Brussels: Countries across the European Union, including Ireland, are set to move clocks forward by one hour on Sunday, March 29, marking the start of daylight saving time. The change will take place at 1:00 am, in line with EU-wide regulations.
Under current rules, all member states adjust their clocks simultaneously—moving forward in March and back again on the last Sunday of October to return to standard (winter) time.
Despite long-standing discussions on abolishing seasonal time changes, no progress has been made in implementing reforms. In 2019, the European Parliament voted in favour of ending the practice, but the European Commission has confirmed that no new legislative proposal is currently under consideration.
Concerns remain, particularly in Ireland, about potential time differences with the United Kingdom following Brexit, which could result in two time zones on the island if policies diverge.
Origins of Daylight Saving Time
Daylight saving time was introduced to better utilise natural daylight as the Earth orbits the Sun—providing longer evenings in summer and brighter mornings in winter.
The concept was first proposed by George Hudson, who suggested extending daylight hours for leisure activities. It was later promoted in Britain by William Willett, with support from Winston Churchill, though it initially failed to gain government backing.
The idea gained traction during World War I, when countries sought to conserve fuel by reducing reliance on artificial lighting. Germany became the first to adopt the system in 1916, followed by other nations including United States and Russia.
Although some countries abandoned the practice after the war, it continued in Ireland, parts of Europe, Canada, and the United States.
Uncertain Future for Time Changes
Efforts to end the biannual clock change gained momentum in 2019, when the European Parliament backed a proposal to abolish it from 2021, based on a large-scale public consultation. However, implementation requires agreement among member states on whether to adopt permanent summer or winter time—a consensus that has yet to be reached.
The plan was further delayed by the COVID-19 pandemic, and EU institutions have since made little progress on the issue.
Meanwhile, legislative efforts elsewhere have also stalled. Although the United States Senate passed a bill supporting permanent daylight saving time, it has not yet resulted in a final decision.
Irish Samachar English News