Martin Heydon, TD

I welcome the opportunity to speak on this important legislation that deals with recording the defining moments of our lives, our births, marriages and deaths - the records that establish our position and status within the State, and our relationship to one and another and to the State as citizens.

To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources in view of the serious reservations of many potential users of the proposed post code and in view of its almost complete irrevocability once introduced, if he will consider postponing its introduction pending an examination of the extent to which it meets the criteria for a national post code as defined by the Joint Oireachtas Communications Committee in 2010; and if he will make a statement on the matter?

Fine Gael Cork North Central Senator and the Party’s Seanad Spokesperson on Health, Colm Burke, has today (Thursday) called on the HSE to review all small maternity units across the country, on view of the evidence given by Dr Peter Boylan, former master of the National Maternity Hospital, at the inquest into the death of Ms Dhara Kivlehan.

Fine Gael Cork South Central TD, and Chairperson of the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Health and Children, Jerry Buttimer, has called for a detailed national policy on anaphylaxis and for a review of regulations which control access to treatment in emergency situations.

Fine Gael Dublin South Central TD, has today (Thursday) welcomed figures released by Dublin Port Company showing a 7.3% increase in export and import trade for the year to date. Ferry passenger numbers are also up 5.5%.

Fine Gael Dublin MEP Brian Hayes has said today (Thursday) said that a programme funded by the European Investment Bank (EIB) on Social Housing in Ireland will be of significant benefit to Dublin as the city battles with housing shortages.

Fine Gael MEPs Sean Kelly, Mairead McGuinness and Deirdre Clune will travel to Belfast on Friday, October 10th to host a series of meetings with leading politicians, community groups and those involved in the EU funding programmes.

Fine Gael Cork South West TD, Noel Harrington, has today (Thursday) called for the National Broadband Plan to prioritise rural areas, as they cannot wait another six years. Deputy Harrington was speaking after a meeting of the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport and Communications, where members received a briefing from officials in the Department of Communications, Energy & Natural Resources and the Commission of the Communications Regulation (ComReg).

Fine Gael TD for Meath East, Regina Doherty, says a new plan aimed at creating 93,000 jobs, launched today (Thursday), by Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation, Richard Bruton TD, Minister of State for Skills, Research and Innovation, Damien English TD and Minister of State for Business and Employment, Ged Nash TD, should act as a kick-start for local entrepreneurs.

A new plan aimed at creating an extra 93,000 jobs from start-up companies in the next five years was today launched by Minister for Jobs Richard Bruton TD together with Minister of State for Business and Employment Ged Nash TD and Minister of State for Skills, Research and Innovation Damien English TD.