It is a great pleasure and a privilege for me to be able to join you here to share in this special day – the day you will be granted Irish citizenship, the first of our citizenship ceremonies in 2014. It is a very important day in the story of your life and it is also an important day for Ireland, as the host nation bestowing this honour on you.

Fine Gael Sligo Leitrim Senator and Seanad Spokesperson on Agriculture Michael Comiskey today (Monday), following the release of statistics by the CSO, indicating that less than 6% of farmers in Ireland are now under 35 years, highlighted measures of the reformed common agriculture programmes aimed at encouraging young farmers into the industry.

Fine Gael Meath East TD, Regina Doherty, has today (Friday) reminded the Fianna Fáil leader of his record on the spending of public funds. Deputy Doherty said that during his time as Minister for Health, Micheál Martin commissioned 145 reports, at a cost of €30 million, and he stood over his Government’s spending of €50 million of taxpayers’ money on e-voting machines which were never used, and more than €220 million on the failed PPARS system.

Fine Gael Meath East TD, Regina Doherty, has today (Friday) reminded the Fianna Fáil leader of his record on the spending of public funds. Deputy Doherty said that during his time as Minister for Health, Micheál Martin commissioned 145 reports, at a cost of €30 million, and he stood over his Government’s spending of €50 million of taxpayers’ money on e-voting machines which were never used, and more than €220 million on the failed PPARS system.

Fine Gael Clare Senator, Martin Conway, has today (Friday) reiterated his call for an urgent response to the unprecedented damage caused to coastal communities around the country. His comments come after Clare County Council estimated that in excess of €23 million euro worth of damage has been caused to the Clare coastline by the recent bad weather.

Fine Gael Clare Senator, Martin Conway, has today (Friday) reiterated his call for an urgent response to the unprecedented damage caused to coastal communities around the country. His comments come after Clare County Council estimated that in excess of €23 million euro worth of damage has been caused to the Clare coastline by the recent bad weather.

Minister for European Affairs, Paschal Donohoe, T.D., today (Thursday) said that continued progress by Albania in the ambitious and encouraging reform process it is undertaking should ensure the granting of candidate status to that country next June.

I am delighted to be here in Albania and to have the opportunity to address you. This forum follows a very productive set of meetings with members of the Government, including Prime Minister Rama, Ministers and members of Parliament and local government. Thank you for the hospitality we have been shown by everyone. I would like to extend special thanks to the EU Delegation and to Ambassador Sequi in particular for their support during our visit.

Fine Gael TD for Wicklow/East Carlow and member of the Public Accounts Committee, Simon Harris, has said that there are still a number of outstanding questions former CRC Chair, Hamilton Goulding needs to answer.