The Taoiseach and Minister Simon Coveney, today (Thursday 2nd February) launched a major national consultation for the preparation of a strategic planning and development framework for Ireland between now and 2040, in Maynooth University. Today’s event is the first of two public consultation exercises and a series of regional and stakeholder events in preparing Ireland 2040 – Our Plan.

With today’s antics at the Oireachtas Water Committee, Fianna Fáil is effectively holding up the work of the Committee, which is not in the public interest,” says Kildare South TD and Chair of the Fine Gael Parliamentary Party, Martin Heydon.

An Taoiseach Enda Kenny together with Minister for Jobs, Enterprise & Innovation Mary Mitchell O’Connor today launched the Action Plan for Jobs 2017 at the offices of NDRC, the early stage investor in tech companies, in the Digital Hub.

“In the wake of the meeting between An Taoiseach, Enda Kenny, and British Prime Minister, Theresa May, I am in no doubt of the enormity of the Brexit situation and its potential implications for Donegal. “The Irish Government has a very clear understanding the nature and scale of the challenge presented by Brexit challenge. Ireland began preparations for a potential Brexit two years ago, well before the UK’s referendum and since last June, this preparation has steadily intensified.

The Minister for Agriculture Food and the Marine, Michael Creed TD, today launched the Agriculture Cashflow Support Loan Scheme. The Scheme was developed in co-operation with the Strategic Banking Corporation of Ireland (SBCI), which has today confirmed that AIB, Bank of Ireland and Ulster Bank will distribute the loans, making €150 million available to farmers throughout Ireland at low-cost interest rate of 2.95%.

I am delighted to welcome Prime Minister Theresa May to Dublin for the first time since she took office. The Prime Minister's visit today is very timely. As everyone knows, the relationship between our two countries, and our common interests, are now facing great challenges.

Fine Gael Dublin Rathdown Senator, Neale Richmond, today (Monday) welcomed the opening of a public consultation into expanding the operating days of the Dún Laoghaire Lexicon library to include Sundays.

Fine Gael Limerick Senator, Maria Byrne, has highlighted that Limerick schools have featured prominently in a list compiled by Independent News and Media detailing the best schools in Ireland on the basis of college entry.

The Taoiseach will welcome Prime Minister May to Government Buildings later today, Monday 30 January 2017, for a Summit meeting.