"Today in Dáil Éireann Micheál Martin engaged in blatant scaremongering by trying to create the impression that there would be a massive rise in repossessions as a result of the mortgage arrears legislation. In doing this he is deliberately trying to frighten homeowners who are in arrears.

Please note that my clinic times have been updated and will take affect from 1st March 2013, as advertised in the Fingal Independent and the North County Leader.

Fine Gael TD for Roscommon/South Leitrim, Frank Feighan, has welcomed the Government’s appointment of consultancy company, RPS, to help progress a national management plan for bogs affected by the turfcutting ban.

Speaking in Strasbourg, Dublin MEP Gay Mitchell said today (Thursday, 14th March) he will not contest the 2014 European Elections.

Speaking today (Thursday) on the Order of Business, Seanad Government Chief Whip and Fine Gael Senator, Paul Coghlan, said the mortgage arrears plan set out by the Government will put pressure on the banks to deal with those in mortgage arrears and bring peace of mind to homeowners in distress.

Fine Gael Waterford Deputy, Paudie Coffey, has welcomed news that the number of cancelled day-case and in-patient operations have fallen at Waterford Regional Hospital (WRH) by 83%. This is the highest fall of any hospital in the State and is a clear indication of the structural changes that are taking place in the reform of the health system.

Fine Gael Galway West Senator, Fidelma Healy Eames, has called for the Galway West constituency to be renamed ‘Galway West/South Mayo’ in order to provide recognition to the people of South Mayo who will be incorporated into the constituency at the next General Election. Senator Healy Eames has placed a motion on the Seanad order paper, due to be heard by Minister for the Environment, Phil Hogan TD, this week.

On behalf of the Government and the people of Ireland, I offer warm congratulations to Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio on his election as Pope Francis.

Fine Gael Meath West TD and Campaign Manager for the Meath East Bye-Election, Damien English, has today (Thursday) said that Fianna Fáil should stop scaremongering homeowners who are struggling to pay their mortgages.

Frances Fitzgerald, TD, Minister for Children and Youth Affairs, today launched the National Quality Standards for Volunteer-led Youth Groups in St Andrews Resource Centre, Pearse St, Dublin. The Minister also launched an innovative ‘Route Map’ resource to support volunteers and staff.