Results 1-20 of 7,736 for speaker:Darren O'Rourke

Ceisteanna - Questions: Cross-Border Co-operation (19 Nov 2025)

Darren O'Rourke: 20. To ask the Taoiseach for a report on the work of the shared island unit. [56576/25]

Written Answers — Department of An Taoiseach: Departmental Functions (19 Nov 2025)

Darren O'Rourke: 40. To ask the Taoiseach if he will report on the programme plan for his Department's new disability unit for 2025-2027 [56577/25]

Written Answers — Department of An Taoiseach: Cabinet Committees (19 Nov 2025)

Darren O'Rourke: 60. To ask the Taoiseach when the Cabinet Committee on Government Co-ordination will next meet. [56578/25]

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: School Meals Programme (19 Nov 2025)

Darren O'Rourke: 180. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the number of primary schools in the State that do not currently have access to the free school meal scheme, despite being eligible, by county, in tabular form. [64170/25]

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: School Meals Programme (19 Nov 2025)

Darren O'Rourke: 181. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the date in Q4 2025 that we can expect publication of the review carried out on nutritional standards of the free school meal scheme. [64171/25]

Written Answers — Department of Health: Health Services Staff (19 Nov 2025)

Darren O'Rourke: 346. To ask the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 1168 on 13 May 2025, to provide an update on the progress of a comprehensive assessment of the physician associate role internationally which will make recommendations for standardisation, scope of practice and appropriate deployment in Ireland; and her views on if this review will be completed by quarter 4 of 2025 or...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Health Services Staff (19 Nov 2025)

Darren O'Rourke: 348. To ask the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 1168 of 13 May 2025, if the review undertaken deems that the role of physician associate is not viable in the State; the measures which will be taken to support students who undertook this master's degree provided by the HSE and RCSI; and the position students will qualify for, having completed this degree, taking into...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Health Services Staff (19 Nov 2025)

Darren O'Rourke: 347. To ask the Minister for Health the number of physician associates currently employed across the State, by county, in tabular form. [64138/25]

Mercosur Trade Agreement: Motion [Private Members] (18 Nov 2025)

Darren O'Rourke: I welcome the opportunity to speak on this important and timely motion and thank Deputies Kenny and Newsome Drennan for tabling it. The purpose and intent of the motion is to send a clear, unequivocal message that Ireland must stand up for its farming families and rural communities by opposing the Mercosur trade deal. This agreement is a bad deal on every front. It is a bad deal for Irish...

Mercosur Trade Agreement: Motion [Private Members] (18 Nov 2025)

Darren O'Rourke: Why does the Government not say it "has examined" this deal, not that it "continues to examine" it? Why does it not state it will stand up for farmers and rural communities, defend their livelihoods, oppose and reject the deal, and build the blocking minority to ensure it does not pass?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Artificial Intelligence: Artificial Intelligence, Truth and Democracy: Discussion (18 Nov 2025)

Darren O'Rourke: I thank all of the witnesses. I will start where Deputy Ó Cearúil finished with Dr. McQuillan. Dr. McQuillan made a point on an issue that has come up previously in our hearings about the voice of the public in relation to the development of AI and participation. He referenced worker and community collectives. Will he expand on what he means and envisages by that?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Artificial Intelligence: Artificial Intelligence, Truth and Democracy: Discussion (18 Nov 2025)

Darren O'Rourke: I will pick up on a point made by some other speakers, namely, that it is hugely challenging for Ireland as a state to regulate this sector on its own. We all have an appreciation of the nature of the power and influence these massive corporations have. What is the ability of a state, or even the European Union, to shape how AI looks?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Artificial Intelligence: Artificial Intelligence, Truth and Democracy: Discussion (18 Nov 2025)

Darren O'Rourke: Mr. Godfrey made a point about plurality and obligations on the broadcast media to provide balance in electoral contests, and that this is something we should look at in the digital space. Will he expand on that point? There are also other areas like, for example, in the Digital Services Act. How might we apply that in Ireland and are there opportunities to strengthen regulation?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Artificial Intelligence: Artificial Intelligence, Truth and Democracy: Discussion (18 Nov 2025)

Darren O'Rourke: On a related point, which I have highlighted here, there have been lots of discussion about recommender systems. There is legislation on the books here and there has been a lot of criticism concerning the weakness of the primary legislation or its application in Ireland. Is there a need or an opportunity to ensure that those recommender systems are switched off? Mr. Godfrey made a point...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Artificial Intelligence: Artificial Intelligence, Truth and Democracy: Discussion (18 Nov 2025)

Darren O'Rourke: How do we make them safe? What would that look like?

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Public Transport (18 Nov 2025)

Darren O'Rourke: 129. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport for an update on the rollout of Connecting Ireland in County Meath; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [63322/25]

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Bus Services (18 Nov 2025)

Darren O'Rourke: 134. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport for an update on the 103 bus service in County Meath; the plans to improve this service to meet increasing demand; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [63321/25]

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Road Safety (18 Nov 2025)

Darren O'Rourke: 242. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if TII plans to conduct a safety assessment on the M3 motorway (Navan to Dublin) before the toll bridge at Dunboyne, taking into account frequent incidents occurring on this section of the road which can cause significant safety issues and delays for commuters. [62766/25]

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Road Safety (18 Nov 2025)

Darren O'Rourke: 243. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the measures available for him to take to improve safety and reduce the volume of incidents before the toll bridge at Dunboyne on the M3, taking into account that there have been several incidents affecting commuters on this section of road in recent times. [62767/25]

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Transport Policy (18 Nov 2025)

Darren O'Rourke: 244. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the long-term plans in place to improve transport infrastructure for commuters from Navan to Dublin. [62768/25]