Martin Heydon, TD

Fine Gael Dun Laoghaire TD, Mary Mitchell O’Connor, has said we should use Autism Awareness Day tomorrow (Tuesday) as an opportunity to celebrate uniqueness, while also raising awareness about the challenges faced by those with the condition. Deputy Mitchell O’Connor also called for a standardised approach to early intervention across the country.

Fine Gael Cork East TD, Tom Barry, has welcomed the publication of the Competition and Consumer Protection Bill 2014, which will offer greater protections to both consumers and suppliers. The long awaited piece of legislation has been published today (Monday) by the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation, Richard Bruton TD.

Fine Gael TD for Dublin South Central, Catherine Byrne has today (Monday) welcome a new Alcohol Action Ireland (AAI) initiative aimed at reducing the consumption of alcohol during pregnancy. The initiative, in cooperation with the National Maternity Hospital, the Rotunda Hospital and the Coombe Women & Infants University Hospital, features a new information leaflet for pregnant women.

Funds will boost employment opportunities for builders and tradespeople in Dublin Central

Groundbreaking legislation will deliver on two Programme for Government commitments and introduce major reforms in consumer protection, grocery goods sector and media mergers

Speaking today on the publication of the Central Statistics Office recorded crime statistics for 2013, the Minister for Justice, Equality and Defence, Alan Shatter TD, welcomed the fact that crime is continuing to fall across most crime categories, with a total reduction of more than 16,000 crimes over 2012.

Fine Gael Meath East TD, Helen McEntee, has welcomed the Competition and Consumer Protection Bill 2014, which has been published today (Monday) by the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation, Richard Bruton TD. Deputy McEntee said that the new legislation will offer greater protection to consumers and create a fairer playing field between suppliers and major retailers.

Ladies and gentlemen, I am happy to be joining you on this special day for all those of you who will be granted Irish citizenship. It is a very important day in the story of your life and it is also an important day for Ireland, as the host nation bestowing this honour on you.

Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport Leo Varadkar has marked the reduction of the air travel tax to zero and welcomed the response of the airlines to the Government’s move in the last Budget.

I welcome the opportunity to speak on this report and to affirm the efforts of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade in selling Ireland.