Fine Gael TD for Kildare North, Anthony Lawlor, has today (Thursday) highlighted that only 4% of civil servants are aged 30 or under and that the Government’s Civil Service Renewal Plan provides a real opportunity to re- energise the civil service.

Fine Gael TD for Carlow Kilkenny, John Paul Phelan, today (Thursday) said the Government’s National Broadband Plan is delivering, as demonstrated by announcements this week which will see broadband provided to at least 500,000 homes and businesses across the country.

Fine Gael Cork North Central Senator, Colm Burke, has today (Thursday), called on the HSE to maintain the high numbers of people receiving respite care. Senator Burke was speaking after the release of HSE figures showing that 6,208 people benefitted from residential centre based respite services last year.

Thank you for joining us today for the launch of the Government’s Civil Service Renewal Plan. The past few years has seen our country face huge challenges.

Fine Gael Dublin Senator Catherine Noone today (Thursday) highlighted the real scope for Dublin City Council to cut commercial rates by as much as 2% in their upcoming budget.

At its meeting today, the Government nominated a judge of the High Court as President of the Court of Appeal, as well as, seven judges of the High Court and one judge of the Circuit Court as ordinary judges of the Court of Appeal as follows:

Fine Gael TD for Laois/Offaly and Chair of the Oireachtas Jobs Committee, Marcella Corcoran Kennedy, has today (Wednesday), welcomed the World Bank 2015 Doing Business Report which shows that Ireland’s overall doing business ranking has moved four places up to 13th this year.

Fine Gael TD for Dun Laoghaire, Mary Mitchell O’Connor, has today (Wednesday), appealed to Irish Water to consider extending the age for the children’s water free allowance to students up to 23 years of age who can prove they are in full time education.

Fine Gael Senator for Dublin Bay South, Catherine Noone, has today (Tuesday), expressed her concern at the announcement by Dublin Bus that they are to increase cash fares, as this change may affect some of the most vulnerable in Dublin.

Fine Gael TD for Longford/Westmeath, Gabrielle McFadden, has said that the approval by the European Commission of a joint project between ESB and Vodafone will ensure a new high speed fibre broadband network for rural towns across the country including Athlone, Mullingar and Longford.