Fine Gael Sligo Leitrim Senator and Seanad Spokesperson on Agriculture Michael Comiskey today (Tuesday) welcomed confirmation that €1.9 billion in national funding would be available to add to €2.2billion of EU funding in order to design a new rural development programme for the period 2014 – 2020. This funding forms part of the overall €12.5 billion in Common Agricultural Policy and exchequer funding to the agricultural sector under the new CAP programme.

Fine Gael Clare TD, Joe Carey, has today (Saturday) said that Clare County Council’s estimate that the recent storms have caused more than €23 million in damage to the Clare coastline highlights the need for the Irish Government to access EU funding for the clean-up operation.

Fine Gael TD for Kildare North, Anthony Lawlor, has today (Monday) said that he is very pleased that his proposal to make it an offence to clock a car is being adopted by the Minister for Transport, Leo Varadkar TD, through an amendment to the Road Traffic (No. 2) Bill 2013. The amendment to the Bill, which is due to be tabled this week in the Dáil, will make it an offence to interfere with the odometer of a vehicle.

Fine Gael Carlow/Kilkenny TD, Pat Deering, has today (Saturday) welcomed the fact that just under €59,000 in funding has been awarded by the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport to allow Carlow County Council to provide a new skateboard park in Tullow Town.

Fine Gael Wicklow TD and member of the Public Accounts Committee (PAC), Simon Harris, has today (Saturday) stated that the fact that Irish Water has agreed to appear before the Environment Committee does not preclude the semi State company from also coming before the PAC.

Fine Gael Cork North Central TD, Dara Murphy, has today (Monday) warmly welcomed the news that the Irish Open is to return to Cork for the first time in 12 years, thus providing a welcome boost to the local economy. It has been confirmed that the Fota Island Resort will become an official sponsor as well as the host venue of this year’s Open on June 19th-22nd.

Fine Gael Wicklow TD and member of the Public Accounts Committee (PAC), Simon Harris, has this evening (Monday) said he is pleased that representatives from Irish Water are to appear before the PAC this Wednesday to discuss how public money has been spent in setting up the new semi State body.

To ask the Minister for Education and Skills in the context of meeting the requirements as set out by the school authorities at Maynooth Post Primary School, County Kildare...

The Minister for Children and Youth Affairs, Frances Fitzgerald TD, today (31 December, 2013) announced that the Child and Family Agency will commence operation with effect from 1 January, 2014.

I am disappointed that the talks chaired by Dr. Richard Haass have concluded without reaching agreement.