Emer Higgins, TD

I welcome the opportunity to speak to the Bill and I welcome its import and intent. In the county enterprise board in Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown we have had a body of real excellence and I have had nothing but admiration for it through the years because of the work it has done.

To ask the Minister for Health what will happen to patients' medical records due to the closure of Mount Carmel Hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter?

Fine Gael Cork Senator, Deirdre Clune, has said she is proud to accept the challenge of securing a second seat for Fine Gael in the Ireland South constituency.

Fine Gael MEP for Ireland South , Sean Kelly , has said the people of Ireland must send their strongest voices to work for them in Europe.

Local Enterprise Offices will be up and running in April.

The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) has today (Thursday) agreed to a request from PAC member and Fine Gael Wicklow TD, Simon Harris, to seek an urgent update from the Health Service Executive (HSE) regarding the compliance status of Section 38 organisations.

Fine Gael Galway West TD, Sean Kyne, has today (Wednesday) said expertise and advice will be on offer for Galway businesses at an event to be held in the Radisson Blu Hotel on 25th March. The ‘Taking Care of Business’ event will provide potential entrepreneurs and existing small business owners with information on the State supports available to them.

Fine Gael Clare TD and Chairman of the Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, Pat Breen, has today (Wednesday) helped Aer Lingus to launch its new Boeing B757 service from Shannon to Boston.

Since I last addressed this House on the regulation of charities, I have taken steps to advance the implementation of the 2009 Charities Act. I wish to inform the House of this progress today, but first I want to address the important issue of charity fundraising. I highlighted some concerns I have in this regard recently in the Dáil and I am now pleased to address this House on the matter.

Fine Gael Clare Senator, Martin Conway, has today (Wednesday) welcomed comments from the office of the EU’s Regional Policy Commissioner, Johannes Hahn, that Ireland can apply for assistance from the Solidarity Fund.