I fully support efforts by the Minister in particular to stamp out smoking. Unlike others, I accept the evidence that smoking really does kill and before it kills one, it makes one very unhealthy and it greatly reduces one's quality of life

Fine Gael Cork North Central TD, Dara Murphy, has said that he has been in touch with the GAA in Cork, who have confirmed that Páirc Uí Chaoimh is available to host the Garth Brooks concerts which have been cancelled in Dublin after Dublin City Council refused to grant licences for two out of the five planned gigs.

Fine Gael Dublin Central TD and Minister for European Affairs, Paschal Donohoe TD, has today (Thursday) welcomed the announcement of €105,059 in funding which has been allocated to sporting clubs and organisations in the Dublin Central area through the Sports Capital Programme.

Fine Gael Cork South West TD, Noel Harrington, has today (Thursday) welcomed the announcement that the islands are set to benefit from the Rural Development Programme (RDP) outlined by Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Simon Coveney TD. The RDP is now being sent to the European Commission for approval.

Fine Gael Donegal TD, Joe McHugh, has called for lead in times for commonages ahead of the new Rural Development Programme which is being sent to the European Commission for approval.

Fine Gael Meath East TD, Helen McEntee has urged the Minister for Health, James Reilly TD, to extend the BreastCheck programme to include women aged 65-69 years old, which is a commitment contained in the Programme for Government. Deputy McEntee raised the issue with the Minister during a Topical Issue in the Dáil this week.

Mr. Charlie Flanagan T.D., Minister for Children and Youth Affairs, today announced that he has issued the first Performance Framework for the consideration of the Child and Family Agency, Tusla.

Phil Hogan, T.D., Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government today (3 April, 2014) announced improvements to the Seniors Alert Scheme. The improvements are designed to facilitate greater community support and improved security for the elderly and are scheduled to come into effect in 2015.

Speaking after his attendance this morning (Thursday) at the launch of the ‘Right to Read’ campaign at Charleville Mall Library in the North Strand, Fine Gael Dublin Central TD and Minister for European Affairs, Paschal Donohoe, said the inability to read properly, or at all, still hinders far too many of our people who are prevented from reaching their full potential as a result.

Chancellor Merkel, Dr Lauk, Dr Winterkorn, ladies and gentlemen, I am very happy to be back in Berlin today and am delighted to join you for this opening session of your economic conference.