Senator Maria Byrne

I appreciate the opportunity to speak on this issue, which is of intense interest and importance to every citizen. An overrun in the HSE budget is nothing new, but this one is disturbing for us all.

Olivia Mitchell TD, has questioned how many other apartment blocks may have similar issues to The Laurels in Dundrum and if they will be discovered and rectified before lives are endangered.

Paudie Coffey has called for the proposed ban on the advertising of cheese during certain children’s programmes to be scrapped. While recognising the need to restrict unhealthy food advertising, Deputy Coffey said cheese should be treated differently as there has been no increase in the consumption of cheese in children or teenagers for the last two decades. He added that the cheese sector is very important to the Irish economy.

Government Seanad Chief Whip Senator Paul Coghlan, has wished the Taoiseach continued success in the on-going negotiations with our European colleagues on a fairer deal on our banking debt, after Mr Kenny appeared before the Seanad

Fine Gael TD for Dublin North, Alan Farrell, has today (Wednesday) welcomed the publication of the Pyrite Report which contains 24 recommendations and provides a roadmap for the next steps required to solve the huge difficulties facing affected homeowners in Fingal, Dublin City, Meath, Kildare and Offaly.

Some European countries have changed policies with regard to children being named on parent's passport.