Fine Gael Carlow/ Kilkenny TD, Pat Deering, has today (Wednesday) welcomed confirmation from the HSE that they are to extend access to the drug Eculizumab (trading as Soliris), for patients with the conditions Paroxysmal Nocturnal Hemoglobinuria (PNH) and atypical Haemolytic Uraemic (aHUS).

Minister for European Affairs and Data Protection, Dara Murphy - Fine Gael TD for Cork North Central - delivered a keynote address to a seminar on data analytics in Brussels this morning, hosted by Insight - Ireland’s dedicated research centre for this growing area. The centre is a partnership between a number of Irish universities, including UCC, various industry partners, and Science Foundation Ireland. It aims to create a healthier, safer and more productive world by empowering a data-driven society to make better decisions.

Fine Gael Seanad Spokesperson on Justice and Clare Senator, Martin Conway, welcomed the announcement by the Minister for Justice and Equality, Frances Fitzgerald, today (Wednesday) that she intends to proceed with the enactment of legislation to promote mediation as a viable, effective and efficient adjunct to court proceedings.

"As a member of the Oireachtas Cross Party Group on Alcohol and the Oireachtas Committee on Health and Children, I welcome the publication of the Heads of the Public Health (Alcohol) Bill 2015”, says Fine Gael TD for Dublin South Central, Catherine Byrne.

Fine Gael Cork North Central Senator and the Party’s Seanad Spokesperson on Health, Colm Burke, has today (Wednesday) welcomed confirmation from Junior Minister at the Department of Health, Kathleen Lynch TD, that private nursing homes can to be represented on the emergency taskforce for hospital overcrowding. Senator Burke was speaking after he tabled a debate on the matter in the Seanad.

“Rural Ireland is not getting its fair share of new jobs and that needs to change”, says Marcella Corcoran Kennedy, Fine Gael TD for Laois/Offaly and Chairperson of the Oireachtas Jobs Committee.

Fine Gael TD for Dun Laoghaire, Mary Mitchell O’Connor said in the Dáil today (Wednesday) that the Stena Line announcement that they will not be renewing their Dun Laoghaire Harbour contract which expires on April 14th next is an end of an era.

“39 new nurses are to be hired at Naas General Hospital”, says Fine Gael TD for Kildare North, Anthony Lawlor.

Fine Gael Kerry Senator and Seanad Chief Whip, Paul Coghlan, has expressed concern in relation to the shooting down of a young female hen harrier in Co. Kerry. Senator Coghlan was speaking about the matter on the Order of Business in the Seanad today (Tuesday).

Fine Gael TD for Kildare North, Bernard Durkan, has welcomed the announcement of 39 new nursing appointments at Naas General Hospital.