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LAWLESS CALLS FOR FAIRER PARKING REGULATION IN WATERWAYS

James Lawless TD has criticised the use of clamping in the Waterways Carpark in Sallins

James said, “In the past week alone I have been contacted by many commuters who have been unfairly clamped. These car parks have been used for commuters at Sallins train station for many years, including myself.”

” I understand the arrangement had worked well while providing convenience and capacity to the train station. Now however, the car park has been split by the two management companies with little to no additional signage informing commuters of where to park and pay following the new arrangements.” Continue reading “LAWLESS CALLS FOR FAIRER PARKING REGULATION IN WATERWAYS”

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O’ROURKE URGES OPENING UP CAR INSURANCE MARKET TO EU

Frank O Rourke TD has called on the Government to consider opening up the EU Car Insurance market for Irish drivers, following the unprecedented increase in car insurance premium in recent years

‘The most recent figures on motor insurance, show premiums have raised by almost 40% in the last year, as the underlying rate of inflation stands at 0.5%. In fact the main cause of this 0.5% inflation relates to the rising cost of insurance overall.’

‘It is not unusual for young people in their early 20s to be asked to pay anything between €6,000 and €12,000 a year for their car insurance. This premium level is not an option for many young people, many of whom require cars for their educational, work or family purposes, as I have established at my clinics in recent weeks.’

‘I know from liaising with my colleague Deputy Michael McGrath, that the claims which are being paid out have reduced in recent years, from claims paid out of €1.5 billion in 2011 to claims paid out of €1.01 billion in 2014. Insurance companies have also returned to profitability. This should have led to reduced premium costs not increased premiums.’

‘I raised this matter in the Dáil recently and called on the Government to re-establish the Motor Insurance Advisory Board (MIAB). Given the track record of the MIAB in the past, it seems to me to be an imperative action for this Government, if we are going to make progress on reducing the motor insurance costs.’

‘I also believe that we should look at opening up the insurance market to the EU, whereby, we could purchase our insurance in Germany or France and that it would cover our driving in Ireland. This would have the effect of increasing competition in the market and should reduce premiums from their current high levels.’

‘Rising cost of insurance reduces net income available for people to spend on other life’s essentials and is key driver to increasing the cost of doing business in Ireland. As I said in my Dáil contribution, there is little point in the modest reduction in the USC in the last budget being transferred to enhance the profit of the Insurance companies.‘ concluded Deputy O’Rourke, who is committed to raising the issue in the Dáil again in the next session.

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O’ROURKE SAYS IRISH MORTGAGE RATES HIGHER THAN EU

Mortgage Rates in Ireland remain dramatically out of line with rates charged elsewhere in Europe, according to Fianna Fáil’s Deputy Finance Spokesperson, Frank O’Rourke

Frank stated, “Recent Retail Interest Rate statistics published by the Central Bank show that mortgages rates are falling in Ireland. However, they are not falling at the same pace that deposit rates are falling”

“These statistics published by the Central Bank recently show that despite modest reductions in mortgage rates, Irish mortgage holders are continuing to pay dramatically more than consumers elsewhere in Europe.”

“For example, in Ireland, the interest rate on all new mortgages, fixed and variable, stood at 3.3% in June compared to a Euro area rate of 1.83%. This means that a borrower with a mortgage of €200,000 is paying €250 per month more than they would be paying in the average Euro area country. That is €250 a month, each and every month, which could be spent by families on other household necessities. There has yet to be a credible explanation for such a dramatic difference in the rates charges and it is depriving our economy of much needed money which could be spent more productively in our economy”

“In May 2016, a Fianna Fáil Bill designed to give the Central Bank powers to tackle excessive variable mortgage rates passed second stage in the Dáil. The progress of the Bill through the legislative process has been tortuous and painfully slow. Despite not opposing the Bill at second stage, it is abundantly clear the Government does not want the Bill to become law.”

“As I have said in the Dail on a number of occasions, we must focus on reducing the cost of living as well as reducing the burden of taxation. There is little point in reducing tax rates, if the banks are continuing to charge excessively high variable mortgage rates or insurance companies are continuing to increase their rates, taking back a multiple of any reduction in taxation.”

“However, key elements of our Bill on mortgage rates will proceed when the Dail returns next month which will be of help in relation to securing fairer mortgage rates in the Irish market,” concluded Deputy O’Rourke.

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LAWLESS WELCOMES SALLINS FOOTPATH IMPROVEMENTS

James Lawless TD has welcomed the progress on improving the footpaths through the town of Sallins

“In conjunction with Cllr. Carmel Kelly I am delighted confirm that our works have been carried out on footpath repairs in the village. The repairs works included the main footpath through the town. Next to be done is the section on way to primary school going past the Creche. The bins visible in picture were also put in this summer using some of Carmel’s discretionary funding. Most of Sallins village has now had pavement and/or road surface improvements carried out since 2014 between myself and then Carmel representing it on county council.”

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LAWLESS DRONE BILL GOES BEFORE THE DAIL

James Lawless TD’s bill – The Small Unmanned Aircraft (Drones) Bill 2017 – has been brought before the Dáil.

This legislation aims to regulate the use of Drones.

James said,”I was delighted to introduce my second Bill at first stage in the Dáil yesterday.I have met many organisations, hobbists and other stakeholders to ensure the Bill provides safety and best practices without taking away the enjoyment of Drone use.”

“There are multiple motivations behind this Bill. As Fianna Fáil’s spokesperson on technology, I try to stay on top of emerging trends in the industry and sector that may require support or a greater statutory framework. The value of the drones industry has seen exponential growth of late. It is estimated to grow to a worldwide figure of approximately $127 billion by 2020. Growth in Ireland is as significant as anywhere else in the world. Like any new technology, it offers great opportunities and poses great challenges. Drones are used in search-and-rescue operations, the transportation of medicines to remote areas, environmental surveying, thermal imaging, geological and agricultural surveying, photography and video. Their uses are as plentiful as one can imagine. As part of the automation of industry it is now possible to carry out jobs that were once time and labour-intensive with drones. Where once it might have taken several hundred men to survey a plot or quarry or to conduct a search and rescue operation those jobs can now be done by a drone with thermal imaging in a matter of hours, at a fraction of the cost and manpower.”

“In Ireland, Intel recently acquired Movidius, which manufactures hardware which has applications in drone cameras. Huge global companies are at play in this market. Within the National University of Ireland Maynooth, there is a drone technology incubation hub. There has been rapid growth in the commercial and hobbyist areas in Ireland, with multiple flight schools instructing people in the use of drones and drone piloting. There is an emerging industry among people who operate on behalf of State agencies, Departments and commercial enterprises. They are well qualified to conduct surveys. The hobbyist sector is also on the rise. In light of their increasing affordability, these devices now appear everywhere – from children’s Santa lists to Smyths Toys on every main street. They have become a very accessible albeit sophisticated toy.”

“All of this is to be welcomed. There is, however, also a need to survey the industry and the existing regulatory framework to ensure that any gaps are filled and that appropriate support and regulation are provided.”

“The Bill seeks to introduce a licensing regime. While there is already a licensing regime of sorts in place with the Irish Aviation Authority, or IAA, the Bill seeks to place matters on a statutory footing while balancing the needs of small hobbyist users with those of heavy duty commercial users. The Bill seeks to provide that the categorisation of users will be a matter for the IAA as the lead authority in this area. Licensing requirements could be as simple as educational information provided by way of a leaflet in the box when one buys a drone or as complex as a multi-week training programme at one of the flight schools around the country on a needs basis. Again, the IAA would be the lead authority to make these calls.”

“The issue of insurance arises as the possibility of collision with property or persons is always a live one. Criminality is also an issue as drones unfortunately lend themselves to criminal activities of surveillance and digital capture. Emerging data protection and privacy concerns also arise. As we are all aware from a debate in the House last week, the commencement date for the general data protection regulation is fast approaching. It is important that Ireland’s legislation is ahead of the curve in this regard. The intention behind the Bill is to strengthen the regulatory framework, placing relevant measures on a statutory footing and recognising the industry and its practices.”

“There are also measures in the Bill to support research and development in the sector and to identify certain areas which would be suitable for testing. It also seeks to attract investment by way of FDI or from existing companies and global giants. Ireland is unique in its landscape and climate. We have mountains, coasts, railway lines and power cables, all of which factors are used by drone manufacturers for testing. We have them all within single counties in many cases. The Bill is intended to support the industry and recreational users in granting access to local authority parks and other designated areas. It is both to support and to regulate, recognising that this is a growing sector which needs attention from the Government and the Oireachtas. I would welcome any proposals to amend and improve the Bill as it passes through the Houses. This is the first step on what I hope will be a journey through the different Stages and I am very open to comment and feedback as we go on.”

The Small Unmanned Aircraft (Drones) Bill 2017 can be examined here. 

You can also read the transcript of James’ speech introducing the Bill here. “