Fergus O'Dowd, TD

Taoiseach Enda Kenny today apologised to abuse survivor Louise O’Keeffe.

This afternoon the Taoiseach, Enda Kenny T.D. met with a number of the families of the 11 people killed in Ballymurphy over a three day period in August 1971.

Frances Fitzgerald TD, Minister for Children and Youth Affairs today welcomes the publication of the General Scheme of the Children and Family Relationships Bill.

To ask the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will reconsider the proposed amendment S.I number 9 of the Building Control Amendment Regulations 2013 which if introduced could discourage the tradition of self builders here; and if he will make a statement on the matter?

To ask the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if it is the intention of Irish Water, as reported recently, to charge apartment dwellers on an average use basis rather than a metered basis; and if he will make a statement on the matter?

To ask the Minister for Finance if his attention has been drawn to the inconsistency that exists between the VAT Consolidation Act 2010 and a Revenue Commissioner leaflet on VAT for veterinary services which is a great concern of the professional dog groomers industry; if he will review this inconsistency and allow professional dog groomers to charge the 13.5% VAT rate which is currently available to veterinary practices that provide dog grooming services; and if he will make a statement on the matter?

To ask the Minister for Finance if he will consider making those with a pension fund of less than €300,000 a year which would have an approximate payment of €12,000 a year, similar to the non-contributory pension rate, exempt from paying the pension levy; and if he will make a statement on the matter?

Cork South Central Fine Gael TD and member of the Constitutional Convention, Jerry Buttimer, in welcoming the extension of time granted to the Constitutional Convention, has said that this will enable it to complete its work as delegated by the Oireachtas. Deputy Buttimer was commenting after Dáil Éireann approved a Resolution following a decision of Government to extend the mandate given to the Constitutional Convention to complete its programme of works until 31st March 2014.

Fine Gael Dublin South Central TD, Catherine Byrne, has today (Wednesday) welcomed the announcement of a €10 million investment by the Teeling Whiskey Company in a new distillery and visitor centre at Newmarket Square in Dublin's Liberties. The distillery will create over 30 new jobs as well as 50 jobs in the construction phase.