The Stay and Spend Scheme should be extended beyond April this year so that consumers and businesses can avail of it later in the year with any easing of restrictions, a Fine Gael Senator has said.

The Government has today approved the drafting of legislation for the new role of a directly elected mayor for Limerick City and County with executive functions (responsibilities). The Minister of State for Local Government and Planning, Peter Burke, today confirmed that the legislation required to enable the first election for a directly elected mayor will be advanced as quickly as possible, with the aim of an election taking place before the end of 2021. As the role is due to come into existence in the middle of the local government electoral cycle the first mayoral term will run until the local elections of 2029.

The Department of Health should consider updating guidance on Vitamin D supplements after experts suggested it can reduce the severity of infection from Covid-19, a Fine Gael TD has said.

An Tánaiste and Leader of Fine Gael, Leo Varadkar has paid tribute to Tom Mulhall who is retiring after over a decade representing the people of Laois, and more recently some communities in West Kildare, as a member of Laois County Council.

Five years ago, there were as few as 26 female apprentices. Today, we are marking 1,000 female apprentices.

 There is a clear need to regulate fake and automated social media accounts in the context of political campaigning, a Fine Gael TD has said. Deputy Emer Higgins, is the Fine Gael Spokesperson on Social Media & Fintech, and was speaking after the commencement of pre-legislative scrutiny on the Electoral Reform Bill this week.

A Government public awareness campaign is needed to highlight additional customs charges affecting many online shoppers when ordering from UK-based websites according to Fine Gael TD and party spokesman on European Affairs, Neale Richmond.

Irish law must meet the challenges presented by new forms of human trafficking, a Fine Gael Senator has said. Barry Ward, who is Fine Gael’s Seanad Justice spokesperson, is calling for increased discretion for judges in the sentencing of criminals engaging in human trafficking.

Fine Gael Seanad Spokesperson for Public Expenditure and Reform, Seán Kyne, has said Revenue should extend the deadline for employers seeking to help their workers with tax bills arising from Covid-19 supports, from June to the end of the year.

Engagement with pharmaceutical company GlaxoSmithKline must take place over vaccine trials that were carried out in Mother and Baby Homes, a Fine Gael Senator has said.