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.

Fine Gael Kerry TD and member of the Oireachtas Committee on Transport and Communications, Brendan Griffin, has, today (Thursday) welcomed the announcement that a special one-off grant of €200,000 is to be made available for Mountain Rescue Ireland.

Fine Gael Cork South West TD, Noel Harrington, has today (Thursday) urged all local stakeholders involved in the fisheries and marine sector to engage in the consultation process for a new maritime safety strategy, which has been launched by the Minister for Transport, Leo Varadkar TD.

Fine Gael Cork Senator, Colm Burke, has warned that high insurance costs could lead to private hospital consultants leaving Ireland. Senator Burke raised the issue during an adjournment debate in the Seanad with the Minister for Health, James Reilly TD, this week.

Fine Gael TD for Galway West and Mayo South, Seán Kyne, has today (Thursday), welcomed the news that a new €200,000 Capital Grant Scheme has been launched to provide a once-off grant to Mountain Rescue Teams.

Fine Gael Clare TD and Chairman of the Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, Pat Breen, has welcomed confirmation from the Minister for Transport, Leo Varadkar TD, that a report to be published next month will propose possible changes to the motor tax regime for the haulage industry.