Fine Gael Clare Senator and Seanad Spokesperson on Justice, Equality and Disability, Martin Conway, has today (Wednesday) welcomed the announcement by Frances Fitzgerald TD, Minister for Justice and Equality, that an Independent Review Group has been established to undertake a review of the Department of Justice.

Minister for Justice and Equality, Frances Fitzgerald has condemned as barbaric the shooting of a child in Ballyfermot last night.

Mr. Charlie Flanagan T.D., Minister for Children and Youth Affairs, today confirmed that active consideration is being given to the best means of addressing the harrowing details emerging regarding the burial arrangements for children who died many years ago in Mother and Baby Homes and the many questions raised regarding these deaths.

Fine Gael Dublin Senator, Catherine Noone, has today (Wednesday) called for the ‘ban’ on children running in the school yard to be lifted to help tackle the nation’s escalating rates of childhood obesity.

Fine Gael TD for Dublin South Central, Catherine Byrne, has highlighted this week’s opening of the online application process for the Back to School Clothing and Footwear Allowance and encouraged parents to apply now. The application forms are available at www.welfare.ie

Fine Gael TD for Galway East and Minister of State for Training and Skills at the Department of Education, Ciaran Cannon, has called for an urgent inquiry, including a Garda investigation, into the circumstances surrounding the unexplained deaths of a large number of children at a Tuam mother and baby home.

Fine Gael TD for Cavan Monaghan, Seán Conlan TD, has today (Friday), welcomed the news that funding has been allocated for the Patrician High School in Carrickmacross.

Fine Gael Dublin Senator, Catherine Noone, has said that today (Friday) is a great day for consumers and concert goers as a new EU directive comes into effect which will ban credit card surcharges and hidden fees.

Fine Gael TD for Kildare South Martin Heydon, has today (Friday) welcomed the fact that the new Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) to be administered by Local Authorities will be paid directly to landlords by the Councils. He was speaking after the Housing Miscellaneous Bill 2014 made its way through the Dáil this week.