Labour Party Spokesperson on Tourism, Culture and Sport Mary Upton TD has welcomed the launch of the new smartphone tourism application for Dublin as a major tourist aid.

I wish to express my sincere condolences on the death of Mick Lally. Our thoughts are with his wife Peggy and their children.

Urban horses in Dublin need to be better looked after according to Labour Party TD for Dublin South Central, Mary Upton.

Yet another report has confirmed that the hospitality sector is in crisis, yet the Government does nothing to help according to Labour Party spokesperson on Tourism, Culture and Sport Mary Upton TD

The substantial decrease in visitor numbers to Ireland is nothing short of startling.

While some of the drop might be attributed to the volcanic activity, the fall of 25 per cent compared to April 2009 must set alarm bells ringing in the Dept of Tourism.

Labour Party TD for Dublin South Central Mary Upton, has described as a disgrace, the decision by An Bord Pleanála to grant permission to demolish a late 19th century chapel of social and historical value, to build a private hospital in the grounds of St James's Hospital.

The Laurel Unit in Cherry Orchard hospital is under threat of closure which means that the 19 patients currently being looked after there are to be moved to other units within the campus, causing great distress to the patients, Mary Upton TD stated today.

Labour Party Spokesperson on Tourism, Culture and Sport, Mary Upton TD has welcomed the opening of the new House of Waterford Crystal visitor centre in Waterford City Centre as a major tourism boost for all of the South-East.

Labour Party Spokesperson on Tourism, Culture and Sport Mary Upton TD welcomed a review by Minister for the Environment John Gormley of how planning laws and policies have been implemented in six local authority areas including Dublin City Council.

Labour Party Spokesperson on Tourism, Culture and Sport Mary Upton TD has warmly congratulated the Irish Boxing Team for their performance at the European Senior Championships at the Ice Palace in Moscow. Ireland is now guaranteed at least five bronze medals.

The “Honohan Report” into the origins of the banking crisis has cast serious doubts on the actions of the HSE’s Chief Executive Officer Elect Cathal Magee according to Labour Party TD for Dublin South Central Mary Upton. Deputy Upton has called for Mr Magee to appear before an Oireachtas Committee to explain his actions before he takes up this vital post on September 1st.

Labour Party Spokesperson on Tourism, Culture and Sport Mary Upton TD has congratulated Special Olympics Ireland for a wonderful opening ceremony yesterday and is looking forward to successful games over the coming days.

An urgent investigation into the compliance rate with employment legislation within the hotel sector is required following the disclosure by the Government of a 73% non compliance rate, according to Mary Upton TD, Labour Party spokesperson on Tourism, Culture and Sport.

Labour Party Deputy for Dublin South Central, Mary Upton TD has called for clarity from the Government regarding the future of the Inchicore Ballyfermot Home Help Service.

I would like to pay tribute to Martin Cullen who has announced that he is to step down as a minister and as a TD.

Just a quick reminder to let everyone know that the Dublin Bus Community Support Programme 2010 is now open for applications.

Speaking during questions to the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism today, Mary Upton TD, has called on the Minister to bring all of the relevant stakeholders in the horse and greyhound and betting industries together around a table to secure the future of the industry.

Speaking at the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Sport Labour Party spokesperson on Arts, Sport and Tourism, Mary Upton TD, has demanded that the Government take immediate actions on taxing remote gambling.

Labour Party Deputy for Dublin South Central has categorised the decision by Dublin City Council to grant permission to demolish a church which was in the process of being considered for addition to the record of protected structures and build a private hospital in the grounds of St. James’s Hospital, Rialto, Dublin 8, as a disgrace.

“The Labour Party is today setting out our ambitious proposals to put the Horse and Greyhound Fund on a revenue neutral basis by outlining a mechanism through which remote gambling operations (Online, Phone, Mobile and TV) will be brought into the betting levy. This levy is to be raised to 1.5%

The failure of local authorities to provide reliable information with regard to water supplies in parts of Dublin is leaving thousands of households without water, and more importantly, without any clear indication as to when a full service will return.

I would like to extend my warmest congratulations to Colm Tóibín whose novel 'Brooklyn' last night scooped the Costa Fiction Award.

The reply to the Parliamentary Question (see below) that I put down to Finance Minister Brian Lenihan in which he ruled out imposing a special tax on bankers’ bonuses is very disappointing.

Labour Party TD for Dublin South Central Mary Upton TD has demanded urgent implementation of legislation relating to noisy and disruptive neighbours, particular in private rented accommodation.

Labour Party Deputy Mary Upton has welcomed the commitment by the Government to reinstate the Community Support for Older people scheme.

The excellent and vital work been carried out by Family Resource Centres across the country must be maintained and must not be subject to short sighted cuts according to Mary Upton, Labour Party TD for Dublin South Central.

Speaking last night in an adjournment debate on Dáil Éireann

I welcome the opportunity to speak on the closure of wards at Our Lady's Hospital for Sick Children, Crumlin.  The decision to close the wards is totally misguided.  The only outcome of the decision will be unnecessary pain and suffering for children, who will be put on the waiting list, and incredible stress for their parents.

Speaking in an Adjournment Debate in Dail Eireann this week Deputy Mary Upton raised this issue of the cuts in special education classes.

I thank the Ceann Comhairle's office for the opportunity to raise this matter. I was shocked by the content of the announcement early last week and the way in which it was made. It was wheeled out in the midst of the hot debate on the economic climate, almost as if it were being buried beneath it.