Fergus O'Dowd, TD

The purpose of the Bill is to fulfil the Programme for Government commitment to hold a referendum on the abolition of the Seanad in the Autumn.

Áine Collins TD, has today welcomed the news that a new Astro Turf pitch has got the go-ahead in Millstreet. “This is great news for Millstreet. The pitch’s prominent location will mean that it’s easily accessible for the national and secondary schools, as well as all the various sporting organisations and individuals who will be want to use the Astro Turf.” said Collins.

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.

For the former residents of the Magdalen Laundries; St Mary's Training Centre Stanhope Street and House of Mercy Training School, Summerhill, Wexford, today is a profoundly important day.

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.

For the former residents of the Magdalen Laundries; St Mary's Training Centre Stanhope Street and House of Mercy Training School, Summerhill, Wexford, today is a profoundly important day.

To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the extent to which the international community continues to endeavour to make a positive intervention to secure peace in Syria...

Fine Gael TD for Dublin South, Olivia Mitchell, speaking today (Wednesday) in the Dáíl on the Protection of Life during Pregnancy Bill 2013, has said that any suggestion of the need for legal representation for the foetus, by a former DPP or others, is utterly superfluous.