Latest News

Cannon to represent Government at St Pat’s for All parade in NYC

Fine Gael TD and Minister of State for Education and Skills, Ciaran Cannon TD, will tomorrow (Sunday) represent the Government at the St Pat’s for All parade in New York city. The annual event, which includes LGBT groups, community groups, children's bands, Irish organisations and religious and civic groups, celebrates the Irish community in New York.

Criminal Law (Incest)(Amendment) Bill 2012 Private Members Bill - Second Stage Speech by Alan Shatter T.D. Minister for Justice and Equality

The Deputy’s Bill is, in part, a response to the Roscommon child care case. An Inquiry Team chaired by Ms. Norah Gibbons presented a report into that case to the HSE in October, 2010. I am conscious that the preface of the report referred to the wave of publicity and comment that followed the sentencing of the mother and father in 2009 and 2010, respectively for physical abuse, sexual abuse and neglect.

Heydon seeks Government support to re-establish Irish sugar industry

Fine Gael Kildare South TD, Martin Heydon, has today (Saturday) highlighted the potential of a return to sugar beet production in Ireland. Speaking at the Fine Gael Ard Fheis at the RDS, he called on the Government to support the ongoing efforts to re-establish the industry.

Leader's Speech to the Fine Gael Ard Fheis 2014

Minister Shatter publishes the Joint Probation Service

The Minister for Justice, Equality and Defence, Mr Alan Shatter TD, today published the Joint Probation Service and Irish Prison Service Women’s Strategy 2014 - 2016 entitled “An Effective Response to Women Who Offend”. This joint strategy sets out how the two agencies will provide tailored interventions for women with the aim to reduce offending among women and improve outcomes.

Speech by Damien English TD, Chair of the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation at the Fine Gael Ard Fheis 2014

Ministers, colleagues, delegates, ladies and gentlemen, Good morning and welcome to the 77th Fine Gael Ard Fheis. I am very pleased to welcome you to this important discussion on our plan for jobs and growth. Nothing is more important for our country at this time.

Speech by Mr. Alan Shatter TD, Minister for Justice, Equality and Defence at the launch of The Irish Prison Service and Probation Service Annual Reports 2013

Director of the Probation Service - Vivian Geiran, Director General of the Irish Prison Service - Michael Donnellan, CEO of Depaul Ireland - Kerry Anthony, Chairman of Tus Nua - Ray McGovern and invited guests.

Speech to be delivered by Alan Shatter TD, Minister for Justice, Equality and Defence 7 March 2014 Citizenship Ceremony City Hall, Waterford

Mayor Cummins, ladies and gentlemen, thank you for those warm words of welcome. I am delighted to be here in Waterford on this special day for all those of you who will be granted Irish citizenship. It is a very important day in the story of your life and it is also an important day for Ireland, as the host nation bestowing this honour on you.

Statement by the Minister for Justice, Equality and Defence, Alan Shatter TD on the Government's Priorities for the Year Ahead

I intend to first address my Justice brief and, thereafter, Defence. As Deputies will know, the Programme for Government sets out a substantial and broad agenda for reform in the area of Justice and Equality. I believe we have made great progress in implementing this agenda in the first three years of this Government’s term of office and that we have achieved an unprecedented level of reform in that time.

Time for Dun Laoghaire to move forward and plan for a brighter future – Mitchell O’Connor

Fine Gael Dun Laoghaire TD, Mary Mitchell O’Connor, has today (Tuesday) said it is time for the town to move forward and plan for a brighter future. Deputy Mitchell O’Connor was speaking after the Business Improvement District (BID) scheme was passed by Dun Laoghaire Rathdown County Council members.

Varadkar announces €620K for Dublin tourism trail aimed at international visitors

Minister for Transport, Tourism & Sport Leo Varadkar has announced €620,000 to further develop several key tourism attractions in Dublin, the restoration of the historic church bell which was the first Catholic Bell to ring in Dublin in breach of the Penal Laws.

Fine Gael is putting children first

Frances Fitzgerald TD, Minister for Children & Youth Affairs has today addressed the Fine Gael Árd Fhéis in the RDS, telling delegates that Fine Gael in Government has made significant progress in disrupting the decades-long legacy of inaction and failures by previous Governments in the areas of child protection, youth justice and childcare quality.