Martin Heydon, TD

Deputies, it is clear that this Government’s plan for economic recovery is working, and the economy is moving in the right direction. The core aim of this year’s budget is to secure and solidify that recovery. However, we are aware that the economic recovery remains fragile. This Government’s determination to ensure that the mistakes of the past are not repeated has meant that some difficult choices have had to be made in framing this budget.

Distinguished Guests, members of the Oireachtas, colleagues. I am very pleased to be here today at this event to mark EU Anti- trafficking Day, which falls tomorrow, the eighteenth (18th) of October.

Fine Gael Senator for Louth, Jim D’Arcy, has been appointed to the Ad Hoc Committee of the Council of Europe, of which he is a member, for the observation of the legislative elections in Ukraine, which take place on Sunday 26th October 2014.

Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade Charlie Flanagan TD, and Minister of State for Development, Trade Promotion, and North- South Co-operation, Seán Sherlock TD, have welcomed the opportunity this afternoon for key Departmental officials to brief NGO partners on the latest developments in the Ebola crisis.

DublinTown, the collective of 2,500 businesses in Dublin city centre, today launches a new Group Waste Scheme for city centre businesses, promising to cut waste collection charges by up to 20%, while offering businesses greater control over their waste management service.

Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport Paschal Donohoe T.D., today (Thursday) announced that he has agreed arrangements with his UK counterpart, Minister John Hayes MP, for light dues paid by ships coming into ports in Ireland and the United Kingdom from April 2015.

Minister for Justice and Equality, Ms. Frances Fitzgerald, T.D., today announced the establishment of the Charities Regulatory Authority, a new independent regulatory agency for the charity sector.

Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Mr Charlie Flanagan, TD, will tomorrow morning [Friday 17 October] launch a database of Irish- born individuals who served with the Australian forces in the First World War.

Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Charlie Flanagan, TD, today met the Hon. John Baird, PC, MP, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Canada in Dublin to discuss international issues, bilateral relations, trade opportunities and migration.

Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Charlie Flanagan, TD, described the opening session of the talks with the Northern Ireland Executive parties today as positive and constructive.