Speaking on the Seanad Order of Business today (Thursday), Fine Gael Dublin Rathdown Senator, Neale Richmond, called on the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Trade, Shane Ross TD, to work with his Northern Ireland Ministerial counterpart, as well as the FAI and IFA, to initiate the creation of an all-Ireland soccer team.

Fine Gael Ireland South MEP, Deirdre Clune, has expressed her shock at estimates from the European Parliament research service showing that there may be as many as 67 million unregistered firearms in the EU.

Fine Gael TD for Limerick, Tom Neville, has said that Limerick local authority mortgage holders are set to benefit from interest rate reductions which will alleviate the burden on hard pressed families.

Fine Gael Kerry Senator, Paul Coghlan, has been elected as Leas- Cathaoirleach of Seanad Éireann by 36 votes to 11.

With a week to go until the people of the UK vote on whether or not to stay within the EU, and with polls extremely tight, Fine Gael Senator Neale Richmond has called on Irish people to get involved in the final stages of the campaign.

Fine Gael TD for Louth, Fergus O’Dowd, said that the decision to reduce the interest rate for Local Authority mortgage holders in Louth, from the 1st of July, will come as very welcome news.

Fine Gael TD for Dublin Rathdown, Josepha Madigan, has called for unused legislation to allow greater international cooperation in the fight against crime, to be utilised.

Fine Gael TD for Louth, Peter Fitzpatrick, said that the age restrictions need to be lifted at the Minor Injuries Unit at Louth County Hospital to allow children to be treated at the hospital.

Jim Daly, Cork South West Fine Gael TD, has said that Cork County Council is making significant progress with his ‘West Cork Way’ proposal, and he is confident that the next steps will see the development of the route come to fruition.

Fine Gael TD for Dublin Rathdown, and Mount Merrion resident, Josepha Madigan, has condemned proposals to develop a 15,000 sqm retail, car park and residential development at Wilson Road and Deerpark Road in Mount Merrion.