Fine Gael TD for Dún Laoghaire and Chairperson of the Internal Fine Gael Education Committee Mary Mitchell O’Connor, says the announcement of smaller class sizes and more teachers in Budget 2016 are very positive measures.

Fine Gael TD for Louth, Fergus O’Dowd, has said he is shocked and appalled by the murder of Garda Anthony Golden.

Fine Gael TD for Dún Laoghaire, Mary Mitchell O’Connor, says the murder of Garda Tony Golden is a shocking tragedy.

Fine Gael TD for Cork South West, Jim Daly, has noted the Department of Finance data for August revealing that long term mortgage arrears have decreased for four months in a row.

Minister of State Joe McHugh TD, has said that funding of over €1 million for sports clubs and organisations in Donegal is great news and a great boost for local communities.

Fine Gael Clare Senator, Martin Conway, has welcomed today’s announcement by the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Simon Coveney, of plans for a new agri-environment scheme for the Burren.

Deputy Anthony Lawlor: In 2013, 7,500 people put pen to paper and made submissions to the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government about wind energy guidelines. Those guidelines have been moved to the Minister's Department, although I did not realise he would be here today. There are people waiting for the guidelines to be put in place.

Deputy Anthony Lawlor: In 2013, 7,500 people put pen to paper and made submissions to the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government about wind energy guidelines. Those guidelines have been moved to the Minister's Department, although I did not realise he would be here today. There are people waiting for the guidelines to be put in place.

Fine Gael TD for Cork South Central, Jerry Buttimer has said today (Thursday) that new routes and increased capacity announced for Cork Airport, is great news for Cork city and county, as well as the wider Munster region.

Like others, I welcome the opportunity to contribute on this debate as it is important that we discuss the economy. We do not get many opportunities to do so. Before I was elected in 2011, I was given a brief tour around a major multinational in Leixlip, Intel. I was impressed by the staff, their youth and their quality. I asked one of the managers whether the staff represented the key reason for Intel staying in Leixlip.