Fine Gael TD for Laois/Offaly and Member of the Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality, Marcella Corcoran Kennedy, has called for the criminalisation of domestic violence. Deputy Corcoran Kennedy was speaking today at the launch of the Committee’s report on domestic and sexual violence.

Fine Gael MEP, Brian Hayes, today (Thursday), said that new EU proposals aimed at slashing administrative red tape could save up to €41 billion annually for businesses.

Fine Gael TD for Louth, Peter Fitzpatrick, has welcomed the directive issued by the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, Paschal Donohoe TD, requiring all local authorities to examine speed limits in residential areas and housing estates.

I welcome the commencement of the political talks in Stormont this morning. The Government will be represented by the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Charlie Flanagan T.D.

Fine Gael TD for Cavan/Monaghan, Joe O’Reilly, has today (Wednesday), encouraged all farmers to apply for a Farm Safety Scheme grant and to use the funds to address the very important issue of farm safety.

Fine Gael TD for Dublin Fingal, Alan Farrell, has today (Tuesday) commended the Minister for Sport, Michael Ring TD on the allocation of €29.1 million for the Sports Capital Programme announced in Budget 2015. This is in addition to the €80m this Government has already allocated to the Sports Capital Programme, a scheme Fianna Fáil abolished and we restored.

Fine Gael Senator for Louth, Jim D’Arcy has welcomed the news that €88 million is to be invested in education and that 1,700 new full time posts are to be created.

Fine Gael TD for Cork South Central and Chairperson of the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Health and Children, Jerry Buttimer, has said the first budget since 2009 which does not cut the health budget offers an opportunity to stabilise the delivery of services and refocus reform.

Fine Gael Senator for Clare and the Party's Seanad Spokesperson on Justice, Disability and Equality, Martin Conway, has today (Tuesday), welcomed the commencement by the Government Reform Unit of the Department of Public Expenditure of the Statute Law Revision Programme.

Government Chief Whip, Minister Paul Kehoe TD, is pleased that there will be heavy investment in the area of Justice specifically recruitment of Gardaí, the purchase of Garda vehicles and a commitment to the of the new Garda divisional Headquarters in Wexford.