John Paul Phelan, TD

Speaking today (Thursday) at European Movement Ireland’s inaugural event of 2014, Minister for European Affairs, Paschal Donohoe TD, said the freedoms set down by the European Union, which allow for the free movement of goods, services, capital and people, enable Ireland to successfully compete on the world stage(see full speech below).

“I am saddened to learn of the liquidation application that came before the courts today in respect of Mount Carmel Hospital. The hospital has provided caring medical and maternity services for many decades with a compassionate and dedicated staff of both doctors and nurses. I believe it has, over the decades, provided a valued service from which patients who not only live locally, but also from across the country, have benefitted.

Minister for European Affairs, Paschal Donohoe TD, has called for democratic dialogue between the Ukrainian Government and Opposition so that an end can be brought to the horrific violence taking place there.

Fine Gael Meath East TD and member of the Oireachtas Health Committee, Regina Doherty TD, has today (Thursday) said representations made to the Committee have made it clear that there is no evidence to suggest that the introduction of plain packaging would increase the rate of cigarette smuggling.

Fine Gael Meath West TD, Damien English, has today (Thursday) said that as Chair of the Oireachtas Jobs Committee he intends to extend an invite to Sean O’Sullivan to discuss the main recommendations of the Report of the Entrepreneurship Forum.

Government aims to better support start-ups - who create two thirds of all new jobs across economy The Report of the Entrepreneurship Forum was launched today (Thursday) by Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation, Richard Bruton TD and Chair of the Forum, entrepreneur and Investor Sean O’ Sullivan together with Minister of State for Small Business John Perry TD.

Fine Gael Limerick TD, Patrick O’Donovan, has today (Thursday) called for penalties to be enforced for the misuse of the Leader’s Allowance. Deputy O’Donovan welcomed the fact that Independent TDs and Senators who receive the Leader’s Allowance will be subject to scrutiny by the Standards in Public Office Commission (SIPO).

Fine Gael Chairman and Laois/Offaly TD, Charlie Flanagan, has today (Thursday) said that stud farms and racehorse training facilities should be designated as ‘noise sensitive properties’ when planning applications are being considered for wind farm developments.

Minister for Transport, Tourism & Sport Leo Varadkar has announced details of the €332.9 million investment programme for 2014 for regional and local roads.

Dublin Senator, Catherine Noone, has today (Thursday) voiced her concerns about the continuing practice in Dublin takeaways of mislabelling fish as cod, when it is another fish altogether. Senator Noone was speaking after a survey showed that 41% of fish labelled cod was another species.