Fine Gael Senator and the Party’s candidate in the upcoming Dublin South-West bye-election, Cáit Keane, has said that the first UN World Day Against Trafficking, which takes place today (Wednesday), highlights the need for cross border action on what is essentially modern day slavery. Senator Keane has also urged the Government to publish second National Action Plan to Prevent and Combat the Trafficking of Human Beings, which is currently being prepared by the Department of Justice.

The Minister for Justice and Equality, Frances Fitzgerald TD, today announced the commencement of the open recruitment process for the post of Garda Commissioner.

Fine Gael TD for Roscommon/South Leitrim, Frank Feighan, has welcomed the start of construction of the €6 million Endoscopy Unit at Roscommon County Hospital, one of three projects worth a total of €20 million for the hospital.

Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport and local Dublin Central TD, Paschal Donohoe, has today (Tuesday) called on local construction companies and tradespeople to attend an information and networking event designed to connect local suppliers and the consortia that have been shortlisted for the next stage of the development of the DIT Grangegorman campus.

Fine Gael TD and Chair of the Oireachtas Committee on Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation, Marcella Corcoran Kennedy has, today (Tuesday) criticised Fianna Fáil’s politically motivated and disingenuous comments about jobs in the midlands.

Fine Gael Party Chairperson, and President of the Irish Association of Suicidology, Dan Neville TD, speaking in the Dáil on disability services, called for action against the stigma associated with mental illness.

Fine Gael Limerick TD, Patrick O’Donovan, has commended the Minister for Justice, Frances Fitzgerald TD, on the publication in full of the Independent Review Group on the Department of Justice.

Fine Gael TD for Dun Laoghaire, Mary Mitchell O’Connor has welcomed the allocation of over €1 million from the Better Energy Communities Programme to improve Dun Laoghaire amenities.

Fine Gael TD for Kerry, Brendan Griffin has, today (Tuesday), welcomed the allocation of over €1 million from the Better Energy Communities Programme to implement energy efficiency measures.

Fine Gael TD for Wicklow/East Carlow, Andrew Doyle, has welcomed Bank of Ireland's announcement of a new €1 billion fund to support the ongoing development of the agri-food sector up to the end of 2017.