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Jobs Committee to invite Sean O’Sullivan to discuss Entrepreneurship Forum Report - English

Fine Gael Meath West TD, Damien English, has today (Thursday) said that as Chair of the Oireachtas Jobs Committee he intends to extend an invite to Sean O’Sullivan to discuss the main recommendations of the Report of the Entrepreneurship Forum.

23rd January 2014

Minister Bruton publishes Entrepreneurship Forum Report

Government aims to better support start-ups - who create two thirds of all new jobs across economy The Report of the Entrepreneurship Forum was launched today (Thursday) by Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation, Richard Bruton TD and Chair of the Forum, entrepreneur and Investor Sean O’ Sullivan together with Minister of State for Small Business John Perry TD.

23rd January 2014

O’Donovan calls for penalties for misuse of Leader’s Allowance

Fine Gael Limerick TD, Patrick O’Donovan, has today (Thursday) called for penalties to be enforced for the misuse of the Leader’s Allowance. Deputy O’Donovan welcomed the fact that Independent TDs and Senators who receive the Leader’s Allowance will be subject to scrutiny by the Standards in Public Office Commission (SIPO).

23rd January 2014

Stud farms should be given special status in consideration of wind farm planning applications – Flanagan

Fine Gael Chairman and Laois/Offaly TD, Charlie Flanagan, has today (Thursday) said that stud farms and racehorse training facilities should be designated as ‘noise sensitive properties’ when planning applications are being considered for wind farm developments.

23rd January 2014

Varadkar announces €332M for Regional and Local Roads

Minister for Transport, Tourism & Sport Leo Varadkar has announced details of the €332.9 million investment programme for 2014 for regional and local roads.

23rd January 2014

We’re still being codded by Dublin take away menus - Noone

Dublin Senator, Catherine Noone, has today (Thursday) voiced her concerns about the continuing practice in Dublin takeaways of mislabelling fish as cod, when it is another fish altogether. Senator Noone was speaking after a survey showed that 41% of fish labelled cod was another species.

23rd January 2014

HSE figures on Sec 38s & 39s show need for PAC to continue its work - Harris

Fine Gael Wicklow TD and member of the Public Accounts Committee, Simon Harris, has today (Wednesday) said that figures received by him from the HSE, detailing the level of taxpayers’ money being paid to Section 38 and Section 39 organisations, underline the need for transparency.

22nd January 2014

Minister accepts Coffey’s proposed change to rates legislation

Fine Gael Waterford TD, Paudie Coffey, has today (Wednesday) said he is very pleased that the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government, Phil Hogan TD, has accepted legislation put forward by Deputy Coffey which will prevent businesses from being forced to pay rates arrears when they have taken over new premises.

22nd January 2014

Rehab revelations warrant further scrutiny – O’Donovan

Fine Gael Limerick TD, Patrick O’Donovan, has today (Wednesday) said that the revelations surrounding extremely low profit margins at Rehab Lotteries warrant further scrutiny. Deputy O’Donovan made his comments in the aftermath of a contribution by the Minister for Justice, Alan Shatter TD, to a Dáil debate on charities last night.

22nd January 2014

Speech delivered by Alan Shatter TD, Minister for Justice, Equality and Defence during Private Members’ Business on the Charities (Amendment) Bill 2014 (Second Stage)

We are all concerned at recent disclosures regarding certain charitable organisations. We are all concerned at the impact these disclosures are having on Ireland’s charities, many of which are excellently run and have nothing to fear from increased transparency and accountability. The Charities Act of 2009 provides for a system of regulation of charities in Ireland at the heart of which is the creation and support of strong trust and confidence in our charities. On the part of Government, we plan to support this through the phased introduction of the Charities Act.

22nd January 2014

Alan Shatter TD's speech at the Marriage Equality Conference

I am delighted to have been invited to speak at Marriage Equality’s LGBT Parenting in Ireland conference. I would like to congratulate Marriage Equality on today’s event and on its multi- faceted campaign to highlight the situation and needs of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender families. Marriage Equality has consistently expanded our knowledge of the experiences of LGBT parents. What is more, it has put a useful spotlight on the experiences and wishes of their children.

21st January 2014

Breen welcomes re-opening of Vatican embassy

Fine Gael Clare TD and Chairman of the Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, Pat Breen, has today (Tuesday) welcomed the re-opening of an Irish embassy to the Holy See. The move has been announced as part of the establishment of a number of new embassies and consulates to support trade and aid.

21st January 2014