Fine Gael Clare TD and Chairman of the Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, Pat Breen, has today (Wednesday) helped Aer Lingus to launch its new Boeing B757 service from Shannon to Boston.

Since I last addressed this House on the regulation of charities, I have taken steps to advance the implementation of the 2009 Charities Act. I wish to inform the House of this progress today, but first I want to address the important issue of charity fundraising. I highlighted some concerns I have in this regard recently in the Dáil and I am now pleased to address this House on the matter.

Fine Gael Clare Senator, Martin Conway, has today (Wednesday) welcomed comments from the office of the EU’s Regional Policy Commissioner, Johannes Hahn, that Ireland can apply for assistance from the Solidarity Fund.

Minister for European Affairs, Paschal Donohoe T.D., this afternoon (Wednesday) encouraged a greater level of engagement by Northern Ireland Unionist MLAs with members of Dáil Éireann. Minister Donohoe was speaking in the Dáil on Statements on the Current Situation in Northern Ireland (see full speech below).

The Minister for Justice, Equality and Defence today complimented members of the Garda Síochána, Defence Forces and Civil Defence on their work throughout the country in the last few days.

The Minister for Justice, Equality and Defence, Alan Shatter TD, has received Government approval for the drafting of the Criminal Justice (Community Sanctions) Bill 2014 and for the publication of the General Scheme of the Bill today. The General Scheme will be submitted to the Joint Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality for pre-legislative consideration.

At the outset I would like to thank the Committee for their willingness to deal with this matter today, at short notice. It is important that Ireland is seen to be in a position to play a full part in the negotiations which have just begun in relation to this instrument, and a positive response to the Motion which has been tabled will facilitate that objective.

Fine Gael Dublin Senator, Catherine Noone, has today (Wednesday) called on the Minister for Finance, Michael Noonan TD, to consider introducing a higher than proposed tax rate on online gambling, in the context of the Betting Amendment Bill.

Fine Gael Wexford TD, Dr Liam Twomey, has today (Wednesday) welcomed the announcement by the Minister for Health, Dr James Reilly TD, that a public consultation is underway on legislation which will introduce ‘Living Wills’.