Heather Humphreys, TD

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.

Fine Gael Meath East TD and member of the Oireachtas Health Committee, Regina Doherty, has said that representatives of the tobacco industry were deliberately disingenuous during their appearance before the Health Committee earlier today (Thursday).

Minister for Transport, Tourism & Sport Leo Varadkar, TD, has today said that he has been extremely encouraged by Shannon Airport’s start to life as an independent entity.

Fine Gael Waterford Deputy and Vice Chairperson of the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport and Communications, Paudie Coffey, has today (Wednesday) welcomed confirmation that in excess of €1 million is being allocated to address the recent storm damage at Plunkett Station in Waterford. Deputy Coffey added that the funding illustrates the Government’s commitment to helping communities affected by the recent severe weather.

Fine Gael Cork North Central TD, Dara Murphy, has today (Wednesday) welcomed confirmation that €2.8 million is being allocated to repair the roof of Kent Station in Cork, which was severely damaged in the recent bad weather. Deputy Murphy added that the funding underlines the Government’s commitment to helping communities affected by the storms.

Fine Gael Meath East TD, Regina Doherty, has today (Wednesday) welcomed an announcement that a new €20 million fund is being established to help distressed local authority mortgage holders. It will be used to offer the ‘mortgage-to-rent’ solution to local authority mortgage holders who are unable to meet their monthly repayments.

The Government today (11/2/2014) considered a Report on the severe weather that affected Ireland from 13 December 2013 to 6 January 2014. It announced that it has decided that a sum of up to seventy €70 million euro will be made available for a programme of repair and remediation works.