Jerry Buttimer, TD

Fine Gael Cork Senator, Colm Burke, has welcomed the publication of the HSE’s Annual Report and Financial Statements for 2015, which shows that 63,000 people per week attend out-patient clinics. The report outlines how the HSE has responded to the many challenges it faces, in providing a quality health service for all, as well as providing for population growth and increased life expectancy.

Fine Gael TD for Dublin North West, Noel Rock has called for clear action to be taken in relation to the huge rise in bin charges, being imposed by waste companies across the country.

Fine Gael Senator Catherine Noone has called for urgent regulation of the digital marketing of junk food to young teenagers.

Fine Gael TD for Louth, Peter Fitzpatrick, said that additional funding needs to be provided to Dundalk Institute of Technology, as a matter of urgency.

Fine Gael TD for Kildare South, Martin Heydon, has urged mortgage holders to engage with a new public consultation announced by the Central Bank in relation to Loan-to-Value and Loan-to-Income Regulations.

Speaking on the Seanad Order of Business today (Thursday), Fine Gael Dublin Rathdown Senator, Neale Richmond, called on the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Trade, Shane Ross TD, to work with his Northern Ireland Ministerial counterpart, as well as the FAI and IFA, to initiate the creation of an all-Ireland soccer team.

Fine Gael Ireland South MEP, Deirdre Clune, has expressed her shock at estimates from the European Parliament research service showing that there may be as many as 67 million unregistered firearms in the EU.

Fine Gael TD for Limerick, Tom Neville, has said that Limerick local authority mortgage holders are set to benefit from interest rate reductions which will alleviate the burden on hard pressed families.

Fine Gael Kerry Senator, Paul Coghlan, has been elected as Leas- Cathaoirleach of Seanad Éireann by 36 votes to 11.

With a week to go until the people of the UK vote on whether or not to stay within the EU, and with polls extremely tight, Fine Gael Senator Neale Richmond has called on Irish people to get involved in the final stages of the campaign.