I, too, welcome this Finance Bill. I have been speaking on Finance Bills in one way or another since I was first elected to the council in 1998. In those days I was dealing with the finances of the local authority. Here we deal with the finances of the nation.

Fine Gael TD for Laois/Offaly, Marcella Corcoran Kennedy, has said that Ireland’s signing of the Istanbul Convention reaffirms this Government’s commitment to implementing a zero tolerance attitude to violence against women.

Fine Gael TD for Meath East, Regina Doherty, has said that Ireland’s signature of the Istanbul Convention is a very significant step forward. The Council of Europe Convention is focused on preventing and combating violence against women and domestic violence.

This week, Fine Gael Senator for Kerry, Tom Sheahan, has urged the Minister for Finance, Michael Noonan TD to introduce PMCs to all people with Down Syndrome.

Thomasina Connell will represent the party in the Laois Constituency in the forth-coming General Election, along with Minister for Foreign Affairs, Charlie Flanagan TD.

Fine Gael Waterford Minister Paudie Coffey said that primary schools in Waterford are to benefit from funding to upgrade school buildings and improve facilities for students and teachers.

Fine Gael Waterford Minister Paudie Coffey has called on Bank of Ireland to reconsider its new customer policy of only allowing withdrawals of more than €700 with tellers. Minister Coffey said that this policy should be looked at again and a practical approach should be taken, in particular for rural & elderly customers where branches exist.

Anthony Lawlor, Fine Gael TD for Kildare North, is again urging EU officials to abolish the 23% VAT service rate on eBooks in order to encourage greater use of iPads and electronic devices in school.

To ask the Minister for Health his plans to introduce a national organ donor registry; his plans to increase the level of organ donation; and if he will make a statement on the matter?

To ask the Minister for Health if the review undertaken by the Health Service Executive to ensure compliance with legislation governing the minimum hourly rate for trainee nurses has been completed; if it is envisaged that this might result in a change in their hourly pay rates; and if he will make a statement on the matter?