Emer Higgins, TD

Minister for Health, Simon Harris today published the Health Products Regulatory Authority’s report Cannabis for Medical Use – A Scientific Review and announced that he has decided to establish a compassionate access programme for cannabis-based treatments.

Fine Gael Louth TD, Fergus O’Dowd, has expressed his sympathies on the sad news that former Fine Gael TD for Louth, Brendan McGahon, has died.

Seanad Leas-Cathaoirleach and Fine Gael Kerry Senator, Paul Coghlan has addressed the problem of illegal dumping saying that stronger measures must be introduced to combat the problem. Senator Coghlan has suggested the idea of a website that would publicly list offenders who ignore or fail to pay their court fines for illegal dumping.

I wish to convey my condolences to the family of former Louth Fine Gael TD, Brendan McGahon, who has sadly passed away.

“The European Commission's Brexit negotiator, Michel Barnier, should be invited to address the Seanad”, says Fine Gael Senator and Seanad spokesman on EU Affairs, Neale Richmond. Senator Richmond was speaking during the Seanad Order of Business today (Thursday), in the wake of a visit to Brussels by the Oireachtas EU Affairs Committee, where they met Mr Barnier.

Donegal TD and Minister of State Joe McHugh has welcomed the news today that locum cover for the Medical Oncology Service at Letterkenny University Hospital has resumed with immediate affect. Locum cover had been put in place from March 6. However this cover actually began on Monday past.

Mobile phone company Three has apologised to Donegal TD Joe McHugh over poor coverage in the county and admitted some areas have been badly affected in recent weeks. Minister McHugh wrote to Three last week after complaints from across the county, demanding a public explanation for a catastrophic deterioration in service.

Fine Gael Kildare South TD, Martin Heydon, has today (Wednesday) called on Minister for Jobs Mary Mitchell O’Connor to ensure that the full supports of the State, including access to the European Globalisation Fund, are available for the staff of HP Inc who were informed of job losses at the plant today. Deputy Heydon was speaking on the matter during a topical issue in the Dáil.

“Fine Gael TD for Kildare North, Bernard Durkan, has said that an alternative company must be found for the Leixlip site to be vacated by HP Inc.

Fine Gael Mayo Senator, Michelle Mulherin, has said that investment in our water services is paying off for people in Mayo.