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Topical Issue Debate: “The need to establish an independent commission of investigation into the Stardust Tragedy of 1981” Opening Remarks by Minister of State Kathleen Lynch, T.D for Alan Shatter T.D

On behalf of the Minister for Justice and Equality, I would like to thank the Deputy for raising this matter. The Minister regrets that he is unable to be present today due to other business.

2nd February 2014

Statement by the Minister for Justice and Equality, Alan Shatter, TD on allegations of surveillance of offices of Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission

I would like to begin by emphasising the important public role played by An Garda Síochána as the police force in this State and by the Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission (GSOC) as the independent body with the important remit of investigating allegations of police misconduct. Each is a crucial pillar in our constitutional democracy and each plays a vital role in the public interest.

1st February 2014

UK vote in favour of car smoking ban should hasten Irish efforts – Noone

Fine Gael Dublin Senator, Catherine Noone, has today (Tuesday) encouraged the Government to speed up legislation to ban smoking in cars carrying children, after the UK parliament voted in favour of the measure. The UK ban is due to be introduced before the next general election in 2015.

1st February 2014

Minister Shatter welcomes the launch of the Child and Family Agency

Alan Shatter TD, Minister for Justice Equality and Defence, today welcomes the official launch of, Tusla, the Child and Family Agency.

31st January 2014

Political leaders must work together to advance Bosnia and Herzegovinas EU prospects - Minister Donohoe

The Minister is in Sarajevo for meetings with key political leaders, to address students and NGOs at the University and to meet with the local Irish community in Sarajevo, including members of the Irish Defence Forces stationed there as part of the EU mission.

31st January 2014

Shatter Statement on Final Group of Committee Stage Amendments to the Legal Services Regulation Bill 2011

Committee Stage of the Legal Services Regulation Bill Resumes on 12 February The Minister for Justice, Equality and Defence, Alan Shatter TD, has confirmed that he has circulated today the Government’s amendments to Parts 7, 8 and 9 of the Legal Services Regulation Bill which will be discussed when the Bill resumes Committee Stage on 12 February. These three Parts of the Bill deal with the:

31st January 2014

Statement by Minister Shatter on Mount Carmel Hospital

Speaking today about the closure of Mount Carmel Hospital, Fine Gael TD for Dublin South, Minister Alan Shatter said:

31st January 2014

An Taoiseach and Minister for Children and Youth Affairs officially launch Ireland’s new Child and Family Agency

An Taoiseach Enda Kenny TD, today joined with Frances Fitzgerald TD, Minister for Children & Youth Affairs to officially launch the new Child and Family Agency.

30th January 2014

Concert goers need friends in low-priced places – Noone

Fine Gael Dublin Senator, Catherine Noone, has today (Thursday) strongly criticised what she described as the exorbitant rates being charged by some city centre hotels for accommodation for the weekend of the Garth Brooks’ concerts in Croke Park.

30th January 2014

HSE outlines plans for improvement of ambulance service in North East – Doherty

Fine Gael Meath East TD, Regina Doherty, has today (Thursday) welcomed clarification from the HSE on how it plans to improve the ambulance service it provides in the North East region. Deputy Doherty received the update at a meeting with local TDs, the Minister for Health, James Reilly TD, and Martin Dunne, the Director of the National Ambulance Service (NAS) to discuss issues with the service in the region.

30th January 2014

Launch of Child and Family Agency will ensure more cohesive delivery of services - Buttimer

Cork South Central Fine Gael TD and Chairperson of the Oireachtas Committee on Health and Children, Jerry Buttimer, has today (Thursday) said that the launch of the single dedicated Child and Family Agency represents a significant reform and will ensure a more cohesive delivery of services.

30th January 2014

Minister Shatter announces that increases in the monetary jurisdiction of the Circuit Court and District Court will come into force on 3 February

The Minister for Justice, Equality and Defence, Alan Shatter, T.D., today confirmed that Part 3 of the Courts and Civil Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2013 (No. 32 of 2013), which increases the monetary jurisdiction of the Circuit Court and District Court, will take effect from the 3rd of February 2014. The Act increases the jurisdiction of the Circuit Court to €75,000 and of the District Court to €15,000.

30th January 2014