Fine Gael Meath East TD, Helen McEntee, has today (Friday) welcomed the announcement from the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation, Richard Bruton TD, that Kells is to be included in the list of areas which can receive Government support for businesses and investment under the Regional Aid Map.

The fact that investment aid will now be provided to areas such as Arklow and Kerry should result in a jobs boost for these areas down the line according to Fine Gael MEP candidate for Ireland South, Simon Harris.

The Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation, Richard Bruton TD today (Friday) published the new Regional Aid Map, providing details of areas of the country in which the State can provide investment aid to businesses in order to support new investment and employment, under EU rules.

Speaking at a Seminar on Suicide Prevention today (Friday) in the European Parliament Offices in Dublin, Fine Gael TD, Limerick and President of the Irish Association of Suicidology, Dan Neville, said that stigma is one of the most pervasive problems in dealing with mental health problems.

Minister for Transport, Tourism & Sport Leo Varadkar has joined Tourism Ireland and Fáilte Ireland to congratulate the Burren and Cliffs of Moher Geopark for making the final of the 2014 Tourism for Tomorrow Awards.

Fine Gael Clare TD and Chairman of the Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, Pat Breen, has today (Thursday) said that the issue of immigration reform must not be allowed to slip down the political agenda in the United States. Deputy Breen was speaking after he held a private meeting in the US Embassy with three US politicians, who are in Dublin with the Faith and Politics Institute.

Fine Gael Waterford TD, Paudie Coffey, has welcomed news from the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation, Richard Bruton TD, that the IDA has agreed contracts to deliver a new high spec building development in Waterford, which will be suitable for future IDA client investments.

Cork firm VConnecta to supply campaign software to US political parties

Fine Gael’s digital media campaign for the Local and European Elections is today (Thursday) being launched by the Minister for Children, Frances Fitzgerald TD, and Fine Gael Wicklow TD and European Election Candidate for Ireland South, Simon Harris.

Fine Gael Cork North Central Senator, Colm Burke, has called on the HSE to examine the reasons for the levels of absenteeism in the health service. Senator Burke was speaking after it was confirmed that the rate of absenteeism reduced by only 0.06% between 2012 and 2013, information furnished to him by the HSE following a question he raised at the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health.