The Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation, Mr Richard Bruton TD, today (Friday) said that the CSO goods exports figures show a remarkably robust performance by Irish exporters given everything that is happening in world markets.

Fine Gael Carlow TD, Pat Deering, has today (Tuesday) said a new revitalisation plan for Carlow will boost business opportunities and job creation in the town. The ‘Carlow Town Team Revitalisation Programme’, which has been launched this morning by the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation, Richard Bruton TD, features seven key supports with an investment of over €130,000.

Commissioner Martin Callinan, Assistant Commissioner Fintan Fanning, Deputies Noel Coonan, Alan Kelly and Michael Lowry, Mayor of Templemore Martin Fogary, distinguished guests, members of An Garda Síochána past and present, ladies and gentlemen.

I am very happy to have the opportunity to speak on this legislation, which I support. It has four main planks. The first and second planks are broadly the ban on salon sunbed use for children under 18 years of age and the prohibition on the sale and hire of sunbeds to children under 18 years of age. The third plank is mainly about regulation, registration, supervision, improved standards and inspection, which is very important in terms of ensuring eye protection is provided and so on. The fourth plank is about a health information campaign.

Fine Gael TD for Roscommon/South Leitrim, Frank Feighan, has welcomed the news that global biopharma company, Alexion, is set to create 40 jobs following its acquisition of a facility at Monksland, Co Roscommon.

Fine Gael TD for Wicklow and member of the Oireachtas Finance Committee, Simon Harris, has today (Thursday) said that legislation published by Fianna Fáil prompted by the sale of the Irish Nationwide loanbook is legally unsound and could leave the State open to significant costs.

Leading for the Government in a debate on political reform in the Seanad, Fine Gael Kerry Senator and Seanad Chief Whip, Paul Coghlan, said that this Government has delivered more political reform during its three years in office than any other in the history of the State.

The Minister for Children and Youth Affairs, Frances Fitzgerald TD and Minister for Justice and Equality, Alan Shatter TD, today welcomed the publication of the Youth Justice Action Plan 2014- 2018.

Minister Fitzgerald: “Online drinking craze is only a symptom – let’s tackle the cause.”

Fine Gael Cork Senator, Deirdre Clune, has today (Thursday) added her voice to the Safefood campaign to remove sugary treats from all supermarket checkouts in the country. CEOs of Aldi Ireland, Dunnes Stores, Lidl Ireland, Musgraves Group and Tesco Ireland have recently been approached by Safefood and asked to support the proposed ban.