Dublin Senator Catherine Noone today welcomed the announcement by Diageo that Arthur’s Day, the annual event which celebrated the anniversary of Guinness, will not be taking place this year.

The Fine Gael delegation in the European Parliament has secured membership of the most sought-after European Parliament committees, as the new parliamentary term officially began in Strasbourg this week.

Fine Gael Cork North Central TD and Chair of the Party’s Internal European Affair Committee, Dara Murphy, has today (Wednesday) said that Fine Gael’s team of MEPs has secured a number of key positions on European Parliament Committees, ensuring they will have an influential role in the Parliament.

Fine Gael Meath West TD and Chairman of the Oireachtas Jobs Committee, Damien English, has said that the positive Exchequer returns and Live Register figures published today (Wednesday) show that our economic recovery is taking hold.

Government Chief Whip and Kerry Senator Paul Coghlan has today (Wednesday) welcomed the announcement by the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaelteacht, Jimmy Deenihan TD, that a new Rhododendron control intiative will be put in place to bring the invasive species under control in Killarney National Park. Senator Coghlan was speaking on the order of business in the Seanad.

I am pleased to update the House on what was a very significant meeting of the European Council last week. The main outcomes of the Summit were the nomination of Jean Claude Juncker as President of the European Commission, agreement on a strategic agenda for the EU for the coming period and the adoption of strong conclusions on Ukraine.

To ask the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the extent to which air pollution continues to be monitored on an on-going basis throughout the country...

To ask the Minister for Health the extent to which the budget in respect of mental health services in the current year is deemed adequate to meet requirements...

To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the extent to which this country is marketed abroad as a venue for business tourism...

To ask the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the extent to which his Department continues to examine the economic impact of climate change legislation or other proposals which might negatively impact on this economy...