Fine Gael Cork Senator, Jerry Buttimer, has welcomed the announcement by the Minister for Justice and Equality, Frances Fitzgerald, and the Minister for Social Protection, Leo Varadkar, that the Government is to provide fathers with two weeks of paid paternity leave.

Leas-Cathaoirleach of Seanad Éireann, Fine Gael Senator in Kerry Paul Coghlan, has warmly welcomed the Taoiseach’s appointment of his Kerry colleague, Brendan Griffin TD, as chairman of the Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport.

Fine Gael TD for Louth, Peter Fitzpatrick, said that maximum per kg rates for household waste collection should be introduced.

Fine Gael TD for Dublin South-West, Colm Brophy, says the new report from the Oireachtas Committee on Housing and Homelessness is an important step in tackling the lack of housing supply and the increasing problem of homelessness. However Deputy Brophy has hit out at committee member Deputy Ruth Coppinger for her decision to walk away and introduce her own minority report.

Fine Gael Cork Senator, Colm Burke, has welcomed the publication of the HSE’s Annual Report and Financial Statements for 2015, which shows that 63,000 people per week attend out-patient clinics. The report outlines how the HSE has responded to the many challenges it faces, in providing a quality health service for all, as well as providing for population growth and increased life expectancy.

Fine Gael TD for Dublin North West, Noel Rock has called for clear action to be taken in relation to the huge rise in bin charges, being imposed by waste companies across the country.

Fine Gael Senator Catherine Noone has called for urgent regulation of the digital marketing of junk food to young teenagers.

Fine Gael TD for Louth, Peter Fitzpatrick, said that additional funding needs to be provided to Dundalk Institute of Technology, as a matter of urgency.

Fine Gael TD for Kildare South, Martin Heydon, has urged mortgage holders to engage with a new public consultation announced by the Central Bank in relation to Loan-to-Value and Loan-to-Income Regulations.

Speaking on the Seanad Order of Business today (Thursday), Fine Gael Dublin Rathdown Senator, Neale Richmond, called on the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Trade, Shane Ross TD, to work with his Northern Ireland Ministerial counterpart, as well as the FAI and IFA, to initiate the creation of an all-Ireland soccer team.