Today’s exchequer figures provide clear evidence that the jobs based recovery is working, according to Fine Gael TD for Wicklow/East Carlow, Andrew Doyle. Deputy Doyle was speaking following the announcement of the end of August Exchequer Statement by the Minister for Finance, Michael Noonan TD.

Fine Gael TD for Louth, Fergus O’Dowd, has said that 80 new jobs for Drogheda show the economic recovery is beginning to take hold locally

Peter Fitzpatrick, Fine Gael TD for Louth, has said that the announcement by the Minister for Jobs, Richard Bruton TD that a new distillery and visitor centre will open in the Drogheda. The Boann Distillery and Visitor Centre will incorporate a whiskey distillery; Boyne Brewhouse craft brewery and taproom; a visitor centre which will host distillery and brewery tours; a 120 seater restaurant; whiskey bar; private event space; and a gift shop.

Fine Gael Senator for Cork North Central, Colm Burke, has welcomed the amendment of the Building Control Regulations for new single dwellings on a single development unit and domestic extensions. The amendment came into effect on September 1st. The new regulations will allow owners/builders to opt out of the statutory certification. They will however, still have to demonstrate full compliance with building regulations.

Fine Gael Ireland South MEP Deirdre Clune, a negotiator on the EU employment budget team, is pushing for a half a billion euro increase in the EU budgets to tackle youth unemployment across the EU. Speaking after a budgets meeting in the European Parliament today, MEP Clune described the funding as critical to getting our young people back to work.

Yesterday I received the final draft of the Interim Report of the Commission of Investigation that focused on the events leading up to the retirement of then Garda Commissioner Martin Callinan in March of 2014, and on the handling of a letter of 10 March 2014 from the then Commissioner to the Department of Justice.

“After a long and difficult period of reflection, I have decided that I will not contest the upcoming Fine Gael selection convention for the Dublin Rathdown constituency.