Ulster Bank has agreed to meet community groups from Raphoe and Ardara to discuss the proposed closure of two bank branches there, Donegal Deputy Joe McHugh said today. Minister McHugh met senior bank officials in Dublin earlier today to protest at the planned closure of the branches which was announced last week.

Donegal Deputy Joe McHugh has welcomed news of a €970,000 in a water mains project investment which will ensure a clean and secure water supply for the 940 people served by the Portnoo Water Supply. “This is an important scheme for Portnoo, Dungloe, Lettermacaward and Naran and is part of a huge investment across Co Donegal. I want to thank Irish Water and their key partners Donegal County Council in progressing the Portnoo Water Supply with a completion in around six or seven months’ time.”

Fine Gael Kildare North TD, Bernard Durkan, has welcomed the designation of Maynooth as a Rent Pressure Zone under the Government’s rental strategy, saying this will protect tenants from unreasonable rent increases.

Prime Minister Theresa May has today, in accordance with Article 50 of the Treaty on European Union, formally notified the European Council of the UK's intention to leave the EU. This means that the two-year exit process has now commenced.

Fine Gael Waterford senator, Paudie Coffey, said a €24,000 Government cash injection for the Waterford City Football in the Community Programme will make soccer even more accessible to local youngsters. 　

Fine Gael Cork senator Tim Lombard has welcomed the commencement of building work on a new addiction treatment centre in Togher.

Minister for Health, Simon Harris and Minister of State, Marcella Corcoran Kennedy today (Wednesday) announced that the legislation for the standardised packaging of tobacco is to come into force in September 2017.

The Government received a detailed briefing from the Tánaiste this morning on the recent revelations regarding the Garda handling of matters relating to Mandatory Alcohol Testing and Fixed Charge Notices.

Mr. Simon Coveney T.D., Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government, together with his colleague, Mr Paschal Donohoe T.D., Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, today (28 March) announced the approval for 34 public infrastructure projects across 15 Local Authority areas.

Fine Gael Dublin Senator, Catherine Noone, has said that changes made to vending machines in some Government Departments to offer healthier options to staff are the way forward, adding that other workplaces, school buildings, and particularly hospitals should follow suit.