Are the clocks going back in October this year or what?

Odhinn wrote: »

It'll be right again in a few months anyway.

“There will be no more seasonal clock changes as of the end of October 2019,” Commissioner Violeta Bulc told a news conference on Friday, acknowledging that this relied on others following the Commission’s “ambitious” schedule.

The proposal follows an EU survey drawing in a record 4.6 million responses and showing 84 percent of them opposed to seasonal clock changes.

The Commission also says seasonal time switches are outdated, implemented during World War One and Two and the 1970s oil crisis to save energy.

“Newer studies confirm that the energy savings are nowadays marginal,” Commission Vice-President Maros Sefcovic said. “We are clearly heading toward smart cities, smart buildings and smart solutions which will bring much more savings than changes of the clock.”

The Government has confirmed it will carry out a public consultation on whether the State should end the practice of changing the clocks in spring and autumn.

Minister for Justice Charlie Flanagan, whose department is responsible for informing the general public of winter and summertime changes, said last month he had an open mind on the debate on whether or not to continue daylight savings.

His comments followed the European Commission’s proposal in September to end the biannual clock changes across the EU as early as 2019 and its call for member states to decide whether they wanted to maintain permanent summer or winter time.

The last mandatory clock change is set to take place on Sunday, March 31st, 2019. Member states must notify the commission by April 2019 on whether they want to opt for permanent summer or winter time under the new structure.

Spanish Eyes wrote: »

Me, me! I responded to something or other a few months back and opted for permanent Summer Time. Never heard anything more though, that's why I wondered.