Patrick O'Donovan, TD

Jim Daly, Fine Gael Cork South West TD and Chairman of the Oireachtas Committee on Children and Youth Affairs, has warmly welcomed this week’s finding by the Equality Tribunal that a County Cavan school discriminated against a student for not allowing his assistance dog to accompany him to the classroom. Deputy Daly said that the case highlights the need for an Education Ombudsman to protect students, parents and school staff.

Fine Gael Cork Senator, Tim Lombard, has spoken out against a proposal to close the express lane at the Portlaoise toll plaza on the Cork to Dublin motorway, saying it will not solve the current impasse and will be a huge inconvenience to commuters and businesses.

Fine Gael Dublin Rathdown Senator, Neale Richmond, has today (Tuesday) welcomed the release of new CSO figures showing that net migration amounted to 3,100 in 2016, representing a return to net inward migration for the first time since 2009. Senator Richmond said that this dispels the myth that the drop in the unemployment rate is solely down to emigration.

Fine Gael Cork North Central Senator and Seanad Spokesperson on Health, Colm Burke has made a submission to the Minister for Finance, Michael Noonan, seeking the introduction of income tax relief for Graduate Entry Medical Students to help retain them here in Ireland.

Fine Gael Mayo Senator, Michelle Mulherin, has said that Mayo is to benefit from the newly launched Town and Village Renewal Scheme for Rural Ireland, which aims to revitalise up to 200 towns and villages across the country.

Fine Gael TD for Wicklow and Minister for Food, Forestry and Horticulture, Andrew Doyle has welcomed the news that the state is buying 2,000 hectares of land in the Dublin Mountains, to expand Wicklow Mountains National Park.

Fine Gael Carlow Kilkenny TD, and Chair of the Oireachtas Agriculture Committee, Pat Deering, has said that the Government should consider providing matching funds to supplement a new EU deal worth €11.1 million to Irish farmers.

Seanad Leas Cathaoirleach and Fine Gael Kerry Senator, Paul Coghlan, has said that the Irish tourist industry will continue to thrive despite Britain’s decision to leave the European Union. Speaking during a commencement debate in the Seanad, Senator Coghlan asked the Minister for Tourism, Patrick O’Donovan, to outline the Government’s plans for the domestic tourist industry in light of Brexit.

Fine Gael Senator for Cork North Central and Seanad Spokesperson on Health, Colm Burke, has today (Wednesday) welcomed the new agreement reached between the Government and the Irish Pharmaceutical Healthcare Association (IPHA).

Fine Gael Dublin Rathdown Senator, and Government spokesman on EU Affairs in the Seanad, Neale Richmond, has repeated his call for Ireland to be an alternative host for the rotating Presidency of the Council of the European Union, which was due to be hosted by the UK in July 2017.