Fitzgerald hails rates exemption for Sports Clubs

Local TD Frances Fitzgerald, Minister for Justice & Equality, has hailed the Government’s decision to exempt sports facilities from commercial rates as “the right decision, which recognises the vital role sports clubs play in our local communities for people of all ages.

"Families and Work: A Chance for Change" - Speech by Minister Fitzgerald

Speech by the Minister for Justice and Equality at the "Families and Work: A Chance for Change" Conference, European Parliament Building:

"I am delighted to be here with you all this morning.  Firstly I want to pay tribute to the National Women’s Council, Start Strong and ICTU for hosting this event and presenting us with an opportunity to debate this important but often neglected topic.

Fitzgerald welcomes start of new school building work at St Finian’s NS, Newcastle

-    Construction of new school building for St Finian’s NS to begin shortly.
-    Project ready to proceed after a number of planning delays.

Local TD Frances Fitzgerald, Minister for Justice & Equality, has welcomed the news that construction of the new school building for St Finian’s NS in Newcastle will begin in the coming weeks.

She said: “I am advised by the Department of Education that a provisional completion date of late May 2015 has been set for this project, which is great news for the school and the Newcastle community.

Fitzgerald welcomes Council Funding for Clondalkin Heritage Centre

-    Round Tower Heritage Centre to receive funding from Council
-    Minister hails “reward for lengthy local campaign”

Local TD Frances Fitzgerald, Minister for Justice & Equality, today congratulated Clondalkin’s Round Tower Heritage Project for their “lengthy local campaign which culminated in today’s wonderful news that South Dublin County Council has approved plans to fund the heritage centre”.

Ministers Fitzgerald visits NCBI Solas Early Learning Centre, Clondalkin

with Aoibhinn Breslin & her mum Caitriona

Local TD Frances Fitzgerald paid a visit to the National Council for the Blind (NCBI) Solas Early Learning Centre, Clondalkin on Friday 19th September, meeting students, staff, parents and NCBI management to discuss the “great work being done to support the educational needs of children with sight loss and visual impairment”.

Minister Fitzgerald lauds Tidy Towns gains across Dublin Mid-West

Local TD Frances Fitzgerald, Minister for Justice & Equality, has hailed the Tidy Towns organisations in Dublin Mid-West for their “significant improvements in this year’s national adjudication, which is a credit to all concerned and gives a lift to both the visual amenities and quality of life in our area”.

Launch of Lucan Festival 2014

With the Italian Ambassador.

Local TD Frances Fitzgerald, Minister for Justice & Equality, said she was "pleased to speak at the launch of the Lucan Festival in the Italian Ambassador’s Residence this week.  The Italian Ambassador was most generous in opening the beautiful house to this important gathering, with local elected representatives, the organising committee of the Festival, and a number of Lucan residents in attendance.

Fitzgerald launches Cancer Awareness Programme in St Kevin’s, Clondalkin

St Kevin’s Community College in Clondalkin had the honour of being selected as the location for the nationwide launch of the Marie Keating Foundation’s Schools Cancer Awareness Programme on Tuesday, September 2nd.

Fitzgerald launches new boxing club at Moyle Park College Clondalkin

Local TD Frances Fitzgerald, Minister for Justice & Equality, said she was “privileged” to cut the ribbon on the new boxing club in Moyle Park College Clondalkin on Monday, September 1st.

Cutting the ribbon with local Fine Gael Councillor Kenneth Egan, she said: “Sport truly brings out the best in our communities, and I am so pleased to see brilliant new facilities for boxing - traditionally a strong sport in this area – being unveiled for the young people of Clondalkin.

Minister Fitzgerald welcomes new Avoca for Lucan

Local TD Frances Fitzgerald, Minister  for Justice & Equality, has welcomed the news that a new Avoca store is to open in Lucan at the site of the former Foxhunter pub. Having been granted a planning exemption, this store is set to open in Spring 2015, with the company expecting to create at least 50 new jobs.

Speech by Minister Fitzgerald at European Remembrance Day

Lighting a Candle of Remembrance

European Day of Remembrance for Victims of Totalitarian Regimes

Conference “Molotov-Ribbentrop pact 75: Echoes today” - 23 August, 2014

Thank you, Minister Bērziņš, for the words of welcome to this very important event.

We can never allow ourselves to forget the horrors of this period in European history.  We can only have confidence that these horrors will not be repeated when we face the past honesty and with rigour and when there is accountability within all societies for the crimes of the past.  Not a glorification of empire, or of tyrants, but a willingness to look into the dark soul of the past and make a brighter and freer and fairer future for one’s own people while living at peace with one’s neighbours.

Minister Fitzgerald publishes the Criminal Justice (Terrorist Offences) (Amendment) Bill 2014

· Bill will create three new terrorist offences

· Minister says “There can be no hiding place in democratic society for those who encourage, recruit or train others to carry out acts of terrorism”

Local TD Frances Fitzgerald, Minister for Justice and Equality, this week published the Criminal Justice (Terrorist Offences) (Amendment) Bill 2014.

Minister Fitzgerald lays wreath at Collins/Griffith Commemoration

Local TD Frances Fitzgerald, Minister for Justice & Equality, participated in the 92nd Annual Collins/Griffith Commemoration in Glasnevin Cemetery on Sunday, honouring the memory of General Michael Collins by laying a wreath at his grave.

In the presence of members of the Defence Forces, the 92nd Annual Commemoration of General Michael Collins & President Arthur Griffith took place at their burial places in Glasnevin Cemetery on Sunday 17th August.

Minister Fitzgerald to cheer on Girls in Green in Paris

Local TD Frances Fitzgerald, Minister for Justice & Equality, will today (August 13th) travel to Paris to cheer on the Irish ladies rugby heroes – including captain and local teacher Fiona Coghlan - in their world cup semi-final against England.

She said: “Like so many Irish sports fans, I have been following closely the ladies’ amazing progress at this World Cup. Every member of the squad has been a brilliant ambassador for this country, displaying great individual talent and unbelievable team spirit under the inspiring captaincy of Fiona Coghlan, who teaches locally in Lucan Community College!

Fitzgerald welcomes progress on new school building for St. Andrew’s NS Lucan

St. Andrew's 2014 Green Flag Ceremony

- Minister confirms commencement of works on the site.
- OPW confirms school to be ready for the 2015 school year.

Local TD Frances Fitzgerald, Minister for Justice & Equality, has welcomed confirmation from the Office of Public Works (OPW) that the construction schedule for a new school building at St. Andrew’s NS Lucan will be completed in time for the 2015 school year.

Interview with Liffey Sound FM on air thsi Wednesday 8 pm

On Wednesday at 8pm, local TD Frances Fitzgerald, Minister for Justice & Equality will be one of Brendan Hackett's guests on "Lucan Today Summer Special" on Liffey Sound FM 96.4.

She said: "Local radio is the lifeblood of Irish communities, and it is my great pleasure to participate in the Lucan Summer Special for Liffey Sound FM - a not-for-profit Community Radio service run by volunteers which was granted a licence to serve the Community of Lucan and its environs".

Minister Fitzgerald hails Peamount players on their achievement with the Republic of Ireland Women's Under 19 soccer team

Pic: Irish Independent

Local TD Frances Fitzgerald, Minister for Justice & Equality, has hailed this week’s “amazing performance by the Republic of Ireland Women's Under 19 team in reaching the semi-finals of the 2014 UEFA European Women's U19 Championship tournament, including the players from Peamount United in Newcastle”.

“Overwhelming majority of Irish CEOs have confidence in Irish economy” – Fitzgerald

-    86% of Irish CEOs are positive about the outlook for Ireland's economy, up from 31% last year.
-    77% are favourable about the future prospects for their own businesses, up from 44% last year.

Minister Fitzgerald welcomes opening of new Rathcoole Cleantech Facility

-    New facility highlights success of investing in R&D

-    8 jobs to be created in the coming years

Local TD Frances Fitzgerald, Minister for Justice & Equality, has warmly welcomed the opening of the SME Brockley Group’s new “cleantech” facility in Rathcoole, which will create 8 jobs in the area in the coming years.

Minister Fitzgerald's Speech on Justice Reform at MacGill Summer School

Speech by Frances Fitzgerald T.D., Minister for Justice and Equality,
on Justice Reform, at the MacGill Summer School
21 July, 2014

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Ladies and Gentlemen,

We talk a lot these days about reform.
But why reform?