Fine Gael Wicklow and member of the Public Accounts Committee, Simon Harris, has this evening (Monday) welcomed the referral of penalty points allegations to the Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission (GSOC) by the Minister for Justice, Alan Shatter TD.

Fine Gael Cork North West TD, Aine Collins, has today welcomed the launch of a new €30 million research centre being led by the Tyndall National Institute in collaboration with University College Cork (UCC), Cork Institute of Technology (CIT) and Dublin City University (DCU). It’s hoped 200 new jobs can be generated by the centre over the next six years.

The Public Accounts Committee has a vital role to perform in our democracy. So too does An Garda Síochána. It is in no-one's interests that a situation be allowed to develop where either hampers the ability of the other to discharge their proper roles. I have no doubt that the vast majority of members of both have great respect for the work each of these institutions performs.

Fine Gael Cork South Central TD, Jerry Buttimer, has today (Friday) said the announcement that 40 additional jobs are being created at BioMarin Manufacturing in Shanbally, Ringaskiddy is proof of the firm’s major growth potential. A further 65 construction jobs will be created in the next building phase at the facility, which will start in March.

The Minister for Justice & Equality, Mr Alan Shatter TD, today announced that he is seeking expressions of interest from suitably-qualified persons for membership of the Board of the Charities Regulatory Authority.

Speaking today (Thursday) at European Movement Ireland’s inaugural event of 2014, Minister for European Affairs, Paschal Donohoe TD, said the freedoms set down by the European Union, which allow for the free movement of goods, services, capital and people, enable Ireland to successfully compete on the world stage(see full speech below).

“I am saddened to learn of the liquidation application that came before the courts today in respect of Mount Carmel Hospital. The hospital has provided caring medical and maternity services for many decades with a compassionate and dedicated staff of both doctors and nurses. I believe it has, over the decades, provided a valued service from which patients who not only live locally, but also from across the country, have benefitted.

Minister for European Affairs, Paschal Donohoe TD, has called for democratic dialogue between the Ukrainian Government and Opposition so that an end can be brought to the horrific violence taking place there.

Fine Gael Meath East TD and member of the Oireachtas Health Committee, Regina Doherty TD, has today (Thursday) said representations made to the Committee have made it clear that there is no evidence to suggest that the introduction of plain packaging would increase the rate of cigarette smuggling.

Fine Gael Meath West TD, Damien English, has today (Thursday) said that as Chair of the Oireachtas Jobs Committee he intends to extend an invite to Sean O’Sullivan to discuss the main recommendations of the Report of the Entrepreneurship Forum.