The UK has done lots of studies around time changes - MUCH more people die in accidents when it gets dark early.
It is better for public health and safety that it is a bit dark when you go to work, than that it is dark all evenings.
The UK is thinking of making some kind of change, but frankly I can't remember what it is - permanent summer time, or join the CET time zone..
Ireland could never do that though, but for the UK it would be possible.

Interesting information about the situation in Ukraine, gromozeka. I think it is a pity we always talk about Russia here and not enough about Ukraine.
Isn't there a Ukraine topic that you could start a thread about in the Politics section?
I am still blown away by Kiev. I had not expected it to be so big and grand...