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LAWLESS INTRODUCES SOCIAL MEDIA TRANSPARENCY BILL TO THE DAIL

James Lawless TD today introduced legislation to allow greater scrutiny of who is paying for advertising on Social Media Platforms

James said, “We are all aware of the substantial and increasing role of social media and online fora on our public discourse and in the political sphere. Yet the many rules and safeguards which have emerged in the traditional spaces, everything from disclosure of donations to campaign fund caps, to a requirement that all printed materials must carry a label saying who printed and published them. None of these checks are present in the online space as the legislation has not kept pace with technology.”

“I introduced my social media transparency bill in the chamber today. The bill applies only to 1) paid political advertising 2) deliberate usage of multiple fake accounts for political purposes (bots).” Continue reading “LAWLESS INTRODUCES SOCIAL MEDIA TRANSPARENCY BILL TO THE DAIL”

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O’ROURKE WELCOMES ADDITIONAL 120 BUS SERVICE FOR CELBRIDGE

The new morning Bus Eireann 120  is providing an earlier service for Celbridge commuters. The new additional morning service on Route 120, commenced on Monday 27th of November last.

“Over the last number of months, I have made representations to Bus Eireann and the National Transport Authority to improve the service on the 120 Bus Eireann. This new service from Clane is providing an earlier morning departure from Celbridge into the City.”, stated Frank O’Rourke TD

“Previously, the first Bus Éireann service from Celbridge was 07:45hrs. This new service will operate via Celbridge at 07:20hrs. This new service also serves Straffan. It arrives into the city city at 8.10.”

“I welcome this news and I will campaign to have this service and other services, including Route 67, improved in the coming months. We need to increase the morning capacity of Route 67 outbound, as the number of passengers using the service between Celbridge and Maynooth increases. Route 67 provides a link for people living in Celbridge that are working or studying in Maynooth.” concluded Deputy O’Rourke.

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O’ROURKE PUSHES FOR FOOD HUB IN KILDARE

Frank O’Rourke TD has called on the Government to replicate the National Food Innovation Hub, recently established in Cork, in Kildare, given the significant number of food companies based in Kildare

“Kildare is home to many food based companies. It is essential that we sustain the growth in our food export business, given the challenges that Brexit present. UK, alone, accounts for more than 40% of Irish food exports and Kildare is home to many companies exporting to the UK.”

“I have campaigned for the area of North Kildare to be designated as a Food Hub. Kildare County Council’s CEO has also supported calls for the area to be designated as a Food Hub.”

“Recently, the National Food Innovation Hub was established to create a business innovation network at Moorepark involving dairy companies, Moorepark Technology Ltd (MTL), incubator companies and public-private partnership based R&D programmes with a research focus on food processing, quality and nutrition.” Continue reading “O’ROURKE PUSHES FOR FOOD HUB IN KILDARE”

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O’ROURKE – INCREASED CAPACITY NEEDED ON KILDARE LINE

Frank O’Rourke TD has again pressed Iarnrod Eireann to provide increased capacity on the Hazelhatch/Kildare Rail Line, for Celbridge and Naas rail commuters, as the numbers using the service grows.

“Since the Grand Canal Dock Line opened in 2016, the number of passengers, using the Kildare Line is increasing. The Kildare Line has now opened up commuters to the heart of the City Centre and more capacity is required.”

“I have raised the matter with Iarnrod Eireann and the National Transport Authority (NTA). Commuting to Dublin City Centre by car from North Kildare is now becoming almost impossible at peak times. Once we provide a regular and reliable public transport service, people will use it.”

“The reduction in the fares for Naas/Sallins users earlier this year, together with the opening up of the Kildare Line to the heart of the City Centre, is making the Kildare Line more attractive for commuters, and we must respond by providing more capacity.”,concluded Deputy O’Rourke.