Senator Mary Seery-Kearney

Fine Gael Waterford Minister Paudie Coffey has welcomed the announced commencement of advanced payments to farmers under the 2015 Basic Payment Scheme and the Greening Payment.

Fine Gael Kerry Senator and Seanad Chief Whip, Paul Coghlan, has welcomed the progress made by the Minster for Agriculture, Simon Coveney, in introducing new supports for those farming Hen Harrier areas.

Fine Gael TD for Cork East and Chairperson of the Oireachtas Justice Committee, David Stanton has said that further consideration should be given to Justice Committee recommendations to extend Daylight Saving Time by three weeks.

Question No: 101 Ref No: 36885-15 To the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection if she will consider abolishing the waiting period for the JobBridge Scheme, to ensure that all those in receipt of Jobseeker's and wishing to gain experience can do so without delay; if not, the reason; and if she will make a statement on the matter. €“ Anthony Lawlor.

I will be as brief as possible. There are only a couple of points I want to raise I have spoken to the Minister, Deputy Noonan, with regard to how we can broaden out the home improvement scheme. I understand that people can claim back the VAT paid against their income tax.

Question No: 101 Ref No: 36885-15 To the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection if she will consider abolishing the waiting period for the JobBridge Scheme, to ensure that all those in receipt of Jobseeker's and wishing to gain experience can do so without delay; if not, the reason; and if she will make a statement on the matter. €“ Anthony Lawlor.

I will be as brief as possible. There are only a couple of points I want to raise I have spoken to the Minister, Deputy Noonan, with regard to how we can broaden out the home improvement scheme. I understand that people can claim back the VAT paid against their income tax.

Fine Gael Dublin South West Senator, Cáit Keane, has welcomed the passing of the Marriage Equality Bill through the Houses of the Oireachtas.

Speaking in the Dáil today (Thursday), Fine Gael TD for Cork South West, Noel Harrington, has said that all vehicles should be fitted with location tracking devices to help in the fight against crime.

The Minister for European Affairs and Data Protection, Dara Murphy TD, has today (Thursday) been elected a Vice President of the European People’s Party at its Congress in Madrid.