Josepha Madigan, TD

Minister for European Affairs, Paschal Donohoe T.D., this afternoon (Wednesday) encouraged a greater level of engagement by Northern Ireland Unionist MLAs with members of Dáil Éireann. Minister Donohoe was speaking in the Dáil on Statements on the Current Situation in Northern Ireland (see full speech below).

The Minister for Justice, Equality and Defence today complimented members of the Garda Síochána, Defence Forces and Civil Defence on their work throughout the country in the last few days.

The Minister for Justice, Equality and Defence, Alan Shatter TD, has received Government approval for the drafting of the Criminal Justice (Community Sanctions) Bill 2014 and for the publication of the General Scheme of the Bill today. The General Scheme will be submitted to the Joint Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality for pre-legislative consideration.

At the outset I would like to thank the Committee for their willingness to deal with this matter today, at short notice. It is important that Ireland is seen to be in a position to play a full part in the negotiations which have just begun in relation to this instrument, and a positive response to the Motion which has been tabled will facilitate that objective.

Fine Gael Dublin Senator, Catherine Noone, has today (Wednesday) called on the Minister for Finance, Michael Noonan TD, to consider introducing a higher than proposed tax rate on online gambling, in the context of the Betting Amendment Bill.

Fine Gael Wexford TD, Dr Liam Twomey, has today (Wednesday) welcomed the announcement by the Minister for Health, Dr James Reilly TD, that a public consultation is underway on legislation which will introduce ‘Living Wills’.

To ask the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if provision will be made to augment the direct local authority house building programme proposed in the recent budget ...

To ask the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the extent to which the various relevant local authorities have brought to the attention of his Department the seriousness of the housing crisis...

To ask the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if provision will be made to augment the direct local authority house building programme proposed in the recent budget ...