Latest news with #RuthCoppinger
Irish Times
7 days ago
- Irish Times
A day in the life of Bere Island primary school
Solidarity TD Ruth Coppinger played a recording of drones from her neighbour, 'in Blanchardstown, we've been suffering this for over a year and a half."
Irish Times
13-06-2025
- Business
- Irish Times
The Irish Times view on proliferating drones: don't look up
This week the Dáil was warned of a dystopian future of Irish skies filled with commercial drones. People Before Profit TD Ruth Coppinger played footage of drones hovering noisily over Blanchardstown rooftops, while Social Democrats TD Gary Gannon called for a temporary restriction zone over Glasnevin. Despite the hyperbole, concerns over noise, privacy and safety are valid. At the heart of the growing unease is a company now operating high-frequency drone food deliveries in west Dublin, and reportedly planning to expand to the northern and southern suburbs before rolling out nationwide. With weekly flight volumes already in the thousands, the shift from pilot project to daily reality is well underway. Ireland finds itself at the leading edge of drone delivery in Europe, praised by operators for a regulatory environment that fosters innovation. Drones are being used not just for burgers and burritos, but for medicines and time-sensitive consumer goods. Yet what industry advocates view as forward-thinking policy, critics see as dangerously lax. They argue that existing laws are outpaced by the speed of technological development and ill-equipped to manage the risks. This is acknowledged in the Programme for Government, which commits to integrating drone oversight into the air navigation division of the Irish Aviation Authority. The Taoiseach has conceded new regulations are needed to deal with drones 'flying left, right, centre', suggesting an Oireachtas committee should investigate the matter further. READ MORE While the Government reflects, the drone economy is scaling up fast. Communities in Tallaght, Glasnevin and beyond will soon hear the distinctive buzz overhead if planning applications are successful. The concerns which have been expressed over noise and privacy are legitimate. But others border on the moralistic. The question is not whether drone deliveries will be part of modern life – they already are – but how they are regulated to ensure that innovation serves the public good, rather than intrudes upon it.
Irish Times
13-06-2025
- Irish Times
Israel launches attacks on Iran
Solidarity TD Ruth Coppinger played a recording of drones from her neighbour, 'in Blanchardstown, we've been suffering this for over a year and a half."
Irish Times
12-06-2025
- Irish Times
'We are just victims here': Filipino families flee Ballymena home
Solidarity TD Ruth Coppinger played a recording of drones from her neighbour, 'in Blanchardstown, we've been suffering this for over a year and a half."
The Irish Sun
11-06-2025
- Business
- The Irish Sun
Ireland's skies will be ‘as busy as our roads' with millions of drone deliveries as noise pollution concerns raised
IRELAND'S skies could become as busy as our roads due to drones being used to deliver 'burgers and lattes', the Dail heard today. Drone company Manna has teamed up with fast 1 Over 2 million drone deliveries are expected Credit: Getty Images - Getty Several TDs today raised concerns from their constituents about noise pollution caused by delivery Solidarity TD Ruth Coppinger took out her phone during the The She claimed that Ireland's 'skies are going to become as busy as our roads' as she questioned why private companies should have the right to be using drones to make deliveries. READ MORE IN IRISH NEWS She said: 'Manna Drone Delivery began operating in Blanchardstown and it, apparently, has 170,000 drone flights done. 'The plan is for two million. The company has now linked up with the massive multinational, 'Let us be clear: the company is not delivering blood or medicine, it is delivering burgers and lattes for profit.' Most read in Irish News He claimed the Government has not kept pace with the industry on regulation as he raised concerns about noise pollution and the impact drones could have on bird and bat species. Deputy Gannon asked the Minister for Why US army is turning to 'snipers in the sky' in largest overhaul since Cold War Junior Transport Minister Jerry Buttimer told the Dail that However, he acknowledged the point about noise pollution raised by the Dublin TDs and said he will take them back to the Department for consideration.
