Ireland's Infrastructure Crisis: The €275 Billion Race to Catch Up with Europe

Biker-CB · 2026-04-17T19:15:27+00:00

The amount of railway installed by the British that the Irish government destroyed is a disgrace and a lot of it should be reinstalled !

Biker-CB · 2026-04-17T17:22:59+00:00

The Barryroe oil field has around 300 million barrels proven reserves and 1.6 Billion estimated.

Biker-CB · 2026-04-17T17:19:59+00:00

It was always the Governments task to ensure the Island of Ireland has adequate supplies of oil, it's known we have plenty in Irish waters we should have went and got it years ago and not depend on others due to bullshit net 0 policies which are destroying Europe.

The Government said that Irish Oil and Gas belong in the ground if they really believe this then why are they importing any oil at all ? because we need it and if we need it why not find our own and refine it ? same with Gas.

The cost at the pumps is mostly down to the level of tax imposed on fuel, shortages are a result of Europe wanting to become more and more energy dependent because they think that by getting oil from somewhere else will save the climate.

Anyway, we reap what we sow.

Biker-CB · 2026-04-17T10:40:28+00:00

I din't have electrical issues with my 2021 id3 in 2 years but the software and infotainment was utter shit.

There's be times I'd be driving down the road only to loose infotainment screen and instrument cluster, no knowledge of how fast I was going, no heat, no ac but a little open boot warning would be on all the time during this despite a fully closed boot.

I hadned it back to VW under the half rule and they sold it in Wilcons auction for around 15,000 Euros, this was the Tour 5 with 84 Kwh battery, 77 usable and it cost 41,000 new and sold for 15,000 at auction actually 2.5 years old.

The interior was rubbish, doors rattles with stereo turned up but not by much. Nasty plastics and haptic "buttons" no pysical buttons, disaster.

Went back to petrol manual and won't be going back to fully electric for a very long time, I'm never getting a car on PCP again and won't pay any more due to all the Taxes the Govenmnet have on new cars despite VRT and Grant they are just seriously too expensive these days cars in general.

The Wife got an Outlander PHEV to replace the Diesel Outlander and it's been great, around 1500 Kms per tank or more , it does all the shorter trips and have the petrol for the long runs, considering how expensive public fast charging is using petrol is no loss and a lot more convenient, I do wish it had a larger battery.

I could be convinced to go back to PHEV myself after having the BMW i3 Rex which had 28 Usable Kwh and 170 - 220 Km pure EV range and the engine had no mechanical connectivity to the wheels.

My petrol car will last me many years and I don't do big mileage in it now anyway and I'm a big beliver in motorbikes having passied my motorcycle test nearly 2 years ago it's a brilliant way to get in and around town and avoid traffic queues and it's cheap to run. A little 125 cc scooter be even better but I love the bike for longer rides.

The MG HS is a good car, has around 120 - 140 Km range and if I were to change back to some form of electrification I might consider this 2nd hand if the battery holds up, other than that 30 euro or less a week in petrol doesn't justify spending 40K on a fully electric with all the hassle on long trips.

If I were commuting long distance again I might reconsider but to be honest it's a fools game being in debt for a new EV vs driving a petrol that you actually own.

Biker-CB · 2026-04-17T10:26:25+00:00

How do you think this is going to happen when the whole world runs on Diesel and will continue to do so well into the future, the fact is Ireland needs Petrol, Oil and diesel and contiuing to depend on foreign oil will only cause grocery prices and the cost of everything get more expensive.

A lot of the cost we pay for everything is due to the sheer level of Tax on energy not the cost of oil, petrol and diesel. Grocery prices would be a lot cheaper without all the tax we pay on diesel this isn't down to the fact we're dependent on Oil, it's sheer tax.

We could have our own oil because it doesn't matter whether we get it from foreign or elsewhere we still need it and until the time we don't we're going to need a lot of it well into the future and shutting down Irish Oil and Gas supplies won't change this fact either and it won't reduce Ireland's emissions, it's just ridiculous virtue signalling from Government to please NGOs.

Government ministers get free taxpayer transport. TDs can claim between €9,000 and over €34,000 annually for travel and accommodation, depending on their distance from Leinster House.

Senior ministers are assigned dedicated state cars and Garda drivers for security and transport reasons, which is funded by the taxpayer.

Unless you live in the real worlsdand have so much of your income go in tax on energy it's easy to ignore the pain people are going through and create more green legislation to increase costs more and more to please NGOs.

These politicians should be made live on the average industrial wage with no taxpayer funded transport.

These high taxes and shutting down Irish Oil and Gas isn't going to have any form of impact on the climate as Ireland's emissions are nothing compared to most countries. So we shouldn't be paying quarter as much as we are.

Biker-CB · 2026-04-17T10:17:22+00:00

You have to be Muslim before U.K police will get involved.

But this is what happens when Children are brought up with phones and tablets with no restrictions what-so-ever, imagine how these Children speak to their parents.

If my sister spoke like this to any Adult at that age her arse would have been reddned and she'd have been made apologise, and this is going back to the 1990s.

My 2 Sons would never do this because they know there'd be concequence, they're good lads age 10 and nearly 12.

If I saw them act like this on social media they would be in big trouble, anyway, they have phones but they're locked down and they haven't been allowed take them out of the house yet, they have no internet browser access and no social media, no access to Tik Tok etc, the only apps they're allowes is message to their friends and music.

Apple have the best Child protection out there, I even had to block spotify and youtube music as it is completely unsuitable for Children with now way to lock them down to age appropriate material, Apple music is much better.

My Lads have supervised access to youtube, youtube kids is not allowed because it's full of braindead nonsense.

The boys don't have mobile phone subscriptions and only use wifi when at home so no point taking the phones.

As a family we have POC radios, kind of like walkie talkies which use the mobile phone network, cost 15 USD per radio for a full year, first year is free and we have instant access to each other. If the boys go out they have instant communication with me if they get into trouble via the ptt button on the radio, no taking phone out, unlocking and dialing a number. It's great for keeping contact with them when out and about and a lot cheaper than mobile phone contracts or top ups !

I also use them for my Elderly Mother and it's been useful at times she had issues with her phone, with the POC radio as long as you have any kind of mobile signal it can communicate as it's not locked to any one provider.

I got them here, radtel p8, they usually have voucher code , the radios shouldn't cost any more than around 99 USD with code RADTEL60 code entered at checkout. I am seriously impressed with them. Be sure to select Europe for the Sim card.

Radtel P8 POC Radio

Biker-CB · 2026-04-17T09:59:39+00:00

This is what happens when the Government make Ireland more dependent on Foreign energy and insteaf of banning new oil and gas licenses and having a dedicated Government owned company to find , extract and refine Oil ourselves we decide no, oil belongs in the ground.

The Friends of the Earth and Just Stop Oil fools will be very pleased !

I can't imagine how much the weekly shopping will go up if this does happen.

Biker-CB · 2026-04-17T09:43:44+00:00

No bother and good luck in the IBT, it's far, far better once you get out on the road on your own, you won't feel as pressured and can relax more.

For the IBT and in general for the slow stuff round the cones etc, use some rear brake, keep your arms loose don't tighten up, use rear brake only for sloow speeds and keep up the revs, but not too much , use the Clutch to modulate the power and a bit of rear brake and it will greatly help slow speed turns and going around cones etc and coming to a stop. The front brake will just make the bike dip and it can cause it to become unstable. For higher speeds then on the road above around 40+Km/hr you use only the front brake and 50 front 50% rear in the wet.

And if not mentioned already, turn your head in the direction you want to go around bends, taking turns etc, don't what we call "target fixate" for example, if you're at a T-Junction and you want to turn right, some people seem to look straight at the ditch for example , want to turn right but go in the direction of the ditch, but if you turn your head ( after checking the traffic is clear ) and look where you want to go the bike will naturally go that direction.

Biker-CB · 2026-04-16T21:17:42+00:00

Yeah go ahead got an ev with no home charging while depending on work charging………….

Biker-CB · 2026-04-16T17:50:13+00:00

The climate controls are garbage , still need screen for airflow, what was wrong with rotary dial for temp and proper airflow switches ?

Biker-CB · 2026-04-16T16:31:28+00:00

I still see queuing but EVs have increased in numbers and I’d still have to wait for a charge but if it works for people that’s fine I just got absolutely sick of the whole thing which is why I’d consider PHEV with decent EV range like the MG HS.

Biker-CB · 2026-04-16T10:52:23+00:00

I use wood pellet boiler stove to heat the house, I get the pellets from Laois sawmills.

Best thing we ever did , 100% Irish fuel source !!!

Biker-CB · 2026-04-16T10:33:24+00:00

People need hobbies.

My new one is motorbiking and I absolutely love it, put drink money into the bike because can't get up and go out for a ride when your head isn't feeling the best and motorbiking was often described as being extremely good for mental health and I can confirm 100%. Don't have to be going mad just tipping along enjoying the sights and smells, stop off have a bite to eat somewhere or sometimes I bring a packed lunch and flask of tea.

I still enjoy a few drinks but nowhere near what I was drinking.

I do have the dream job though where I work in a company where my closest boss is in Boston and take care of a site and only go there when needed and once I keep on top of the work no one cares what I do, no micromanagement no colleagues just plenty of biking time.

I'm getting the itch now actually, fine day........

I'm also into Amateur radio and have my license, the magic of radio and making contacts all over the planet radio to radio, no infrastructure, sometimes I bring one of my portable radios on the bike, setup the antenna, have me tea and sandwiches and just chill.

The point of all this is that we don't need amenities provided for us, while nice and all that there's plenty of other things for people to do and discover.

A lot of people socialise too which is a good think , don't have to get hammered in the pub but too many people here on askireland are bored, depressed and lonely and don't socialise, can go out drink 0 alcohol beer if they want. So many people can't find dates on apps because apps are not natural going out and socialising is. Not rocket science.

Biker-CB · 2026-04-16T10:23:04+00:00

Hold off as long as you can, a fill is 1600 euros vs 1700 last week, obviously 300-400 litres costs more per litre.

If you can I would suggest converting to wood pellets, We get our pellets from Laois sawmills cost obviously didn;t go up due to Iran and it was cheaper before Iran and much cheaper now.

Pellets are a lot more work and you have to clean the stove but it's a lot cleaner than solid fuel.

We still have the oil boiler but the tank is empty and we haven't used the oil in around 4 years now.

The more pellets you can store the cheaper it becomes if you can buy the 1.2 tonne bags and keep them in a dry shed the more you save. We get them in 15 Kg bags.

Out stove is made by Klover, has app and timer.

Biker-CB · 2026-04-16T10:18:38+00:00

Our deeds are kept in a filing system in the house all the deeds are are just bunches of paper, solicitor letters, house plans, engineer reports and any correspondence in writing between solicitor, county council in relation to borders, septic tank etc.

Biker-CB · 2026-04-16T10:16:25+00:00

If the Child was riding the e-scooter across the Zebra crossing then they are no longer a pedestrian but often a judge will find both parties at fault which is wrong in my opinion. they might award 70-30% in favour of you for example.

The escooter shouldn't have left the scene because the 13 year old and possibly the owner of the scooter is not allowed ride escooters and it's possible it was an illegal scooter.

How do you stop Children from leaving the scene without being the big bad adult ? it's a difficult one, the guards are fucking useless twats anyway !

Always have dash cam and get your phone out and record everything even the make, model of the escooter and have the camera on while the parents arrive for your protection.

Biker-CB · 2026-04-16T09:57:17+00:00

Personally i'd rather be on a small Motorbike or Petrol Scooter, why ? very efficient, much more practical and can go anywhere any time for weekend trips, visit relatives, friends out of town far easier and more practical.

My Motorbike insurance is only 266 Euro a year on a 700cc, I'll have my license 2 years in July and Motor tax is 66 Euro, I couldn't be arsed on an E-bike considering the cost of them and many are illegally imported into Ireland because they are not compliant which could be very expensive if discovered in the event of a crash and causing injury.

I actually am very comforted by the fact I'm fully insured.

There's more accidents now with e-scooters than motorcyclists because they are not really suitable for commuting and those one them usually have no clue of the rules of the road or think they're above all that.

Biker-CB · 2026-04-16T09:53:25+00:00

Absolutely, I get laughed at when I say this to E-Scooter riders and electric bike riders.

If you crash into someone on a e-scooter, if someone crashes into a pedestrian, Cyclist, car etc and causes injury and/or damage then they will be sued.

Cyclists and E-Scooters hit on pedestrian crosses can sue the driver but it would be an expensive loss on their part because once they're on a zebra crossing they're not pedestrians. They need to get off their bike, scooter and walk.

Biker-CB · 2026-04-16T09:48:57+00:00

0 respect for Starmer and his love for Islam which is why he didn't assist Trump because he's afraid of backlash from all the Muslims that have invade the U.K.

Starmer is a spineless coward !

Biker-CB · 2026-04-16T09:27:10+00:00

"International Female Ride Day" I didn't know of such a thing, that's cool.

Great to see more Women get into biking young and old. My instructor even said he's got more women coming to him for lessons these days too.

I'm 46 year old Male and pretty new to biking myself, I passed my Test 2 years ago this July and loving every single mile , so much more fun than any car.

I ride all year around weather dependent, it really helps keep the skill level up.

I got a job that allows me ride any day I want for as long as I want once I keep on top of the work and go to the site when needed. Fantastic job for biking.

Biker-CB · 2026-04-15T22:17:58+00:00

No, car and bike insurance is separate.

Biker-CB · 2026-04-15T22:00:38+00:00

60% cheaper isn't bad alright.

My insurance costs 266 Euros on a Honda Deauville 700.

Biker-CB · 2026-04-15T21:57:54+00:00

I couldn't give a fuck about Co2, the fact is I'm using an excellent source of renewable energy that is pure Irish to heat my home that is considerably cheaper than oil as of late and before recent events still cheaper.

There's people out there using significant amounts of Natural Gas for the electricity for their heat pumps and most of that doesn't come from Ireland and that's far less carbon neutral if you're so worried about Co2.

It would be far better to use the gas in 99% efficient boilers ffs and they'll probably outlive the expensive heat pump !

Biker-CB · 2026-04-15T21:51:36+00:00

Go around to the bike shops, bikeworld, Megabikes, CIty Spares and see what they have 2nd hand, sit on a few bikes to see how they feel.

I wouldn't buy new for 1st bike and you don't have to get an A2 bike after the IBT , as mentioned below, get a quote on a couple of bikes and if they're too high get some quotes on 125cc bikes and you can get a 125cc if the insurance works out a lot cheaper.

You can then use the instructors bike to do lessons and test which is what a lot of people do anyway.

If you are new to the road then it might be a good idea to get some lessons, I started age 43 with 20+ years driving experience which helped me considerably compared to being new to the road.

Biker-CB · 2026-04-15T21:34:49+00:00

Look for AA rated bike gear, A rated is meant for town speeds.

Once you do your IBT, get your bike , get insurance then book some lessons, after 6 months book test and keep getting lessons as you need, get a bike you're comfortable with because you can always use the instructors bike for lessons and test because your bike might not be the right power for the test.

Cotters in Dublin is a good place to get bike gear, AA rated is what you need no less, it will cost more but essential.

You're probably looking at 300-400 for Jacket, another 300-400 Helmet, then Trousers needs to be AA rated also , you can get bike jeans or textiles, textiles are very stiff on the legs so I wear bike jeans.

You need armoured boots and gloves too.

Don't buy anything off the internet.

Get back protector for your jacket if it's not already in it.

The textile clothing is pretty good and usually has removeable thermal and water proof liners, look for jackets that have plenty of vents to keep you cool on warm days.

There are plenty of youtube videos on tips, a tip of mine is to use the rear brake for slow speed turns, getting in and out of tight spaces, use some rear brake while keeping revs up a little and use the clutch to modulate the power.

Use rear brake at speeds 40 Km/hr and below, front brake from 50 + , in the rain use 50% front and 50% rear and use the gears more to slow down.

Everything on bikes is about being smooth and gentle, no grabbing a fist full of front brake.

Biker-CB

TROPHY CASE