Fine Gael TD for Sligo-Leitrim, Tony McLoughlin, has welcomed news that US pharmaceutical company Vertex is to re-engage in negotiations with the HSE on Orkambi.

“The €3 million set aside for this Scheme is an important support for the production of protein crops here in Donegal and around Ireland and will be paid to over 1,000 farmers nationally, who are growing in excess of 12,000 ha of beans, peas and lupins. The rate for this year has been set at €246 / ha. “This is a particularly important payment for growers in Donegal, considering the very difficult year experienced by the tillage sector. It also means that the animal feed compounders have a native source of protein available for inclusion in ruminant rations.

The Fine Gael Brexit Response Working Group has met with a number of political parties in Stormont today (Monday) in relation to the challenges presented to the island of Ireland by Brexit.

“The Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Michael Creed TD, has confirmed to me that payments under the 2016 Young Farmers’ Scheme will commence on 1st December which is very positive news for young farmers in County Donegal.

“I am delighted to mark the re-opening of Ireland’s Embassy in Kenya by focusing over the coming days on the strengthening of our political and economic relations and working on the potential for further cooperation and links between Ireland and Kenya. I want to look in particular at the impressive work of Irish missionaries and NGOs over the years in Kenya and the wider region, and to learn more about the opportunities to develop a strong Irish contribution on conflict resolution, drawing lessons from our own experience in Ireland and in Africa.

Fine Gael Minister of State Joe McHugh has welcomed confirmation of €300,000 in funding for Donegal under the 2016 REDZ (Rural Economic Development Zones). “This is the latest in a series of funding schemes which have been announced by the Government which aims to boost economic activity and improve living standards here in Donegal and across rural Ireland.

The Simon Cumbers Media Fund is supported by Irish Aid, the Government’s overseas aid programme, and provides funding to students to travel and report from one of Irish Aid’s partner countries. The Fund provides students with an opportunity to deepen their understanding of developing countries, and facilitates increased coverage of development issues in the media.

“In his attempts today to cast doubt on Government plans to phase out the Universal Social Charge, Micheál Martin reveals the desire of Fianna Fáil to cling to what was an unfair approach to taxation,” says Fine Gael Kildare South TD, Martin Heydon.

On behalf of the Government and the people of Ireland, I am pleased to offer our sincere congratulations to Donald J. Trump on his election as the 45th President of the United States.