Richard Bruton, TD

Fine Gael Dublin South TD, Olivia Mitchell, has today (Wednesday) welcomed the publication of the heads of the Protection of Life during Pregnancy Bill, saying it strikes the right balance between giving medical professionals certainty, while protecting the life of women and the unborn.

Representation to Ag Minister will have direct benefit for Louth farmersFine Gael Louth Senator, Jim D’arcy, has welcomed the extension by the Minister for Agriculture, Simon Coveney TD, of the duration of the Imported Fodder Transport Scheme (IFTS), which he said will have a direct impact on farmers experiencing difficult in the Louth region.

Fine Gael Dublin South Central Deputy, Catherine Byrne, and Deputy Lord Mayor, Cllr Clare Byrne, have this morning (Saturday) welcomed the agreement of a new €35 million deal between Dublin City Council and JC Decaux to extend the Dublin Bike Scheme.

Frances Fitzgerald TD, Minister for Children and Youth Affairs (DCYA), Ireland and Edwin Poots MLA, Minster for Health Social Services and Public Safety (DHSSPS), Northern Ireland today (Wednesday 1st May 2013) addressed the All Island Conference ‘Improving Child Protection Practice: Making the most of Opportunities and Overcoming Challenges’.

Frances Fitzgerald TD, Minister for Children and Youth Affairs (DCYA), Ireland and Edwin Poots MLA, Minster for Health Social Services and Public Safety (DHSSPS), Northern Ireland today (Wednesday 1st May 2013) addressed the All Island Conference ‘Improving Child Protection Practice: Making the most of Opportunities and Overcoming Challenges’.

The Government last night approved the heads of a bill to protect life during pregnancy which will be referred to the Oireachtas Committee on Health and Children for debate and consideration, after which a bill will be drafted.

I thank Deputy Tom Fleming for introducing the motion. As with previous speakers, I welcome any measure that will result in an increase in rates of organ donation. The reference to "presumed consent" in the programme for Government opened up a conversation on this issue and it is appropriate that the Chairman of the Joint Committee on Health and Children, Deputy Jerry Buttimer, arranged for a discussion of organ donation to take place in the past two weeks.

Dáil speech on Organ Donation.