Senator Mary Seery-Kearney

Fine Gael Cork North West, Áine Collins, has welcomed the Government's proposal to streamline the system of State support for micro and small businesses across the country. "The decision to dissolve the existing County Enterprise Boards (CEBs) and to transfer their functions to Enterprise Ireland will make access to State support much easier for SME's and entrepreneurs. "Ease of access to supports is crucial in providing our indigenous businesses with the help they need and to encourage entrepreneurship. We know that 70% of new jobs created will come from new businesses, so having a one-stop- shop facility for businesses to go to will help speed up the process greatly and ensure that there's a consistency in service

At its meeting today, the Government fully reflected on the circumstances of those who where resident in the Bethany Home.

At its meeting today, the Government fully reflected on the circumstances of those who where resident in the Bethany Home.

50% increase in number of spin-outs from publicly-funded research as part of new Government plan.

The Minister for Health, Dr James Reilly TD, today (23 July) announced that he briefed Government on his views on putting closure on the issue of symphysiotomy for the women involved and their families.

Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport Leo Varadkar and Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation Richard Bruton announced today (Tuesday) that the Government has approved the drafting of the Shannon Aviation Services and Miscellaneous Provisions Bill 2013, paving the way for the creation of the new Shannon Group entity.

On the second full day of his investment and trade mission to China and Japan, the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation, Richard Bruton TD, earlier today [Tuesday] announced the opening of a new IDA office in Beijing, which will focus particularly on attracting more investment and jobs in the financial services sector from China to Ireland. IDA already has offices in Shanghai and Shenzhen.

Frances Fitzgerald TD, Minister for Children & Youth Affairs has today announced that the Government has approved the revised Heads and General Scheme of the Children First Bill and has approved the drafting of this legislation by parliamentary counsel.

The Minister for Health, Dr James Reilly TD, today (23 July) announced that he had received Government approval to establish a scheme to compensate those women who were excluded on age grounds alone from the Lourdes Hospital Redress Scheme.

The Minister for Health, Dr James Reilly, has welcomed the publication of a study in the British Medical Journal on the impact of plain packaging of cigarettes in Australia.