Fine Gael TD for Longford Westmeath, Gabrielle McFadden, has said that the Government has expanded the eligibility criteria for the €5 million fund for small businesses to include businesses not subject to commercial rates.

The Minister for Finance Michael Noonan has said today (Friday) that voters should look to Portugal if they want to see how political instability leads to economic instability.

Dublin Senator and Fine Gael candidate for Dublin West, Catherine Noone, has welcomed the announcement today by the Minister for Health that he intends to publicly fund fertility treatment, in conjunction with planned legislation

Fine Gael TD for Dublin South Central, Catherine Byrne, has today (Monday) welcomed the announcement by the Minister for Health, Leo Varadkar TD, of his intention to provide public funding for assisted human reproductive treatment for Irish couples who need help with fertility.

Fine Gael TD for Cork North West, Áine Collins, has said that new regulation of the grocery goods sector by the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation Richard Bruton TD, will be good for businesses around the country and will also protect consumers.

I want to acknowledge the leadership role that Minister Simon Harris has played in instigating this event – and indeed for his vision and energy in driving the Government’s International Financial Services strategy.

Fine Gael Dublin South West Senator Cáit Keane, has announced that childcare facilities providing only the Early Childhood Care and Education Scheme (ECCE), are exempt from paying commercial rates. Senator Keane was speaking after raising the issue of commercial rates for preschool facilities in the Seanad today (Thursday) with the Minister for Justice and Equality, Frances Fitzgerald TD, as responsibility for the Valuation Office transferred to the Minister’s Department with effect from 1 January 2016.

Fine Gael TD for Clare, Joe Carey, has received confirmation from the Taoiseach in the Dáil of a new €106 million national fund for repair of roads affected by flood damage.

“On 27th January 2011, Fianna Fáil’s Finance Bill introduced the USC, taking a large chunk from the pay packets of workers across the country. Five years later, people opening their January payslips can expect more money in their accounts due to a cut to USC”, says Minister of State at the Department of Finance and Fine Gael TD for Wicklow/East Carlow, Simon Harris.