Senator Garret Ahearn

“We now have five months to plan for the marriage equality referendum and what will hopefully be a landmark day for social equality in this country”, says Fine Gael Cork South Central TD Jerry Buttimer. Deputy Buttimer was speaking after the announcement that the marriage equality referendum will take place next May.

Fine Gael Cork North Central Senator, Colm Burke, has welcomed the news that a new drug, Selincro Nalmefene, is to be made available here to treat alcohol dependency.

Frances Fitzgerald T.D., Minister for Justice and Equality, today welcomed the Government’s approval of her proposals to hold a referendum on Marriage Equality in May.

Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Charlie Flanagan, TD, today condemned the attack on a school in Pakistan and expressed his condolences to the families of victims.

“Another 100 Garda recruits will today (Monday), enter Templemore, joining the 100 who started training earlier this year,” says Áine Collins, Fine Gael Cork North West TD.

Fine Gael Senator for Clare, Martin Conway, has welcomed recent CSO figures showing that Ireland benefited from a significant increase in tourism expenditure in 2014.

Fine Gael Cork South West TD, Noel Harrington, has said that the setting up of a Government backed Business Development Group will secure the future of the Post Office network in Ireland.

Fine Gael TD for Cork South Central and Chairperson of the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health and Children, Jerry Buttimer has confirmed that senior HSE officials will appear before the Committee to discuss the treatment of people with intellectually disabilities in care centres.

Fine Gael TD for Wicklow/ East Carlow, Andrew Doyle, has said that the tax break for microbreweries in Budget 2015 will encourage these small enterprises, which are now becoming both popular and profitable. Deputy Doyle was speaking after opening the Wicklow Brewery at Mickey Finns Pub in Redcross.

Fine Gael TD for Meath, Helen McEntee, has expressed serious concern in response to a HIQA report which has outlined the abuse of residents at the Redwood Extended Care Facility in Stamullen.