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Minister Shatter announces Humanitarian Admission Programme to assist vulnerable persons suffering in Syria and surrounding countries

In response to an approach by members of the Syrian community in Ireland and in light of the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Syria the Minister for Justice, Equality and Defence, Alan Shatter, TD today announced that he is putting in place an immigration based humanitarian admission programme with a view to providing some further assistance to vulnerable persons affected by the conflict in the region.

2nd March 2014

Minister Shatter announces appointment of Garda Confidential Recipient

The Cabinet today agreed to the proposal of the Minister for Justice, Equality and Defence that he appoint Retired District Court Judge Mr Patrick McMahon to the position of Confidential Recipient under Regulation 6 of the Garda Síochána (Confidential Reporting of Malpractice) Regulations 2007.

2nd March 2014

€8.27m approved by OPW to boost Clare’s flood defences – Conway

Fine Gael Clare Senator, Martin Conway, has today (Wednesday) welcomed the announcement from the Office of Public Works (OPW) that €8.27 million has been allocated to improve flood defences in Clare. Senator Conway added that two EU studies published recently by the European Commission further underline the importance of investing in flood protection.

2nd March 2014

Parliamentary Question addressed to the Minister for Education and Skills

To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the actions that could now be taken to provide a permanent school (details supplied) as the preferred site has been refused planning permission for the second time; and if he will make a statement on the matter?

2nd March 2014

Fine Gael is putting children first

Frances Fitzgerald TD, Minister for Children & Youth Affairs has today addressed the Fine Gael Árd Fhéis in the RDS, telling delegates that Fine Gael in Government has made significant progress in disrupting the decades-long legacy of inaction and failures by previous Governments in the areas of child protection, youth justice and childcare quality.

1st March 2014

Varadkar announces €620K for Dublin tourism trail aimed at international visitors

Minister for Transport, Tourism & Sport Leo Varadkar has announced €620,000 to further develop several key tourism attractions in Dublin, the restoration of the historic church bell which was the first Catholic Bell to ring in Dublin in breach of the Penal Laws.

1st March 2014

Time for Dun Laoghaire to move forward and plan for a brighter future – Mitchell O’Connor

Fine Gael Dun Laoghaire TD, Mary Mitchell O’Connor, has today (Tuesday) said it is time for the town to move forward and plan for a brighter future. Deputy Mitchell O’Connor was speaking after the Business Improvement District (BID) scheme was passed by Dun Laoghaire Rathdown County Council members.

1st March 2014

Statement by the Minister for Justice, Equality and Defence, Alan Shatter TD on the Government's Priorities for the Year Ahead

I intend to first address my Justice brief and, thereafter, Defence. As Deputies will know, the Programme for Government sets out a substantial and broad agenda for reform in the area of Justice and Equality. I believe we have made great progress in implementing this agenda in the first three years of this Government’s term of office and that we have achieved an unprecedented level of reform in that time.

1st March 2014

Speech to be delivered by Alan Shatter TD, Minister for Justice, Equality and Defence 7 March 2014 Citizenship Ceremony City Hall, Waterford

Mayor Cummins, ladies and gentlemen, thank you for those warm words of welcome. I am delighted to be here in Waterford 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.

1st March 2014

Speech by Mr. Alan Shatter TD, Minister for Justice, Equality and Defence at the launch of The Irish Prison Service and Probation Service Annual Reports 2013

Director of the Probation Service - Vivian Geiran, Director General of the Irish Prison Service - Michael Donnellan, CEO of Depaul Ireland - Kerry Anthony, Chairman of Tus Nua - Ray McGovern and invited guests.

1st March 2014