah Moss — even if I suspect the transcription is sanitised for publication. An excellent explanation too of the usefulness of a helmet ("...this kind of low-speed, low-impact event...") and the uselessness of high-viz ("...nothing I can do about drivers who don’t look.")

It’s easier for many to either pretend that climate action isn’t needed, or even effective. But the truth is it does make a difference.

This is so simple to understand.

Once, the Government of #Ireland welcomed Ukrainians fleeing war. Now, in order to pander to the Far Right anti-immigration mob, our Fianna Fáil/Fine Gael Government makes Ukrainian refugees homeless. #SpeirGorm

The people who have tried through hook and crook to transform this country into a real multi-racial democracy are worth uplifting.

Fine Gael have been in government for 15 years straight. Fianna Fáil have been in government for 62 out of the last 100 years. But it's the Green Party's fault Ireland is an infrastructure and planning basket case? Delusional and zero accountability.

"'gold-plated' environmental laws"

Evidence-free zone

The difference between a gimmick and a policy is whether you can make the thing make sense for everyone to participate.

The idea that we have 'gold- plated' environmental law in Ireland is gaslighting on an industrial scale. Great to get the opportunity to debunk that narrative on Drivetime. www.rte.ie/radio/radio1...

guy who rounds up people when they check in at the immigration office so he can deport them for his own political gain: how dare you compare me to Trump

Motorist shouted out their drivers side window at me as I passed. "Why don't you queue like everyone else?" ...um because I didn't bring two armchairs, a sofa, and a tonne of metal with me. Oh, and lol. #TwoWheelsGood #ClergyWhoCycle

Celebration at City Hall to mark 35 years since Dan Boyle’s first election to Cork City Council 🥳 Dan made history in 1991 as Cork’s first Green Party councillor. He has since served the people of Cork as a city councillor, TD, Senator & most recently, as Cork’s first Green Lord Mayor in June 2024.

"Neither my credit card, which I use to pay, works, nor can I make transfers; my health insurance has been canceled, and I can't book hotels. I feel like Pablo Escobar. All because I said, 'In Gaza, Israel is committing genocide.'" Francesca Albanese UN Special Rapporteur (Palestine)”

Thanks Amy Campbell and the Echo for reporting my comments on the spend on Christmas trees. Every year, 60 trees are installed in communities like Ballyvolane, St Luke's and Mayfield. Each one costs €1,200. The populist thing is to make hay on this. My take: Communities are worth investing in.

Thanks Eoin Shortiss and Cork Bro for reporting my comments on public transport services. Massives strives from the Green Party in government (reduced fares, new routes, future planning) ground to a halt under this one. New stops literally gathering moss across the city. Commuters left standing.

Tonight, there was a suspected arson attack on the mosque in the city centre. This is by far not the first incident of this kind to happen here. Ireland has an increasing problem with people of colour existing. Simple as. www.independent.ie/irish-news/d...