Calls to remove October clock change in Ireland to ease winter during Covid-19 pandemic



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Clocks may not turn back at the end of the month, to facilitate the winter months during the pandemic.

Daylight saving time is scheduled to take effect on October 25 for the last time, as the practice will end next year under a new EU policy.

Social Democrats TD Roisin Shortall suggested to Taoiseach Micheal Martin that the government consider not turning back the clocks in October

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Social Democrats TD Roisin Shortall suggested to Taoiseach Micheal Martin that the government consider not turning back the clocks in OctoberCredit: AFP
Martin agreed to consider the proposal, Shortall said.

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Martin agreed to consider the proposal, Shortall said.Credit: PA: Press Association

But the Taoiseach is said to be considering removing it a year earlier, leaving the clocks unchanged in an attempt to improve people’s mental health.

The co-leader of the Social Democrats, Róisín Shortall, revealed that she asked Micheal Martin not to change the time this year due to the difficulties people face in the pandemic.

MARTIN’S REPORT

Speaking about the Newstalk breakfast, he said: “Yesterday I attended an informational meeting with the Taoiseach and health officials.

“The question arose that people are finding it really difficult now that it is entering winter.

“People are under a lot of stress and it was mentioned that things are going to get more difficult at the end of the month when the clocks turn back and we enter winter time.

“I just suggested to the Taoiseach that they consider not turning back the clocks because according to the new arrangements next year, we are not going to do it anyway.”

HELP FOR THE ELDERLY

She added: “It’s worth considering putting down our watches and not changing them, to have a little more daylight at night and I think that would help people, including older people living alone.

“The more light we have in the afternoon the better and it also makes it easier for people to go out to exercise and lift their spirits a bit.

Shortall said the Taoiseach agreed to consider the proposal.

She said: “I was a bit surprised, but said that he thought it sounded like a good idea, and that it is important that we review it.”

European summer time was first introduced during World War I, in an attempt to prevent people from wasting valuable daylight hours in the summer months.

But according to new EU plans, the last clock change is due in spring 2021, after it was voted to eliminate the practice in 2019.

The last clock change is due in spring 2021

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The last clock change is due in spring 2021Credit: Alamy



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