News & Statements
Government approves method for the return of medical cards lost in discretionary review
The Government has today approved the method by which medical cards awarded by way of discretion can be returned to persons with serious medical conditions who lost them having completed an eligibility review. The decision covers the period from the 1st of July 2011 till the 31st of May 2014.
New joint visa initiative will help attract business investment from China and India – English
Fine Gael Meath West TD and Chairman of the Oireachtas Jobs Committee, Damien English, has welcomed the launch of a new joint visa initiative between Ireland and the UK which will allow visitors from China and India to travel freely between the two countries on a single visa.
No reduction of SNAs in school system
Fine Gael TD and Member of the Oireachtas Committee on Health and Children, Peter Fitzpatrick, today (Tuesday) welcomed reassurances from the Minister for Education and Skills that there will be no reduction of Special Needs Assistance (SNA) posts in the school system.
Pipeline of ambitious entrepreneurs will fuel our economic recovery – Harris
Fine Gael Wicklow TD and member of the Oireachtas Finance Committee, Simon Harris, has today (Tuesday) welcomed the publication of the Global Entrepreneurship Monitor (GEM) Report for Ireland for 2013, saying that its findings show that a pipeline of ambitious entrepreneurs will help to fuel our economic recovery.
Stop scare mongering on social housing – Byrne
Fine Gael Dublin South Central TD, Catherine Byrne, has today (Tuesday) called on members of the opposition to stop scaremongering on the issue of the new Housing Assistance Payment, a scheme designed to replace rent supplement.
Today is a landmark day for child protection in Ireland- Buttimer
Cork South Central Fine Gael TD and Chairperson of the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health and Children, Jerry Buttimer, has welcomed the publication today (Monday) of the Children First Bill 2014, by the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs, Frances Fitzgerald TD. The legislation will put the Children First Guidelines on a statutory footing.
Cemeteries regulator needed to ensure the bereaved aren’t ripped off – Doherty
Fine Gael Meath East TD, Regina Doherty, has today (Friday) supported the call for the establishment of a cemeteries regulator, saying it is necessary to ensure the bereaved are not paying over the odds to bury their deceased loved ones. Deputy Doherty was speaking during the Dáil debate on the Cemetery Management Bill 2013.
Fine Gael withdraws from Dublin City Council negotiations
The Fine Gael group has today (Friday) withdrawn from negotiations over the formation of a ruling coalition for Dublin City Council.
IASS Dispute – Statement by the Expert Panel
On 16 June 2014 the Expert Panel presented their final report on the resolution of the industrial relations issues in The Irish Aviation Superannuation Scheme (“The IASS”) dispute to the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport, the Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Employment, Ibec and Congress.
Independent firearms licensing authority needed – Deering
Fine Gael Carlow TD, Pat Deering, has called for the establishment of an independent firearms licensing authority to ensure greater safety in the purchase of guns. He recently submitted a Parliamentary Question on the matter to Minister for Justice, Frances Fitzgerald TD.