News & Statements

Further Progress for South East Technological University – Coffey

Fine Gael Waterford Deputy Paudie Coffey has said that further progress has been made in delivering a technological university for the South East Region. Deputy Coffey has said the process for creating technological universities has been on-going since this government came to office; the Minister has now instructed the Higher Education Authority (HEA) to start implementing a plan that will see WIT and Carlow IT (CIT) progress to becoming a technological university for the South East region.

Dail Question on Facebook and NAPD’s engagement to address cyberbullying

To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if his Department will be engaging with the National Association of Principals and Deputy Principals in their attempt to request a meeting with Facebook to discuss the risks of cyberbullying; his position on this request; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Dail Question regarding derelict buildings in Swords, Co. Dublin

To ask the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he has received an official request for permission to demolish a semi-derelict building block (North Street, Swords) in County Dublin; when permission will be granted; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Dáil Question on the urgent requirement for waste water treatment at Rush, Co. Dublin

To ask the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government when he envisages funding being made available to Fingal County Council in order to proceed with the construction of a scheme to divert sewage from Rush Harbour, County Dublin to the Portrane Sewage Plant; if this will be addressed urgently due to Rush Harbour failing to meet Environmental Protection Agency standards in 2013 for quality of bathing water,; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Headline crime rates fall in Malahide and Swords

"There has been a reduced rate of residential burglaries in Malahide and Swords in the first quarter of 2013," according to Alan Farrell, Fine Gael TD for Dublin Fingal, commenting on the recent figures released by An Garda Síochána.

Confidence in the Minister for Justice and Equality (Private Members)

It is almost impossible for us in this Chamber to be objective in our judgment of each other. We are too close to one another, too political, competitive and ideologically polarised. Nobody in this room has not already formed a view and an opinion about everybody else. We all have our preconceived prejudices, political, personal and ideological and I am afraid it may have been these prejudices that drove this motion rather than any real conviction of wrong doing.

Parliamentary Question addressed to the Minister for Health

To ask the Minister for Health if he has received an interim report from the group reviewing the mobility allowance and motorised transport grant as payments under both of these heads terminate in June; and if he will make a statement on the matter.