Patrick O'Donovan, TD

Fine Gael Cork South West TD, Noel Harrington, has today (Thursday) welcomed the announcement that the islands are set to benefit from the Rural Development Programme (RDP) outlined by Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Simon Coveney TD. The RDP is now being sent to the European Commission for approval.

Fine Gael Donegal TD, Joe McHugh, has called for lead in times for commonages ahead of the new Rural Development Programme which is being sent to the European Commission for approval.

Fine Gael Meath East TD, Helen McEntee has urged the Minister for Health, James Reilly TD, to extend the BreastCheck programme to include women aged 65-69 years old, which is a commitment contained in the Programme for Government. Deputy McEntee raised the issue with the Minister during a Topical Issue in the Dáil this week.

Mr. Charlie Flanagan T.D., Minister for Children and Youth Affairs, today announced that he has issued the first Performance Framework for the consideration of the Child and Family Agency, Tusla.

Phil Hogan, T.D., Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government today (3 April, 2014) announced improvements to the Seniors Alert Scheme. The improvements are designed to facilitate greater community support and improved security for the elderly and are scheduled to come into effect in 2015.

Speaking after his attendance this morning (Thursday) at the launch of the ‘Right to Read’ campaign at Charleville Mall Library in the North Strand, Fine Gael Dublin Central TD and Minister for European Affairs, Paschal Donohoe, said the inability to read properly, or at all, still hinders far too many of our people who are prevented from reaching their full potential as a result.

Chancellor Merkel, Dr Lauk, Dr Winterkorn, ladies and gentlemen, I am very happy to be back in Berlin today and am delighted to join you for this opening session of your economic conference.

Today (Tuesday), Charlie Flanagan TD, Minister for Children and Youth Affairs briefed Cabinet on the interim report of the Cross Departmental Review Committee. The Committee, comprised of senior officials from eight government departments and a number of State agencies, was asked to scope the issues relevant to a Commission of Investigation into Mother and Baby Homes and to report by the end of June.

To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will communicate his disagreement with the World Health Organisation proposal which excludes universal access to reproductive health (currently MDG 5B) from its submission for a new health goal for the post 2015 framework; if he will further request that this vital health right is included in the final WHO proposal; and if he will make a statement on the matter?

To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if he is satisfied in regard to the adequacy of child protection legislation...