Fine Gael Meath West TD and Chairman of the Oireachtas Jobs Committee, Damien English, has said protecting jobs must be the priority when dealing with the large level of debt within the SME sector. Deputy English was responding to the findings of a Central Bank report published yesterday, which shows that 41% of loans owed by the sector are in arrears.

This is one of the truly delightful perks of Ministerial office. I can't remember who it was who described politics as "a cruel trade" but whoever it was missed out on occasions like this, when the Minister gets to be part of the collective celebration of individual achievement.

Speaking following the announcement by Aer Lingus that it will accept the recommendations of the Expert Panel on the IASS pension scheme, Minister for Transport, Tourism & Sport Leo Varadkar said:

To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if his attention has been drawn to the poor standard and quality of broadband and mobile phone technology...

To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if his attention has been drawn to the poor standard and quality of broadband and mobile phone technology...

A special one-off grant of €200,000 for Mountain Rescue Ireland to purchase new vehicles and equipment was announced today by Minister for Transport, Tourism & Sport Leo Varadkar & Minister of State for Tourism & Sport Michael Ring.

Fine Gael Dublin South Central TD, Catherine Byrne, has welcomed assurances from Minister for Social Protection, Joan Burton TD, that the Government has no plans to change the free travel scheme for older people.

Fine Gael TD for Dublin Mid-West, Derek Keating, has, today (Thursday), welcomed assurances from the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government, Phil Hogan TD, that climate change remains a top priority for Government.

Fine Gael Waterford Deputy, Paudie Coffey, has welcomed news that Bausch and Lomb will immediately follow through on their commitment to invest in their Waterford plant. This follows on from the agreement by workers to meet extremely difficult cost saving measures at the plant. The company promised that it would upgrade and invest in the facility in Waterford City as part of the agreement.

Fine Gael Kerry TD, Brendan Griffin, this week raised with the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Simon Coveney TD, the need to take measures to warn farmers of the dangers of slurry gasses.