The Official Website
James Lawless spoke today in the Dáil about the need for an increased Gardaí presence in rural communities.
<iframe width=”560″ height=”315″ src=”https://www.youtube.com/embed/zOOl9Tc8Bvo” frameborder=”0″ allow=”autoplay; encrypted-media” allowfullscreen></iframe>
James Lawless, Fianna Fáil Spokesperson on Technology has brought forward new legislation aimed at safeguarding our national and cultural heritage in the digital age.
‘The Copyright and Other Intellectual Property Law Amendment Bill’ aims to introduce a new provision to capture and archive the content contained on the .ie web domain. The amendment requires the Government to report back within 12 months on the feasibility of a digital lead deposit scheme to serve as a web archive.
James commented, “Many other countries already have legislation in place aimed at capturing the content on their country’s web domain. 20 of the 28 member states of the European Union have digital deposit schemes in place. Unfortunately Ireland is falling far behind our counterparts when it comes to protecting our digital heritage. The Bill I have brought forward aims to address this.”
“The impact of the Internet will be as significant on the course of history as the invention of the printing press. Societies have long sought to protect and archive printed works so that they can be enjoyed and studied by future generations. For centuries, archives, libraries and museums have safeguarded our national and cultural heritage. It’s important that they are empowered to continue with this tradition in the digital age.”
“The Government needs to recognise the importance of our digital heritage and take steps to extend legal deposit to online digital formats. Despite popular opinion, content on the internet does not stay online forever. It is generally accepted that the average life of a web-page is less than 100 days. It’s important that we setup structures now to capture our digital heritage for future generations to study and enjoy.”
The Government’s policy on third level education is failing after the latest global university rankings show that no Irish university is listed in the top 100 worldwide accord to Fianna Fáil Technology spokesperson James Lawless TD.
“This latest news is worrying but comes as little surprise considering the lack of investment by Fine Gael in third level education over the last seven years. There is clearly a funding and leadership crisis in our third level sector that the Government has failed to get to grips with.”
“The latest information show that almost all of our third level institutions have slid down the global rankings list. The Government claims time and time again that they want to build a smart economy. However it’s approach to dealing with the third level sector as at odds with this commitment considering higher education is the foundation of a smart economy.
The downgrading in the university rankings follows Ireland’s position in the international league tables for research and development which is also slipping. Ireland has not come anywhere near meeting its own target of 2.5% for research and development spending.”
“The Government has also failed to adequately increase funding for the Program for Research in Third Level Institutions (PRTLI) fund. €14m was allocated in 2017, at a time when the economy is supposedly recovering, but in 2010 €359m was allocated to the fund. How can we expect to remain competitive in the research and development sector if the Government continues to underfund vital research programs?”
“The Irish Research Council and Humanities budgets have been repeatedly slashed. Ultimately there is no dedicated Minister to account for these decisions or lead the sector as the Department of Education and Department of Business, Enterprise and Innovation all influence policy with no real cohesion.”
Research funding is about half the EU average and the Government has given no indication that they plan to do anything about any of this. The slide down the rankings looks set to continue given the Government inaction on issues facing the third level sector.”
James Lawless TD spoke in the Dail today on the need for a permanent Electoral Commission.
<iframe width=”560″ height=”315″ src=”https://www.youtube.com/embed/OB2iCsdxYM8″ frameborder=”0″ allow=”autoplay; encrypted-media” allowfullscreen></iframe>
James Lawless TD has confirmed that Dunnes Stores will indeed be open and fully operational by this coming Christmas in Naas.
James commented, “Excellent news for Naas Main Street as I have had it confirmed that Dunnes Stores is on course for opening this Christmas 2018. The “To Let” signs revealed on the site in recent days are erroneous and will be taken down overnight. The council have given full planning permission for a supermarket and street cafe and the plan is to have it open by Christmas.”