Food-delivery drones could require regulation, says Taoiseach
Paul McAuliffe, Fianna Fáil TD for Dublin Northwest, said drones were operational in terms of food deliveries, "but obviously the application could be extended".
"The issue was raised with me because it's a very unregulated area," he said, and there were issues with intrusion and safety.
There is a commitment in the Programme for Government for drones to come under the newly established Air Navigation Division section of the Irish Aviation Authority.
The issue of invasion of privacy, safety and noise nuisance from drone deliveries of fast food and even coffee, taking place in particular around west Dublin has been hotly debated on RTÉ Radio One's Liveline in recent days.
Residents in his own area are concerned, Mr McAuliffe told the Dáil.
"They have come to me, and it highlights the absence of regulation in this area. There are reasonable concerns around hours of work, the safety of the drones themselves, and how safe they are to fly above residential areas,' the TD said.
He said his constituency bordered Dublin Airport and there was the question of the impact of the airport and boundaries.
"It's an area where we shouldn't stifle innovation, but we should have regulations," he said.
The Taoiseach said he "would be definitely inclined to agree, because this is an area of development." "We are all endeavouring to try and comprehend drones flying left, right, centre, performing various functions," Micheál Martin added.
"It does raise the question of a regulatory framework to govern all of that, and a safety framework as well. I think that point is well made."
He suggested a Dáil committee could take the matter up, examining all the issues in greater detail.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
RTÉ News
2 hours ago
- RTÉ News
Govt outlines spending on housing and energy projects
Conor O' Connell, Director, Housing, Planning & Development with the Irish Home Builder's Association, discusses the updated version of the National Development Plan. Paul Cunningham, Political Correspondent, reports from the Dáil.
The Journal
2 hours ago
- The Journal
Houses, water, health and Metrolink: The key points from the National Development Plan
THE GOVERNMENT HAS announced funding proposals for the latest National Development Plan (NDP) this afternoon. The announcement, made at Government Buildings by Taoiseach Micheál Martin, Tánaiste Simon Harris and independent TD Seán Canney, was made at Government Buildings this afternoon. The NDP is the government's long-term plan for what large-scale infrastructure projects will be needed in Ireland over the next five to ten years. This iteration covers the period up to 2035 and sets out a total investment of €275.4 billion. Advertisement Every few years, the development plans are re-worked and reviewed by governments to ensure there are plans in place to meet things like housing needs to account for Ireland's growing population. The plans also cover demands on public transport and roads and whether people have adequate health services now and into the future. The plans are often ambitious and sometimes described as 'wish lists' by ministers. However, under the current government, ministers were instructed to submit projects that could be delivered in the short- to medium-term, rather than ideas that might never see the light of day (as has been the case in the past). There are also concerns that Ireland is playing catch-up with the rest of Europe when it comes to infrastructure, which is why a key focus in this NDP is housing , along with water infrastructure and Ireland's energy sector . So, what's in it? Housing The government plans to invest €35.955 billion in housing from 2026 to 2030. €28.275 billion of this has been assigned to housing itself and €7.680 billion to water infrastructure. Describing housing as the 'most critical priority' for the Government, the Taoiseach outlined a target of 300,000 new homes. The 300,000 includes privately developed homes and the figure reaffirms the target contained in the Programme for Government. Of those new homes the Government has set a target of delivering an annual average of 12,000 new build social housing units by 2030. Water (inc sewerage, water services) Including funding from outside today's NDP allocation, a total of €12 billion has been released and earmarked specifically for critical water infrastructure investment. Martin said that increased investment in water facilities is 'critical' to meeting demand for more infrastructure. 'This is critical to meet the heightened pace of demand for infrastructure due to increased economic growth and will support new house building industrial development and regional growth,' Martin said. The government's ability to meet its housing targets has been called into doubt by economists who have raised concerns about the state's ability to provide the infrastructure needed to serve housing developments, most notably water. Related Reads Roads, houses and water: Ireland's biggest ever infrastructure plan to be announced today Members of the media at today's annnouncement. Eamonn Farrell / © Eamonn Farrell / © / © Transport (roads, public transport) The government plans to invest €24.33 billion in transport between 2026 and 2030. This includes €2 billion from the Infrastructure, Climate and Nature Fund (ICNF) that is being allocated to 'low-carbon transportation' projects – in particular, the MetroLink underground line for Dublin . The MetroLink would see an underground rail line running between the north and south of Co Dublin, with stops in the suburbs, the city centre and at Dublin Airport. An underground rail line for Dublin was first proposed in a government plan in 2005 but was shelved for several years during the recession. It's now expected that construction may not begin until at least 2028 . Taoiseach Micheál Martin said the total investment will go to 'extending public transport, improving road networks and road safety, promoting electrification and supporting active travel and greenways'. Health The health service is to receive €9.25 in infrastructure investment under the new National Development plan from 2026 through to 2030. In 2021 just €5.7 bn was committed to spending on healthcare infrastructure for 2021-2025. The Government said that this 'substantially enhanced' provision will support the delivery of 'equitable' health services around the country. Minister for Health Jennifer Carroll MacNeill has sought funding for further work on the introduction of an electronic health record and other digitalisation projects, which was also a key focus for the last NDP. The proposed Metrolink project. Climate and energy Exchequer funding of €5.6 billion has been earmarked for infrastructure spending by the Department of Environment, Climate and Communications. The government is increasing its equity shareholdings in ESB and EirGrid to the value of €2 billion and €1.5 billion with a view to enabling the companies to 'significantly increase capital investment to expand electricity transmission and distribution network infrastructure'. 'Even though there are many countries internationally who are pushing to move in the opposite direction, we believe that the climate crisis is acute and addressing it must remain a priority,' the Taoiseach said. Martin said expanded investment in energy infrastructure and diversifying sources of energy are 'critical to our national security and to realising the enormous potential AI to future economic development'. Increased investment in energy infrastructure is also an important part of the government's plans to address the housing crisis, Martin said. Reporting by Christina Finn, Daragh Brophy, Lauren Boland, Eoghan Dalton, David MacRedmond and Eimer McAuley. 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. Learn More Support The Journal
Extra.ie
5 hours ago
- Extra.ie
Who is Deirdre Heenan? The professor tipped for FF Áras bid
The race for who will be Fianna Fáil's presidential candidate remains open but party members believe that Derry-based academic Deirdre Heenan is ticking a lot of the right boxes. It is reported that Deirdre is An Taoiseach and Fianna Fáil leader Micháel Martin's preferred choice of candidate due to her political likeness to Mary McAleese. has taken an in-depth look at the Ulster University professor and the background that has led her to potentially run for Áras an Uachtaráin. Deirdre Heenan with President Michael D Higgins in 2018. Pic: Sasko Lazarov/Photocall Ireland Born in Annaclone, Co Down, Deirdre was educated at Banbridge Academy and Ulster University. Now, she lives in Derry with her husband and three sons. Deirdre is a former Pro-Vice-Chancellor of Ulster University and a former Provost of its Coleraine and Magee campuses. She is a member of the Institute for Research in Social Sciences and has published widely on healthcare, education policy, social care and devolution. In 2001, Deirdre was the recipient of a Distinguished Teaching Award and this was followed by a prestigious National Teaching Fellowship by the Higher Education Academy in 2006. Professor Deirdre Heenan with former US president Bill Clinton At the University of Ulster in 2010. Pic: Paul Faith –Two years later, she secured an ESRC fellowship and spent nine months as policy adviser in the Office of the First Minister and Deputy First Minister. In 2011, she was appointed by the health minister to join a five strong panel of experts to oversee a radical review of Health and Social Care in Northern Ireland and the following year, she was appointed to the Council of State by President Michael D Higgins. Professor Deirdre Heehan posing for a selfie with former British Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn during a visit to Lifford Bridge in 2018. Pic: Liam McBurney – Pool/Getty Images Deirdre is described by Ulster University as a 'distinguished researcher, author and broadcaster'. Many Fianna Fáil sources told that they first came across the 58-year-old when she spoke at a party event in UCD to commemorate the 25th anniversary of the Good Friday Agreement. They said: 'I wasn't surprised to hear her name as she ticks a lot of Mary McAleese boxes. She was very impressive when she spoke at the Good Friday event and would fit the mould of what Micheál (Martin) would want. 'She was very impressive, and really challenging about the Good Friday Agreement. She spoke about how too many people sit back and applaud the GFA, when, in her view, it is not yet complete, and that we can't afford to rest on our laurels.'
