Martin Heydon, TD

Despite the considerable controversy we have had around this debate, I am very happy to be a member of the 31st Dáil that will at last legislate to protect the lives of women when their life is threatened by their pregnancy. I think it is to our shame that we have waited until we were forced by the international community to take action in this area. It is to our shame that we forced sick, distressed and often heartbroken women onto boats and aeroplanes to find elsewhere the compassion that was not available to them here at home in their own country. When I say it is to our shame, I mean it is to our shame as legislators. It is not, and has not been for a long time, the will of the Irish people that sick women should be treated like this. In successive referenda they told us what they wanted and those views have been confirmed in successive opinion polls, opinion polls which have shown the people to be far ahead of we politicians in both compassion and understanding.

Fine Gael Meath East TD, Helen McEntee, has today (Wednesday) warmly welcomed the announcement that almost €200,000 is being provided for the restoration of St. John’s Church in Nobber.

Fine Gael Kerry Senator and Seanad Chief Whip, Paul Coghlan, has said that tight terms of reference should be set down for any new banking inquiry. Speaking in the Seanad yesterday, Senator Coghlan said that legislation due to be passed through the Oireachtas before the summer recess would allow for such an inquiry to be established.

The agreement secured by the Irish Presidency today (Wednesday) in Brussels on the new Employment and Social Innovation (EASI) programme (formerly known provisionally as the Programme for Social Change and Innovation) will assist the EU’s employment efforts, according to Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation, Richard Bruton TD.

Fine Gael Waterford Deputy, Paudie Coffey, has called on the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government, Phil Hogan TD, to use powers under the Valuation Act 2001 to limit the amount that rates can be increased for businesses in Waterford. Deputy Coffey was speaking following the revaluation process that has been completed in Waterford City, Waterford County and Dungarvan, that has led to massive rates increases for certain businesses, in particular in the retail sector.

There is no doubt that this legislation is the most difficult and contentious piece of legislation ever to be considered by this house. Most TD's would be happier if it was not necessary to deal with this issue. But our job as legislators is to regulate. In this case on an issue that has already been decided with the interpretation of the Supreme Court and by the people in two referenda.

To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he has engaged with An Taisce regarding the implications that the loss of blue flags in many Dublin North beaches will have on tourism in 2013 due to their policy of applying the EU Directive for water bathing quality four years retrospectively; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Fine Gael Clare Senator, Martin Conway, has welcomed what he has described as a major step forward in attempts to overhaul US immigration laws. Yesterday in Washington, the US Senate endorsed a proposal to substantially bolster security along the nation’s southern borders as part of a measure that would provide a path to citizenship for 11 million undocumented immigrants.

Enterprise Ireland Commercialisation Fund to aid economic recovery and create jobs.