Patrick O'Donovan, TD

Fine Gael TD for Dublin Fingal Alan Farrell has urged voluntary community groups in Fingal to apply for funding to the Dublin Bus Community Spirit Initiative, which is now seeking applications.

I thank Deputy Tom Fleming for introducing the motion. As with previous speakers, I welcome any measure that will result in an increase in rates of organ donation. The reference to "presumed consent" in the programme for Government opened up a conversation on this issue and it is appropriate that the Chairman of the Joint Committee on Health and Children, Deputy Jerry Buttimer, arranged for a discussion of organ donation to take place in the past two weeks.

To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the extent to which poultry and pig producers have been in a position to comply with animal welfare directives requiring extra housing accommodation for sow and poultry units...

I thank Deputy Tom Fleming for introducing the motion. As with previous speakers, I welcome any measure that will result in an increase in rates of organ donation. The reference to "presumed consent" in the programme for Government opened up a conversation on this issue and it is appropriate that the Chairman of the Joint Committee on Health and Children, Deputy Jerry Buttimer, arranged for a discussion of organ donation to take place in the past two weeks.

Laois Offaly TD Charlie Flanagan has welcomed the request by An Bord Pleanala for the submission of an Environmental Impact Statement by Eirgrid in respect of the proposed substation and overhead lines in Ratheniska.

Basically this is a technical Bill. I had not intended to speak on it but having heard the inexplicable response of the Opposition, I felt compelled to do so.

Fine Gael Dublin South TD, Olivia Mitchell, has today (Wednesday) welcomed the publication of the heads of the Protection of Life during Pregnancy Bill, saying it strikes the right balance between giving medical professionals certainty, while protecting the life of women and the unborn.

Representation to Ag Minister will have direct benefit for Louth farmersFine Gael Louth Senator, Jim D’arcy, has welcomed the extension by the Minister for Agriculture, Simon Coveney TD, of the duration of the Imported Fodder Transport Scheme (IFTS), which he said will have a direct impact on farmers experiencing difficult in the Louth region.

Fine Gael Dublin South Central Deputy, Catherine Byrne, and Deputy Lord Mayor, Cllr Clare Byrne, have this morning (Saturday) welcomed the agreement of a new €35 million deal between Dublin City Council and JC Decaux to extend the Dublin Bike Scheme.