Senator Mary Seery-Kearney

Fine Gael TD for Mayo, Michelle Mulherin, has said that the inclusion of a patient representative on the new Cancer Strategy Steering Group is the correct decision as the views of patients should be central to the new strategy. Deputy Mulherin received confirmation of the inclusion of a patient representative from the Minister for Health, Leo Varadkar.

I welcome clarification that enhanced maternity services are to continue at Portlaoise Hospital. I welcome the ongoing engagement with staff by Dublin- Midland Hospital Group CEO, Dr. Susan O’Reilly, in the aftermath of recent reports relating to the Hospital.

Fine Gael Waterford Minister Paudie Coffey has welcomed the news that Waterford has retained its four blue flags for coastal beaches in the County.

Fine Gael Waterford Minister Paudie Coffey has welcomed news that the Minister for Agriculture, Food and The Marine Simon Coveney TD has signed the contract for the dredging of Dunmore East Harbour for 2015. Minister Coffey said this is positive news and it is now expected works will begin in July with most of the work completed by September.

Waterford Fine Gael Minister of State for Housing & Planning, Paudie Coffey TD has today announced €2.5 million worth of housing investment for Waterford City and County.

I welcome the opportunity to speak on the report from the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Public Service Oversight and Petitions. I thank the committee for the report and congratulate it on the speed of its work. The report is comprehensive and all of us agree it is necessary.

“East Coast Bakery will bring 100 new jobs to the Donore Road Business Park in Drogheda providing a huge boost to the local area” says Fergus O’Dowd, Fine Gael TD for Louth.

“CSO data has confirmed that 459 deaths by suicide were registered in 2014, compared to 475 in 2013. A reduction of any kind is to be welcomed, but very cautiously”, says Dan Neville, founder of the Irish Association of Suicidology, Fine Gael Party Chairperson and TD for Limerick.

Fine Gael TD for Cavan/Monaghan, Sean Conlan has welcomed the launch of a €320 million investment package for the Border, Midland and Western Region backed by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF).

Fine Gael TD for Wexford and Chairman of the Oireachtas Finance Committee, Liam Twomey, said today (Friday) the Minister for Finance, Michael Noonan, is to begin a public consultation on the tax barriers facing small business and entrepreneurs. The tax treatment of small businesses and the self-employed isone of the key concerns highlighted during Fine Gael’s Standing up for Small Business campaign.