Minister for Health, Dr James Reilly, TD, today (2 August 2013) announced the appointment of nine members to the Children’s Hospital Group Board.

In early October, you will be asked whether you think this is the right thing to do, when the Government holds a Referendum to abolish the Seanad. Ireland is the only small country in Europe with two chambers of parliament. In fact Ireland is unusual in the OECD in having a second chamber as it tends to be federal states or countries with large populations that have a bicameral system of parliament.

Fine Gael Waterford Deputy, Paudie Coffey, has welcomed news from the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Simon Coveney TD, that an allocation of €450,000 has been awarded to Dunmore East Harbour under the 2013 Fishery Harbour and Coastal Infrastructure Development Programme. Deputy Coffey said that this funding will allow for the slipway on the West Wharf at Dunmore East Harbour to be widened, therefore improving the facilities at the harbour.

Fine Gael Kildare South TD, Martin Heydon, has today (Thursday) said that it is essential that the future of Newbridge Credit Union is safeguarded in its current building. Deputy Heydon was speaking after the Central Bank issued a statement on the issue this afternoon.

Speech at Glenties.

Fine Gael Waterford Deputy, Paudie Coffey, has welcomed news from the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Simon Coveney TD, that an allocation of €450,000 has been awarded to Dunmore East Harbour under the 2013 Fishery Harbour and Coastal Infrastructure Development Programme. Deputy Coffey said that this funding will allow for the slipway on the West Wharf at Dunmore East Harbour to be widened, therefore improving the facilities at the harbour.

Laois TD Charlie Flanagan has written to the National Transport Authority and Bus Eireann seeking clarification following reports that the X8 route from Portlaoise to Cork is to be removed

Laois TD Charlie Flanagan has welcomed the reduction in fees payable for contractor licences issued by the Private Security Authority. The PSA has to date licensed contractors in the cash in transit, door supervisor, security guarding and installer of security equipment sectors.

Laois/Offaly TD and Fine Gael Chairman Charlie Flanagan has said that the publication of a policy and planning framework to guide An Bord Pleanala when considering wind energy export proposals will ensure that local communities in the Midlands can directly feed into a national policy for wind export.

Health Minister James Reilly TD rejected a media claim today (31 July) that he had forced a hike in the cost of private health insurance by the way in which levies were set for Community Rating.