Leo Varadkar, TD

I would like to thank the Children’s Rights Alliance for the invitation to speak at its information seminar on the draft Children and Family Relationships Bill. I would like to acknowledge the pivotal role played by the Children’s Rights Alliance in championing the rights of children in our society.

Fine Gael Dublin Senator, Catherine Noone, has today (Wednesday) said that calorie counts on menus will help us to cut down our bad eating habits and have a healthier diet. Senator Noone was speaking after the Minister for Health, James Reilly TD, launched the Food Safety Authority of Ireland’s new online calorie calculator (www.menucal.ie).

Fine Gael Senator and Seanad Spokesperson on Justice, Disability and Equality, Martin Conway, has today (Wednesday) welcomed the passage of the Fines (Payment and Recovery) Bill 2013 through Seanad Éireann.

Speaking this evening in the Dáil during the Private Members’ Debate on wind turbines, Fine Gael Chairman and Laois/Offaly TD, Charlie Flanagan, called for stud farms and racehorse training facilities to be designated as ‘noise sensitive properties’ when planning applications are being considered for wind farm developments.

Fine Gael Wicklow/East Carlow TD Simon Harris has extended his thanks to Conor Coffey for all his assistance throughout today in the Dáil while ‘shadowing’ the Fine Gael TD.

Fine Gael TD for Galway West, Sean Kyne, has welcomed the commitment by the Minister for Finance, Michael Noonan TD, to review the matter of inheritance rights for foster children.

The Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation Mr. Richard Bruton T.D., today (Wednesday) launched “Good for Business, Good for the Community”, Ireland’s National Plan on Corporate Social Responsibility 2014-2016.

The Minister for Justice, Equality and Defence, Mr Alan Shatter TD, has today laid the Annual Report on the activities of the Criminal Assets Bureau for 2012 before the Houses of the Oireachtas. This is the seventeenth Annual Report of the Bureau since its establishment in 1996.

Speaking this morning at a conference in Dublin Castle on HIV prevention, Fine Gael Cork South Central TD and Chairman of the Oireachtas Health Committee, Jerry Buttimer, said that a new awareness campaign is needed to highlight the risk of HIV, particularly amongst young gay men.

On Easter Sunday, I will once again take place in the 1916 commemorations on O’Connell Street and will be privileged to join those honouring this important landmark in our country’s history.