Barry Ward, TD

There is progress for sail training in Ireland with a potential new vessel identified, a Fine Gael Senator has said. Dún Laoghaire Senator Barry Ward today (Thursday) raised the matter with the Minister for Defence, Simon Coveney TD and emphasised the importance of funding for a new sail training vessel in Ireland to replace Asgard II.

A Fine Gael Senator has called on Dublin Bus and the National Transport Authority (NTA) to introduce a 24-hour service for Route 46A, which runs between Dún Laoghaire and the Phoenix Park, through the city centre.  

A Bill drafted by Fine Gael’s Barry Ward which aims to ensure National Lottery funding is guaranteed to go to fund sports groups, arts and community activities across the country is progressing through the Oireachtas.

Reports from hersport.ie that the Connacht Women's Rugby Team was forced to change beside rat-infested bins before an interprovincial match against Ulster yesterday has set back progress made in recognising women's and men's sport equally, a Fine Gael Senator has said.

The decision to suspend deportation orders placed on Afghan asylum seekers who had previously been denied refugee status in Ireland is welcome given the current volatility in the region, a Fine Gael Senator has said. 

Fine Gael Dún Laoghaire Senator Barry Ward has called for action on the request from Belarus athlete Kristina Timanovskaya for asylum in Japan, saying Ireland must lead the international community in calling for the protection of the Belarusians abroad who need it.

A Fine Gael Senator has strongly criticised the new ‘security’ laws imposed in Hong Kong by China, following the conviction of a 24-year-old in a juryless trial.

The Seanad has today unanimously acknowledged the lack of fairness and transparency in last year’s Belarusian Presidential election and condemned the show trials and anti-democratic actions which have taken place since.

A Fine Gael Senator has called on the Irish government and our partners in the European Union to implement more effective sanctions against the regime of Alexander Lukashenko in Belarus.

The publication of the US State Department's annual Trafficking in Persons (TIP) report reminds us we must redouble our efforts to stamp out human trafficking, Fine Gael Senator Barry Ward has said.