Emer Higgins, TD

Only a few short weeks ago we saw the 40th anniversary of the savage bombings in Dublin and Monaghan and the tragic loss of life and injuries that resulted.

Deputies will recall that the Programme for Government indicated that the necessary steps to create a permanent Court of Appeal would be taken during the lifetime of the Government. On foot of that commitment, a Referendum was held on 4 October 2013 and the proposal to establish a Court of Appeal was agreed to by the people.

Good afternoon everyone. This morning the Tanaiste and I announced a new Cabinet to drive forward our agenda for the economic and social recovery of Ireland. This afternoon we are publishing a new Statement of Priorities for the remaining 21 months of this Government’s term.

Today (Tuesday), Charlie Flanagan TD, Minister for Children and Youth Affairs briefed Cabinet on the interim report of the Cross Departmental Review Committee. The Committee, comprised of senior officials from eight government departments and a number of State agencies, was asked to scope the issues relevant to a Commission of Investigation into Mother and Baby Homes and to report by the end of June.

Fine Gael Wicklow TD, Simon Harris, has today (Tuesday) said that it is high-time that we radically alter how the State interacts with people with disabilities. Deputy Harris added that the State must recognise that this relationship must go much further than the simple administration of a social welfare payment.

Fine Gael Dublin Rathdown TD, Olivia Mitchell, has welcomed the signing of the contract to construct a new 16 classroom gaelscoil at Ballyogan Avenue, Stepaside.

Fine Gael Roscommon/South Leitrim TD, Frank Feighan, has warmly welcomed the OPW’s allocation of €202,677 to Roscommon County Council for flood mitigation works to be carried out in Four Roads in South Roscommon.

Fine Gael Cork South West TD, Noel Harrington, has today (Monday) welcomed the series of announcements made earlier which will result in hundreds of new jobs being created in Cork city and county. In the largest of the announcements, 260 new jobs will be created at SouthWestern, which is headquartered in Clonakilty.

Fine Gael Wicklow TD, Simon Harris, has today (Monday) questioned Fianna Fáil’s motives and accused the Party of trying to scare older people over the free travel pass.

I am delighted to join you here today to launch the Fourth Annual Monitoring report on Integration 2013. I would like to begin by thanking Killian Forde, CEO of The Integration Centre, for his kind invitation to me to launch the report.