Seán Canney
Galway East · Independent · Ireland
“To obtain an operational authorisation, an operator must provide a comprehensive safety portfolio, which includes assessing and addressing both ground and air risks with appropriate mitigations. Manna Air Delivery holds such an authorisation from the IAA.”
“The national policy framework for UAS, agreed by the Government, was published by the Minister in August last year. The policy framework aims to guide high-level strategic planning and development in the drone sector in Ireland through support, growth and innovation, while ensuring safe and secure operations.”
“I thank the Deputy for raising this matter, which I am taking on behalf of the Minister, Deputy Darragh O'Brien. I note Manna Air Delivery's recent statement that it will for now cease deliveries by drone in Ireland.”
“It proposes 16 actions under three main areas: the use of airspace and planning; compliance and enforcement; and enterprise and innovation. Actions in the policy framework include the establishment of a national working group on UAS geographical zones to develop transparent processes and procedures for the designation of these zones; the…”
“This new route provides passengers travelling from Charleville to Cork with a morning service at 7.05 a.m. and a service from Cork to Charleville at 5.45 p.m., Monday to Friday. This new route is part of the Connecting Ireland rural mobility plan, a major public transport initiative.”
“I thank the Deputy. I reassure him again that the Department, its Minister, Deputy O’Brien, my fellow Minister of State, Deputy Buttimer, and I are fully committed to delivering a more sustainable, inclusive and accessible transport system for the benefit of current and future generations.”
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“I thank Senators for their consideration of this Bill and I look forward to the discussion. I commend the Bill to the House.”
“These include a new definition for the SOLAS Convention in the Merchant Shipping (Safety Convention) Act 1952 to take account of the amendments made to the convention in respect of the new Chapter XV on the carriage of industrial personnel. Amendments are also made to the Merchant Shipping Act 1992 to include definitions related to offshore service vessels and to allow for a new class of passenger boat to be assigned for the carriage of fewer than 12 industrial personnel. The Merchant Shipping Act 2010 is amended to update Chapter X of the SOLAS Convention in respect of high-speed craft to allow for regulations to be made as regards safe manning levels and to update the definition of the Maritime Labour Convention to allow for recent amendments to be included in national legislation. That concludes the outline of the Bill's provisions.”
“Part 3 of the Bill, entitled "Marine Accidents and Reporting", comprises sections 16 to 34. Section 16 provides for the MAIU to investigate marine accidents, including transposing the requirements of the EU directive in this regard. Section 17 provides for the requirements of the master and-or owner of a ship, and certain maritime authorities, to notify the MAIU of maritime accidents. Failure of the master or owner to notify the MAIU of an accident is an offence. Section 52 sets out consequential amendments required to other merchant shipping Acts on foot of the new requirements for offshore service vessels.”
“Section 11 provides for the Minister to develop a policy to manage conflicts of interest in respect of the MAIU. It also provides for the Minister to designate a civil servant within the Department who is not involved in the maritime area as a point of contact for any issues arising with conflicts of interest. Section 12 provides for the removal of an investigator from an investigation due to a breach of the conflicts of interest policy. Section 13 provides for the engagement of consultants and advisers by the chief investigator. Section 14 provides for the MAIU to keep itself informed where a public authority may have a function that has a bearing on matters with which the MAIU is concerned. Section 15 provides for the MAIU to publish an annual report identifying the marine accidents that occurred during that year.”
“Section 7 establishes the MAIU within the Department and provides for the MAIU to be independent of any person or body whose interests could conflict with it. This section also designates the MAIU as the marine safety investigation authority for the purposes of the EU directive. Section 8 provides for the functions of the MAIU which include carrying out marine safety investigations, making safety recommendations and publishing reports on each investigation. Section 9 provides that the MAIU will be staffed with experienced, qualified and independent investigators, including a chief investigator, who will lead the unit. Section 10 provides for the functions of the chief investigator. It also provides that the chief investigator shall not receive instruction from any official in my Department with a role in maritime policy or operations.”
“Their work has ensured that, where accidents have taken place, lessons have been learned and action has been taken to improve maritime safety. The move towards the MAIU will build on the important contribution that the MCIB has made. There are substantive provisions within the Bill. Turning to the contents of the Bill, it consists of five Parts and 52 sections. Part 1 of the Bill, entitled "Preliminary and General", is comprised of sections 1 to 5. These sections provide for standard legislative matters, including Short Title, interpretation, regulation-making powers, expenses, repeals and revocations. Part 2, entitled "Marine Accident Investigation Unit", is comprised of sections 6 to 15. Section 6 provides for the Minister to appoint a day for the establishment of the MAIU.”
“Ireland is ranked in the top ten of global shipping registers in the white list of the Paris memorandum of understanding on port state control. The safety of recreational craft users is a priority for my Department. Last September, following extensive stakeholder consultation, my Department published an updated edition of the code of practice for the safe operation of recreational craft. My Department regularly promotes the code and the safety messages contained within it through direct communication with stakeholders, marine notices and social media. To date, over 7,000 copies of the latest edition have been distributed. I wish to express my appreciation for the ongoing work of the MCIB, its board members and its investigators.”
“Before I go into the detail of the Bill, I would like to take this opportunity to acknowledge Ireland’s robust, internationally recognised maritime safety regime. It is important to highlight that the maritime safety functions of Ireland in my Department are subject to continuous and ongoing oversight and review by external third parties, including the International Maritime Organization, the European Commission, the European Maritime Safety Agency, and the National Standards Authority of Ireland, among others. We are among the best performers of IMO member states under the IMO member state audit scheme, which rigorously examines the maritime safety functions of the State, including accident investigation.”
“The Bill also provides for a regulatory regime to be put in place for the construction and operation of offshore service vessels and for the carriage of industrial personnel, which will support the offshore renewable energy sector. It also includes necessary updates to the International Maritime Organization's safety of life at sea convention and the International Labour Organization’s Maritime Labour Convention to enable more recent amendments to these conventions to be addressed in national secondary legislation. Pre-legislative scrutiny on the general scheme of the Bill was carried out by the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Transport and Communications in 2023. Where appropriate, the recommendations of the committee have been incorporated into this Bill and, in my view, have strengthened it.”
“I thank the Leas-Chathaoirleach. I am pleased to introduce the Merchant Shipping (Investigation of Marine Accidents) Bill 2024 for the consideration of the House. The Bill establishes a marine accident investigation unit, MAIU, within the Department of Transport and provides for a transition from the current Marine Casualty Investigation Board, MCIB. The MAIU, led by a chief investigator and staffed by full-time permanent investigators, will serve as the designated investigative authority under the EU directive on marine accident investigation while also having the authority to investigate marine accidents beyond its scope. The purpose of these investigations is to identify the causes of accidents and make recommendations with the aim of improving maritime safety.”
“As the Deputy rightly pointed out, this is a project that will connect Ballina, Westport, Castlebar, Claremorris, Tuam and Athenry, and will run down into Limerick and Cork Port, over to Waterford Port, out to Foynes and into Galway. It is bringing back that link to give us connectivity along the Atlantic economic corridor. I will be working with might and main to achieve that in the shortest time possible.”
“There is a timeline. I said that the all-island rail review mentioned a start date of 2030. However, with the review of the national development plan, and in view of the fact that the project does not need planning permission or a rail order, it is a project that can be implemented a lot quicker than that. I hope to talk to and continue to engage with officials. In the context of the national development plan, we hope to ensure that this project gets going as soon as possible. As we said earlier, it is important that we are a Government of implementation rather than one that does strategies. We need to implement the plans we have. We have the money to invest.”
“The publication of the rail review provides a very useful evidence-informed basis for our engagement with the national development plan review later this year. We are already investing in rail in Galway, with Ceannt Station being developed and with the passing loop at Oranmore, which gives us better frequency of services from Athenry to Galway.”
“However, the programme for Government commits to working collaboratively to act on the recommendations of the rail review. Assisted by the European Investment Bank advisory services, my Department and the Department for Infrastructure in Northern Ireland, and agencies north and south of the Border, are working to progress the rail review's recommendations in the years ahead. This work will additionally inform my Department's engagement on the review of the current national development plan, which is planned to take place this year. It should also be noted that individual programmes and projects referred to within the rail review will be advanced subject to funding and relevant approvals, as required under the infrastructure guidelines.”
“As the Deputy is probably aware, this is a project I have been pursuing for a long number of years. The final report of the all-island strategic rail review was published in July last year, following extensive public consultation. The report sets out 32 recommendations to enhance and expand the rail system in Ireland and Northern Ireland up to 2050, aligning with decarbonisation commitments in both jurisdictions. The recommendations seek to transform the quality of the rail system to the benefit of passengers and wider society on the island, through additional track capacity, electrification, increased speeds and higher service frequencies, and new and reinstated rail lines. Included in these recommendations is the work on the reinstatement of the western rail corridor between Athenry and Claremorris, which should commence in 2030.”
“The Deputy is right. I mentioned earlier that rail infrastructure in Galway is being developed with the development of Ceannt Station and the granting of planning permission for the passing loop at Oranmore. It is important that we create better connectivity into the city but also that we create a city in which you can move around in comfort. On the issue of the park-and-ride facilities that were planned and approved by councillors, I will check that out. I will be meeting with the executive in both the city and county in the coming weeks to see exactly where we are as regards implementation.”
“I expect that to happen next month or the month after. That will take another year. There is great frustration among those who come to Galway or work there. It is important that we get some measures in place to try to help.”
“I understand the Deputy's frustration when she talks about this particular problem we have in Galway. I hope we will be able to find solutions. One of the frustrations is that we spend a great deal of time on strategies and plans when we need to spend a little bit more time on implementation so that we can actually see the improvements reaching people on the ground. The light rail feasibility study was published for information last October. It was prepared by experts in international transport. It is a study for information but also to inform planners on the best way forward. However, we have to wait for the roads strategy feasibility study to be completed as well. As we all know, the outer ring road project will be going back to An Bord Pleanála with the further information from Galway County Council.”
“Implementation of any recommendations identified in the new strategy will be subject to the availability of funding as might be available under the relevant national development plan. This plan-led, long-term and multimodal approach to transport infrastructure delivery is in line with international best practice. It is important we consider a metropolitan area's transport requirements in the round rather than through the narrow prism of one specific mode. I accept what the Deputy's question asked and I look forward to working with her to improve transport in Galway.”
“It should be noted that any future rail project in Galway will only be advanced subject to funding and securing relevant Government approval under the infrastructure guidelines. The feasibility study is not intended to specifically identify a preferred alignment of a light rail corridor in Galway. Instead, it explores key issues and potential feasibility. Route options will need to be explored in more detail during any subsequent process of options assessment and development. The feasibility study will form part of the evidence base used as an input into the development of the new Galway metropolitan area transport strategy, which will be subject to a full environmental analysis and a public consultation process in due course.”
“I thank the Deputy for her kind words. As she is aware, the National Transport Authority published a light rail feasibility study for Galway last October for information. The study was prepared as part of a mode-specific analysis undertaken for the development of the Galway metropolitan area transport strategy, which the NTA is developing, in conjunction with Galway City Council and Galway County Council. A strategic roads feasibility study is also being undertaken. The findings from both studies will be used to inform the development of a new multimodal strategy, alongside recommendations for active travel, bus services, rail, road and demand management measures. The light rail feasibility study has shown that there could, under the right conditions, be a case for developing a light rail system for Galway.”
“On the detail the Deputy is looking for as regards the running of the bus service and the contracts that will be in place, that is information I do not have now. I will come back to the Deputy because it is something I need to know about myself. As I said, I am just into the job so I will be finding out.”
“All of that will mean more people and fewer cars coming in. I agree with the Deputy that the pace at which we are carrying out these infrastructure projects leaves a lot to be desired. I will be taking it up with them.”
“I, too, question why we have to wait two years to get it implemented. It is something I will be going back on because it is important that we deliver infrastructure faster. The Government's approach is to implement things rather than strategise them. We have enough of the paperwork done. We need to get it going. We have a huge problem with traffic in Galway city. We need to push on with the projects we need in the city, which will affect the county in its entirety. At the moment, we are developing Ceannt Station, bringing in four platforms. We have a passing loop in Oranmore, which has planning permission and which will bring more people into the city by public transport. We will also be looking at development of the western rail corridor from Athenry heading north to Claremorris.”
“The Salmon Weir pedestrian and cycling bridge was officially opened to the public in May 2023, helping to improve existing bus services. Overall, BusConnects will transform bus services in our cities, allowing passengers to travel more conveniently, quickly and sustainably. I look forward to the full implementation of BusConnects in Galway, no more than the Deputy.”
“The new bus network will result in increased access to more schools and workplaces across Galway city, Barna and Oranmore. Once implemented, approximately 67% of residents will live within 400 m of a high-frequency bus route, that is, buses running every 15 minutes or better. The NTA is currently working closely with Galway city and county councils to progress key infrastructure required for the roll-out of the redesigned services. The redesigned services are expected to commence in 2027, subject to operational readiness and funding. Other elements of BusConnects Galway are under development, including the cross-city link project, which was approved by An Bord Pleanála in September 2024 and is currently subject to judicial review, and the Dublin Road scheme, which the NTA is due to submit to An Bord Pleanála shortly.”
“I thank the Deputy. As she may be aware, the NTA published the final new bus network design for Galway in December 2023. The redesign of the bus network is one of the key elements of BusConnects Galway, which aims to transform the city’s bus system, making public transport more useful to more people. This new Galway network redesign involves extensive analysis and public consultation. The NTA carried out a detailed review of the bus network in collaboration with Galway City Council, Galway County Council and local bus operators, and with the specialised expertise of transport designers. In April 2023, a draft new network was published, and the feedback and submissions received have informed the final new bus network published that December.”
“We are on the same wavelength here. We need proper investment and to deliver infrastructure that suits people's demands. On the Dublin-Belfast issue, the popularity of the train service has created additional demand. That is a good thing. It means it is working. We have to keep it working right across the country and put investment into it. We also have to provide a good passenger experience to retain long-term customers. We need to invest a lot of money in bringing the rail network up to a standard that will attract more people to it. We have to provide carriages, rail infrastructure and passing loops and to increase the number of rail lines we have. That is all to be done. It is in the all-island rail review. It is a big challenge but if we are to provide services, take cars off the road and so on, this is the way to do it.”
“I hear the Deputy's frustration when he suggests there should be better and more frequent services. This is where the all-island rail review comes into focus. Improvements in the line to Wexford and Rosslare are part of the overall plan. Some of the infrastructural investment that has to go in will be a challenge, considering where the line is and the infrastructure that will be required. It is important we have connectivity to the regions, including Wexford and Rosslare, and to have it equal to every other part of the country. It will take time but it is something we are looking at. We need more improvements and more infrastructure and the all-Ireland rail review sets out the pathway by which we do that. We will also be looking at the national development plan to ensure we have the funding to do it.”
“The new battery-electric DART carriages will first be deployed from Dublin to Drogheda next year. As more carriages arrive, it may be feasible to also deploy them to extend DART services to and from Wicklow, subject to funding and approvals for the required charging infrastructure. The NTA is examining this issue with a view to progressing the extension around 2029. This could increase service frequency along that portion of the Rosslare to Dublin line from circa six trains a day each way to up to one train every hour. Overall, these plans offer the potential for a much higher level of train service on the Dublin to Rosslare line, which I look forward to progressing.”
“As part of the DART+ programme, specifically the DART+ coastal south project, it is planned to increase service frequency between the Bray and Greystones portion of the Rosslare line from approximately every 30 minutes in each direction to every 20 minutes. Work is ongoing by larnród Eireann and the NTA to investigate the best way to achieve this frequency improvement, including any infrastructure needs, and it is currently anticipated that it can be delivered by around 2028. Furthermore, the NTA Greater Dublin Area Transport Strategy 2022-2042, adopted in 2023, included a recommendation to extend the DART service to Wicklow town. I understand this extension can be facilitated through utilising the new battery-electric DART carriages which are currently arriving in Ireland and undergoing testing.”
“As the Deputy may be aware, a number of significant improvements are planned across Ireland's rail network over the coming years, including on the Dublin to Rosslare line. Last year, some changes to timetables on the line were introduced, including a new late evening service between Wexford and Gorey. I look forward to similar such timetable improvements being introduced in the coming years. My Department is also working to pursue the recommendations in the all-island strategic rail review, including an increase in services between Wexford and Rosslare to at least one train every two hours by 2030.”
“Within that policy framework, the Government will make decisions on any proposals emerging from the group examining the Capital City report. The issue the Deputy has raised in the Chamber this afternoon is one of a number being considered by that working group. The Minister’s expectation is that this group will put forward a suite of topics shortly for the responsible Departments to tease out further and work up into substantive proposals, as appropriate. The Minister has advised that he looks forward to considering any such proposals that reach his desk or to making observations on any other related proposals that are brought to Government by his ministerial colleagues.”
“The programme for Government, Securing Ireland's Future, comprehensively sets out the Government's ambitious plan to strengthen and enhance the tourism sector, ensuring a balanced regional spread of tourism throughout the country, working to develop long-term, sustainable and well-paid careers in tourism, working with local authorities and national bodies to improve public transport options and its infrastructure to key tourism locations making travel more convenient for visitors, conducting a review of the national aviation policy to maximise the use of our airports and through many other focuses. The Department is pursuing high-quality and high-value outcomes for tourism through the deployment of sound and sustainable policies.”
“Tourism is the largest indigenous industry in Ireland and a major driver of regional growth and employment. Visitor accommodation capacity is a key infrastructure element underpinning the tourism offering, located, as it is, in every region and county. The visitor accommodation business provides significant employment, supporting livelihoods, families and sustainable local economies.”
“The Capital City report included the introduction of a tourist tax as one of a range of possible funding mechanisms “that could be leveraged to support implementation of this plan ringfenced for the city.” It also acknowledged that “Any decision on fundraising is a matter for government and is outside the remit of the Taskforce.” The recommendations of the latter report in full are now being considered by an interdepartmental group led by the Department of the Taoiseach and including officials from the Department.”
“Tourists and other visitors get a short-term benefit from public goods and services, such as water and sewerage systems, utilities, waste facilities, parks, security and public safety services, without having contributed to their funding. The rationale behind an accommodation tax is to ensure that those guests contribute to the ongoing costs of providing these goods and services. Depending on their design, accommodation taxes may also make the tourism industry more sustainable by providing a revenue stream that can improve environmental and economic sustainability as well as improving infrastructure. An accommodation tax can be regarded as an adaptation of the general ‘polluter-pays principle’ to a ‘user-pays principle’ that calls upon the user of resources (i.e. the tourist) to bear the cost in a more sustainable way.”
“The Foundations for the Future Report in recommending the introduction of an accommodation tax stated: Accommodation or city taxes (also referred to as tourist or transient visitor taxes) are largely focused on tourism or accommodation providers, and are typically levied on short-term stays in paid accommodation. Across Europe, including in for instance Paris, Berlin and Vienna, such taxes are applied to hotel accommodation in addition to VAT. Such taxes have been introduced across the globe in response to tourism consumption and the pressures it places on the provision of public goods and services. Consumers are generally responsible for paying such taxes, while the accommodation facility is responsible for collecting them.”
“The geographic scope of such a measure would also be an issue for consideration. Other issues arising include: scoping, identification and collection of relevant verifiable visitor data; collection of data regarding paid accommodation providers and their bed stock; the levy collection mechanism; the levy collector; and the potential administrative impact on paid accommodation providers. How the revenue raised from such a levy could be applied would also require close examination. It is noteworthy that the introduction of a visitor accommodation levy was proposed in Foundations for the Future, the report of the Commission on Taxation and Welfare published in September 2022 and more recently in Capital City, the report of the Dublin city task force published in October 2024, specifically for Dublin city.”
“I thank Deputy Geoghegan for raising a very important issue we need to get to grips with. I am responding on behalf of the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media pending the formal transfer of functions, following Government formation. There are currently no plans to introduce a tourist tax or visitor accommodation levy but the Minister’s understanding and his view is that the introduction of such a levy would need careful consideration given the importance of inbound tourism to Ireland’s economy, local communities and the paid visitor accommodation sector. A visitor accommodation levy would have to take account of issues, such as who would pay. For example, would its application be limited to international visitors or would it be extended to all visitors, including domestic visitors?”
“The consultation sought feedback from the public on several key areas, including how to respond to public concerns about the increased use of drones, as the Deputy has mentioned, how to position Ireland as a potential front-runner in the emerging sector, and how to future-proof responsible development of the drone industry. The policy framework seeks to strike a balance between realising the benefits of the development and uptake of new technologies and the risks they can cause. It is envisaged this policy document will be published in the coming months. In the meantime, the IAA, as the civil aviation safety regulator, will continue to oversee drone operations throughout the State to ensure the operations are safe and comply with the EU regulations. I accept that this is a growing industry.”
“The programme for Government includes a commitment to finalising and implementing a policy framework to guide high-level strategic planning and development of the drone sector in Ireland through supporting growth and innovation while ensuring safe and secure operations and managing environmental and other concerns. The policy framework recognises the importance of collaboration and engagement with a wide range of stakeholders. The foundation of the policy framework is cross-government engagement and it is informed by public and industry consultation. A public consultation was held in 2024.”
“The Deputy mentioned a question about planning and whether it is required. It is a matter for the planning authority. If somebody has a commercial enterprise in a location, they have to have planning permission for it. That is coming from the experience of working on the council for a number of years. Aviation is a highly regulated industry and there is a comprehensive legislative framework in place at both EU and national level to regulate safe drone operations. The rapid pace of drone innovation and commercialisation has created challenges. I agree with that. The Government is aware that the impact of a growing drone sector with an increasing volume of drone operations needs to be further considered.”
“In addition to complying with EU drone regulations, drone operators must also comply with national laws, including environmental, planning and, as I mentioned, privacy laws. On top of the two EU drone regulations I outlined earlier, there is also a European regulatory framework, comprising Regulations (EU) 2021/664, 2021/665 and 2021/666, that allows for the safe development of the drone services market, including drone delivery, and the integration of drones into our airspace.”
“These might include, for example, co-ordination with air traffic control, fitting the drone with a parachute and flight termination system, and dynamically routing away from more densely populated locations. At a national level, SI 24 of 2023 Irish Aviation Authority (Unmanned Aircraft Systems (Drones)) Order 2023, came into force on 2 February 2023, replacing an earlier drones order. It restates the investigative and enforcement powers of the IAA and provides for arrangements between An Garda Síochána and the IAA in the enforcement of EU drone regulations. It also includes a section on privacy rights which draws the attention to drone operators to prepare a data protection impact assessment, where required, in accordance with the EU general data protection regulation.”
“Under the EU regulatory regime, drone operations are classified into three broad categories: open, specific and certified, with different regulatory considerations applied across each category. As one would imagine, commercial drone delivery operations are heavily regulated. Drone delivery operations like those in Dublin 15 fall into the medium-risk "specific" category, which requires specific authorisation by the IAA. This type of authorisation is recognised in all EU member states. To obtain an operational authorisation, an operator must provide a comprehensive safety portfolio, which includes assessing and addressing both ground and air risks with appropriate mitigations.”
“Regulation 2019/947 sets operational rules that apply to both professional drone operators and those flying drones for leisure. Regulation 2019/945 sets the common EU-wide technical requirements for drones, the features and capabilities drones must have to be flown safely and, at the same time, help foster investment and innovation in this sector through a harmonised framework across the European Union. The aim of the EU drone regulations is to achieve the same level of safety for drone operations as in manned aviation. The Irish Aviation Authority, the civil aviation regulator, oversees the implementation of the EU drone regulations and standards. The drone regulations are operation-centric and focus on the risk of drone operations, so regulation is lighter on low-risk operations and more demanding on higher risk operations.”
“I thank the Deputy for raising this question. It is interesting from a rural TD perspective to find out what is actually happening in the Deputy's constituency with drones and the delivery of fast food. As he said, it is new. From an aviation safety perspective, the regulation of both the recreational and commercial use of drones, or unmanned aircraft systems are they are technically called, is provided for under European Union regulations that are directly applicable in Ireland. Two drone-specific EU regulations ensure drone operations across Europe are safe and secure. The two regulations, Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2019/945 and the Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2019/947, set out common rules for the regulation of drones and drone operators, including training, licensing and registration.”
“The strategy also affirms the IDA's unrelenting focus on the regions. Building on the excellent performance over the previous strategy, the IDA is targeting 55% of the investments to regional locations in the next five years. As a regional representative like Deputy McCormack, we will work to make sure that is not just speak but that it is actually implemented. We will keep on that. I thank the Deputy.”
“The Government is fully aware of the competitiveness challenge the country faces as it competes for foreign direct investment. As we are taking the necessary steps to position Ireland for the future, we will continue to place cost, planning, energy and research and development at the centre of our forward looking policymaking, all reflected in policy commitments in the new programme for Government. Just yesterday, the Minister, Deputy Peter Burke, launched the IDA's new strategy for the coming five-year period. The timing is opportune as we face into uncertain times. Central to the IDA's new strategy is an emphasis on partnering with its existing 1,800 clients, employing more than 3,000 people across this country, to identify opportunities and safeguard and strengthen long-term investment in Ireland.”