Patrick O'Donovan, TD

The Minister for Justice, Equality and Defence, Alan Shatter, TD, would like to remind the general public that “summer time” will commence at 1.00 a.m. Greenwich Mean Time on Sunday 30 March 2014. Clocks and watches should be put forward one hour at that time.

Fine Gael Cork South Central TD, Jerry Buttimer, a GAA member, former club chairman and former member of the GAA marketing committee, has called on the GAA to ensure that any televised inter-county championship fixtures are available free-to-air on the island of Ireland. Deputy Buttimer was responding to reports that the GAA is in advanced negotiations with a subscription sports channel and he has communicated his concerns in writing to the GAA.

With our clocks due to go forward this weekend, Fine Gael Cork East TD, David Stanton, has said that serious consideration should be given to extending summertime all year round.

To ask the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation when the new regional aid map for Ireland will be submitted to the European Commission; if he will confirm that the south east region which has the highest unemployment rate in the State will be given additional supports in the new regional aid programme 2014-2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Fine Gael Kerry Senator and Seanad Chief Whip, Paul Coghlan, has warmly welcomed the announcement by the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaelteacht, Jimmy Deenihan, of the awarding of a €1.1 million contract to allow for the latest phase of the restoration of Killarney House and Gardens.

Some of you here this evening, assembled in his honour, knew him and loved him. So, I speak to you with some anxiety, anxious to do the man, the husband, the father and the friend justice in this inaugural lecture in his name.

New CSO figures out today show very strong growth in revenue from overseas visitors last year and confirm that tourism is playing a significant role in Ireland’s economic recovery, according to Minister for Transport, Tourism & Sport Leo Varadkar.

Speaking following the launch this morning (Tuesday) of Eurofound's Third European Quality of Life Survey Report, ‘The Social Situation of Young People in Europe’, Minister for European Affairs, Paschal Donohoe TD, said the key to ensuring a better future for our young people is to provide the best means of upskilling, retraining and employment opportunities for them.

Fine Gael European Election Candidate for Ireland South and member of the Public Accounts Committee, Simon Harris TD, has today (Thursday) said that while the resignation of Nicolas Jermyn from St Vincent’s Public Hospital is welcome, there are still a number of outstanding issues for the hospital to address.

At the outset, I believe that it is important to note that the Fixed Charge Notice and penalty points system has operated extremely well since its introduction in 2002, and has enjoyed wide public support. This is evidenced by the fact that over 70% of those who receive a fixed charge notice pay it within 28 days. The system plays a very important role in enhancing road safety, but it is essential that the system is applied equally and without favour to all road users, and that it is seen to be so.