Fine Gael Waterford Minister Paudie Coffey has said claims from Sinn Fein that the abolition of the Property Tax and Water Charges would cost €8 million are absolute nonsense. Minister Coffey said these claims were made by the president of Sinn Fein Gerry Adams last night on the Claire Byrne Show and were wrong by the tune of roughly €1.7 billion.

Fine Gael TD for Laois/Offaly, Marcella Corcoran Kennedy, has received assurances from the Chief Executive of Ulster Bank that the bank’s ATM machine will be retained in Ferbane, County Offaly. Deputy Corcoran-Kennedy has also been assured that Ulster Bank customers will be able to deposit money into their accounts in Ferbane Post Office.

“Gaeltacht areas are experiencing consistent employment growth and the focus of this Government is to see that continue”, says Fine Gael TD for Galway West, Sean Kyne.

“It is 26 years since the current Junior Certificate Examination system was introduced and the changes in our society in that time have been vast. These changes have not been reflected in how we examine our secondary school students” says Dan Neville, Fine Gael Party Chairperson and TD for Limerick.

Minister Coveney today welcomed the report produced by Dr Declan O’Connor and Dr Michael Keane that examined the likely Economic Benefits and Infrastructural Requirements arising from the planned dairy expansion in Cork.

Fine Gael TD for Cork North West, Áine Collins, has today (Monday) welcomed the introduction of a new passport card saying it will bring about new efficiencies for business travellers.

The new Vehicle Clamping Bill 2014 should tackle the problem of clamping in private car parks and incentivise car parks to move to a barrier system where people pay upon exit for the exact time they use. Deputy Lawlor made the call while speaking on the new Bill in the Dáil.

I would like to extend my congratulations on behalf of the Irish Government to Alexis Tsipras following his appointment today as Prime Minister of Greece.

“The workforce at viagogo Group in the Kilmurry Business Park, Castletroy, is to double following an announcement today by Richard Bruton, Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation. This is good news for everyone in Limerick and the surrounding area, particularly our cohort of skilled graduates”, says Dan Neville, Fine Gael Party Chairperson and TD for Limerick.

The EU Health Commissioner, Vytenis Andriukaitis came before the Oireachtas Health Committee this week and as rapporteur, Peter Fitzpatrick, Fine Gael TD for Louth and Member of the Oireachtas Health Committee took the opportunity to highlight the obesity problem in Ireland as a key issue.