News & Statements

Minister Shatter announces the appointment of a High Court Judge to review all matters of relevance to issues of controversy and concern relating to GSOC

"I have briefed Cabinet today on developments that have occurred in relation to the GSOC controversy following on from the Committee on Public Service Oversight and Petitions hearing last Wednesday. I have also briefed the Cabinet in relation to further information and documentation received from GSOC and further technical information I have received regarding the alleged surveillance of GSOC.

Pyrite Resolution Board to accept applications from next week – McEntee

Fine Gael Meath East TD, Helen McEntee, has today (Wednesday) said that the Pyrite Resolution Board (PRB) will be in a position to accept applications from next week after, it was announced that the Pyrite Remediation Scheme has been published and the Board’s online application system will go live from 26th February 2014.

St Vincent’s Hospital must make clear statement on pay – Harris

Fine Gael Wicklow TD and member of the Public Accounts Committee, Simon Harris, has today (Wednesday) called on the board of St Vincent’s University Hospital to make an immediate statement on how it intends to bring itself into line with public pay rules. His call comes after it was revealed that St Vincent’s is the only hospital still in breach of public pay policy.

Varadkar accepts Heydon’s proposal for derogation from height restrictions

Fine Gael TD for Kildare South and Chair of Fine Gael’s Internal Agriculture Committee, Martin Heydon, has today (Tuesday) said that he is very pleased that the Minister for Transport, Leo Varadkar TD, has agreed to his proposal to allow a derogation from vehicle height restrictions for the haulage of hay and straw. In response to a question from Deputy Heydon, Minister Varadkar confirmed today that he has asked his officials to draft regulations to allow for a narrow exemption for the haulage of agricultural fodder from the height limits brought in by the 2008 regulations.

Harris calls on Rehab to reveal all senior salaries now – not in 2016

Fine Gael Wicklow TD and member of the Public Accounts Committee, Simon Harris, has today (Tuesday) called on the Rehab board to immediately reveal the pay of all of its senior staff. Deputy Harris added that it is completely unacceptable that Rehab has said that it won’t reveal pay details of top managers until its 2015 accounts are published in 2016.

Health Comm to meet with HSE for update on Section 38 and 39 bodies – Buttimer

Cork South Central Fine Gael TD and Chairperson of the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health and Children, Jerry Buttimer, has confirmed that the Health Committee has requested a meeting with the HSE to receive an update on its review of Section 38 and 39 organisations. Deputy Buttimer said that the HSE review is another move towards greater transparency, which is critical to restore public trust and confidence in such bodies.