- The Irish Independent reports that motorists have until midnight to fill up before petrol and diesel prices increase. From Thursday (tomorrow), 4c per litre will be added to the price of petrol while 3c per litre will be added to the price of diesel. It is the second such increase this year after a similar bump in prices in March. https://www.independent.ie/irish-news/motorists-have-until-midnight-to-fill-up-before-petrol-and-diesel-prices-rise/a1262170532.html
- The Longford Leader reports on continued cries from local TD’s for the Government to postpone the fuel excise increase, as Sinn Féin spokesperson on Agriculture and Rural Development, Martin Kenny, has urged the Government to scrap these plans. Deputy Kenny said: “Hard-pressed workers and families are due to face another fuel price hike. This increase is being imposed on them by the government. Sinn Féin are clear that it must not go ahead”. https://www.longfordleader.ie/news/newsletter-longfordlive/1567629/call-to-scrap-plans-to-hike-fuel-prices.html
- According to The Irish Times, new electric vehicle motor designs could stretch range and improve performance, as DeepDrive’s new in-wheel motors have begun to impress some of the world’s biggest car manufacturers. https://www.irishtimes.com/motors/2024/07/31/new-ev-motor-design-could-stretch-range-and-improve-performance/
- The Business Post has published an article with Alex O’Cinneide, founder and manager of Gore Street Energy fund, who said it was critical that the Government make a decision about the prioritisation of grid connections and funding of EirGrid. O’Cinneide states that while energy storage is a crucial to the success of the transition to clean energy, “Ireland is struggling with electricity supply and connections to the grid”. https://www.businesspost.ie/news/irelands-largest-energy-storage-firm-time-for-government-to-make-up-its-mind-on-grid-connections/
- According to The Irish Times, a legal challenge by the operator of the Corrib gasfield off the west coast over the energy sector windfall gains tax is to be referred to the Court of Justice of the EU. Michael Cush SC, for Vermilion, said the reference would seek the European court’s guidance on the interpretation of EU law in relation to emergency intervention to address high energy prices. https://www.irishtimes.com/business/2024/07/30/corrb-gas-operators-challenge-to-windfall-energy-tax-referred-to-eu-court/
- Reported by The Telegraph, Reform leader Nigel Farage has said he will not vote for Labour’s plan to scrap winter fuel payments for 10 million pensioners in the UK, and that the “cynical” decision to restrict the allowance to people already claiming means-tested benefits suggested Labour “do not care about pensioners”. https://www.telegraph.co.uk/politics/2024/07/31/nigel-farage-wont-vote-scrap-winter-fuel-payments-pensioner/
