Advertisement

We need your help now

Support from readers like you keeps The Journal open.

You are visiting us because we have something you value. Independent, unbiased news that tells the truth. Advertising revenue goes some way to support our mission, but this year it has not been enough.

If you've seen value in our reporting, please contribute what you can, so we can continue to produce accurate and meaningful journalism. For everyone who needs it.

Shutterstock/villorejo

MEPs to vote on scrapping daylight saving time 'for health and safety reasons'

A new EU study said that health research associates DST with disruption to circadian rhythm.

SHOULD DAYLIGHT SAVING Time be abolished?

That’s the issue that’s going to be on the agenda when MEPs vote on such a proposal next month.

The move was welcomed by Seán Kelly MEP, who is leader of the Fine Gael delegation in the European Parliament.

He said that the parliament had agreed to table an EU resolution calling for an end to the bi-annual time change or Daylight Saving Time (DST), for health and safety reasons.

Last month, the European Parliament’s Research Service published its study on EU summer-time arrangements, which Kelly said confirmed that the benefits of DST are “marginal” because what you save on light you spend on heating, whereas negative consequences for health are “more severe“ than previously thought.

The report - which can be read here – says that:

  • Summer time benefits the internal market (notably the transport sector) and outdoor leisure activities, and it also generates marginal savings in energy consumption
  • The impact on other economic sectors remains largely inconclusive
  • Health research associates DST with disruption to the human biorhythm (‘circadian rhythm’).

“I have consistently called for an end to the time change over serious health and safety concerns for citizens and am fully supporting a European Parliament motion to end the practice. Various studies show that going against the natural rhythm has a detrimental impact on sleep and health,” said Kelly.

He continued:

Morning light or dawn is particularly important in enabling the human circadian system to adjust internal time to the external dawn/dusk cycle and seriously impacts overall health and mental well-being. When we disrupt our natural rhythms, many people lose sleep leading to weakened immunity, increased anxiety and depression in some cases. It also means people are driving tired or less alert and are less able to concentrate leading to more accidents and a lower quality work performance.

The Ireland South MEP said DST especially impacts on light sleepers or those who have difficulty sleeping.

“It is nonsensical to lose an hour of daylight every spring, meaning commuters are driving in the dark,” he said. “It goes against the natural rhythms and takes many people a number of weeks to adjust.”

He described it as “an unnecessary, archaic practice” and said the resolution is needed to keep the issue on the agenda. An EU-wide agreement would be needed in order to implement the change.

In a recent poll on TheJournal.ie, 77% of readers said DST should be scrapped, and 22% said it shouldn’t.

Read: Calls for daylight saving time to be scrapped as clocks set to be turned back this weekend> 

Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone...
A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation.

Close
91 Comments
This is YOUR comments community. Stay civil, stay constructive, stay on topic. Please familiarise yourself with our comments policy here before taking part.
Leave a Comment
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute David Walsh
    Favourite David Walsh
    Report
    Oct 30th 2012, 6:21 PM

    Can infect the brain but the body still works………is that not Facebook !!!

    130
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Ian Martin
    Favourite Ian Martin
    Report
    Oct 30th 2012, 6:17 PM

    We have these in Ireland already they’re called the government, only they feed on other peoples money!!!

    64
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Les Rock
    Favourite Les Rock
    Report
    Oct 30th 2012, 6:34 PM

    I detest the government too, but for the love of Jaysis that was poor.

    147
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Ian Martin
    Favourite Ian Martin
    Report
    Oct 30th 2012, 7:04 PM

    @les rock: but true

    14
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Joseph Bosh
    Favourite Joseph Bosh
    Report
    Oct 30th 2012, 6:14 PM

    So basically some mad scientist could actually create the RAGE virus from 28 days later or the t-virus in resident evil…

    …on the plus side the wouldn’t have to just be hit in the brain. Anywhere will do.

    50
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Aidan Finn
    Favourite Aidan Finn
    Report
    Oct 30th 2012, 6:31 PM

    The government should send sports accessories and garden utensils for the coming zombie apocalypse. Make sure you store them with your iodine pill and government cheese.

    49
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Luca Costa
    Favourite Luca Costa
    Report
    Oct 30th 2012, 6:38 PM

    Better get out my copy of Don’t Stop Me Now and my snooker cues. Bring it on!!!

    41
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Yer auld one
    Favourite Yer auld one
    Report
    Oct 30th 2012, 6:55 PM

    Have you seen the specimens dragging themselves around the Liffey boardwalk! The Walking Dead don’t have a patch these dudes. Since they closed the section of boardwalk along Eden Quay it’s let them wander!!!!

    37
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Rory Mcloughlin
    Favourite Rory Mcloughlin
    Report
    Oct 30th 2012, 6:37 PM

    Take a walk around Kilkenny on a Saturday night after 1am and you can see one quite clearly ;-)

    36
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute cornflaker
    Favourite cornflaker
    Report
    Oct 30th 2012, 7:49 PM

    i remember walking around a lingerie shop a few years back in stephens green shopping centre near valentines day looking for a gift for the mrs. a lot of lads were doing the same thing. as i was browsing i saw the cashier say to her colleague with a look of digust “look at them, walking around with their mouths open like a bunch of f*%kin zombies…animals” jaysus.

    33
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Elbbit
    Favourite Elbbit
    Report
    Oct 30th 2012, 9:31 PM

    for those outside the capital…We have thousands of these zombies wandering the street. it amazing how they defy gravity and stay on there feet..while stringing a few words together takes them minutes….aaaaahhhhh heeeeerrrreeee buuuuud,leeeend uuuuuuussssss aaaaa feeeeewwww eeeeeeuuuurrrrrooooooooo

    30
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Stewie Griffin
    Favourite Stewie Griffin
    Report
    Oct 30th 2012, 6:45 PM

    I have my axe and chainsaw ready. Bring it on you undead motherf***ers

    29
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Daniel R
    Favourite Daniel R
    Report
    Oct 30th 2012, 6:35 PM

    There’s a zombie apocalypse at every bus stop/school/ workplace every Monday morn. B grand sure.

    26
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Paul Corrigan
    Favourite Paul Corrigan
    Report
    Oct 30th 2012, 8:44 PM

    Half the passengers on red line LUAS have had this for years

    21
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Brian Fitzpatrick
    Favourite Brian Fitzpatrick
    Report
    Oct 30th 2012, 6:47 PM

    Setup the cameras in the point village. Best location ever for a zombie movie!

    14
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute James Patrick Smith
    Favourite James Patrick Smith
    Report
    Oct 31st 2012, 9:26 AM

    I see a lot of Zombies going around in pajamas lately actually I think the Zombies would have more brain power

    4
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Tommy Omalley
    Favourite Tommy Omalley
    Report
    Nov 2nd 2012, 1:16 PM

    Ive got an idea for when the zombies attack! We get the car drive to the Winchester get a cup of tea and wait for it to all just blow over

    2
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute George L Rockwell
    Favourite George L Rockwell
    Report
    Oct 31st 2012, 1:27 PM

    It’s not a question of IF but a question of WHEN

    2
Submit a report
Please help us understand how this comment violates our community guidelines.
Thank you for the feedback
Your feedback has been sent to our team for review.

Leave a commentcancel

 
JournalTv
News in 60 seconds