Hildegarde Naughton, TD

Fine Gael Meath East TD and member of the Oireachtas Health Committee, Regina Doherty, has today (Tuesday) warmly welcomed the compensation package approved by the Government for survivors of symphysiotomies. Deputy Doherty has been working with the women involved and has been urging the Government to bring closure to the issue.

Fine Gael Seanad spokesperson on European Affairs, Senator Catherine Noone, has welcomed the introduction of reduced roaming charges across the EU, describing it as a good day for consumers and SMEs.

Phil Hogan T.D., Minister for the Environment, Community & Local Government, today announced funding of €8.015m over the coming two years to 55 national community and voluntary organisations.

Frances Fitzgerald TD, Minister for Justice& Equality has today published the Report of the Inquiry into the circumstances surrounding the removal of two Roma children from their families. The Minister committed to full implementation of report recommendations as well as calling for a more dynamic and effective approach to Roma integration in Ireland.

Fine Gael TD for Kildare South Martin Heydon has today (Friday) welcomed the appointment of Minister Simon Coveney as the new Minister for Defence in addition to his role as Minster for Agriculture, Food and the Marine. He follows in the footsteps of his father former Minister Hugh Coveney, who served as Minister for Defence and Minister for the Marine from 1994 to 1995

I wish to inform the House that the President, acting on my advice, has accepted the resignations of Deputy Pat Rabbitte, Deputy Ruairi Quinn, Deputy Eamon Gilmore, Deputy Phil Hogan and Deputy Jimmy Deenihan as members of the Government.

The State is sorry. We regret the pain that they went through. It should not have happened. It just should not. It happened out of a determination to protect children, but that determination got skewed. The best of intentions played out in a distressing manner affecting two children and two families, as highlighted in the report I am publishing today.

Only a few short weeks ago we saw the 40th anniversary of the savage bombings in Dublin and Monaghan and the tragic loss of life and injuries that resulted.

Deputies will recall that the Programme for Government indicated that the necessary steps to create a permanent Court of Appeal would be taken during the lifetime of the Government. On foot of that commitment, a Referendum was held on 4 October 2013 and the proposal to establish a Court of Appeal was agreed to by the people.

Good afternoon everyone. This morning the Tanaiste and I announced a new Cabinet to drive forward our agenda for the economic and social recovery of Ireland. This afternoon we are publishing a new Statement of Priorities for the remaining 21 months of this Government’s term.