Simon Coveney, TD

Fine Gael Senator for Dublin, Catherine Noone, has today (Thursday) called for sugar levels in treats and fizzy drinks to be capped at 20%. Senator Noone proposed the measure following a World Health Organisation recommendation that no more than 6 teaspoons of sugar should be consumed in 24 hours.

A Cheann Comhairle I welcome the opportunity in the House today to give my response to the report by Mr. Seán Guerin of his review of the action taken by An Garda Síochána pertaining to certain allegations.

I thank the Minister of State for remaining in the House for this matter which willbe of interest to her in her job in housing. I raise the matter because I am increasingly alarmed that we are launching into a period of construction with construction strategies, housing programmes and stimulus packages, and todaythere was an announcement of a strategic investment fund of nearly €7 billion,but that it is all happening in the absence of an overarching spatial strategy. Wehad a national spatial strategy from 2002, but it has largely been abandoned. The only one paying any attention to it now is An Bord Pleanála.

To ask the Minister for Health if there has been a policy change to no longer provide residential care for children with intellectual disabilities; and if he will make a statement on the matter?

To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he has communicated to their Embassy here, the Irish government's unhappiness at the negligible response from the Nigerian Government to the abduction of 200 school girls and their possible subsequent sale; and if he will make a statement on the matter?

To ask the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government his plans to review the current motor taxation system in view of the fact that there are many more efficient cars on the road now than when the system was introduced and of the penalising effect on those who cannot afford to upgrade their cars to newer models; and if he will make a statement on the matter?

To ask the Minister for Health the number of the 80 additional therapy staff that have been recruited this year as part of the progressing disability services for children and young people programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter?

Fine Gael TD for Meath East Regina Doherty, has today (Wednesday) welcomed the announcement of further funding for the pyrite remediation scheme by Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government, Phil Hogan TD.

Fine Gael Meath East TD, Helen McEntee, has today (Wednesday) welcomed the announcement that the Minister for the Environment, Phil Hogan TD, has approved further funding for the pyrite remediation scheme, saying it shows that the Government is keeping its promise to address the pyrite problem.

The Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Simon Coveney T.D. today announced a package of measures to develop the inshore fisheries sector. The package is targeted at the inshore fishing sector and consists of three parts including...