Fine Gael Senator Regina Doherty has called for additional supports for businesses not covered by the Covid-19 Restrictions Support Scheme.

A Facebook group advocating for the spontaneous re-opening of Irish businesses on Saturday is highly irresponsible and dangerous, a Fine Gael Senator has said.

A Fine Gael Senator has called for representatives from the insurance industry to come before the Oireachtas Finance Committee to explain why life assurance applicants are being asked if they have had Covid-19.

The building of homes must be prioritised whenever it is safe to begin reopening the construction sector, a Fine Gael Senator has said.

The Stay and Spend Scheme should be extended beyond April this year so that consumers and businesses can avail of it later in the year with any easing of restrictions, a Fine Gael Senator has said.

The Government has today approved the drafting of legislation for the new role of a directly elected mayor for Limerick City and County with executive functions (responsibilities). The Minister of State for Local Government and Planning, Peter Burke, today confirmed that the legislation required to enable the first election for a directly elected mayor will be advanced as quickly as possible, with the aim of an election taking place before the end of 2021. As the role is due to come into existence in the middle of the local government electoral cycle the first mayoral term will run until the local elections of 2029.

The Department of Health should consider updating guidance on Vitamin D supplements after experts suggested it can reduce the severity of infection from Covid-19, a Fine Gael TD has said.

An Tánaiste and Leader of Fine Gael, Leo Varadkar has paid tribute to Tom Mulhall who is retiring after over a decade representing the people of Laois, and more recently some communities in West Kildare, as a member of Laois County Council.

Five years ago, there were as few as 26 female apprentices. Today, we are marking 1,000 female apprentices.

 There is a clear need to regulate fake and automated social media accounts in the context of political campaigning, a Fine Gael TD has said. Deputy Emer Higgins, is the Fine Gael Spokesperson on Social Media & Fintech, and was speaking after the commencement of pre-legislative scrutiny on the Electoral Reform Bill this week.