To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans to reopen the opportunity for local authorities to apply for funding for municipal swimming pools; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Fine Gael Ireland South MEP and member of the EU transport committee, Deirdre Clune, has backed calls for the use of Intelligent Speed Assistance technology to be made standard in new cars on the back of a Irish road safety report that revealed that one in five drivers sees breaking 100km/h speed limits as acceptable.

“The economic recovery is beginning to be felt by more families and businesses across the country as sales of vehicles increased again in October”, says Fine Gael TD for Kerry and Member of the Oireachtas Transport Committee, Brendan Griffin.

Dublin Senator and Fine Gael candidate for Dublin West, Catherine Noone, has called on Dublin hotels to come together and sign a pledge that commits them to providing good value for money. This would be particularly relevant when it comes to major events, such as matches and concerts.

I welcome the opportunity to discuss this year's adjustment to the risk equalisation scheme because it is not a secret that I have always been uneasy about the operation of such a scheme and its impact in terms of cost to health insurance customers, and its impact on competition generally.

We are restoring the public finances, rebuilding our broken banking system and creating the environment to grow jobs. We are now budgeting for growth.

Fine Gael Sligo Leitrim Senator, Michael Comiskey, has warmly welcomed progress in relation to funding and upgrading of the N16. Senator Comiskey understands from contact with Transport Infrastructure Ireland (formally the NRA), that contracts for Phase 2 of the Cornalcoy section of road will be signed before Christmas, with work to commence early in the New Year.

To ask the Minister for Finance if the proceeds from the sale of shares in Allied Irish Bankss can be better utilised for capital projects rather than to reduct the State’s debt; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

To ask the Minister for Health how he will respond to the recent campaign by physiotherapists to have a common register with physical therapists; and if he will make a statement on the matter?

To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection if she will provide details of training courses available for unemployed persons who had been self-employed and now wish to upskill; her views that every opportunity should be provided to all persons wishing to upskill in order to re-enter the workforce; if there are plans to allow greater access to training courses to all unemployed persons, irrespective of their previous occupation; and if she will make a statement on the matter.