Speaking in the Seanad, Government Chief Whip and Senator for Kerry, Paul Coghlan, said that a recent case where a school objected to a fast food restaurant being established close to its premises highlights the importance of planning policies and the Healthy Ireland strategy working together.

“The latest CSO figures show that there has been a 12.8% jump in the number of tourists coming to Ireland in the first ten months of the year compared to 2014. These figures are extremely positive and highlight again the importance of offering value for money”, says Fine Gael TD and member of the Oireachtas Committee on Transport and Communications, Brendan Griffin.

Ireland South, Fine Gael MEP, Deirdre Clune has called for special training for judges and Gardaí on domestic violence. Speaking in a debate in the European Parliament, MEP Clune said that too many incidents of domestic violence in Ireland are going unreported.

Speaking in the Seanad today (Tuesday), Government Chief Whip, Paul Coghlan welcomed the news that Budget 2016 has been found broadly compliant with the rules of the Stability and Growth Pact at a Eurogroup discussion and says that this stability is facilitating improvements in services.

“Dundalk’s Clarke Station currently serves over 1,000 commuters every day and I have no doubt that this will increase as services expand”, says Fine Gael TD for Louth, Peter Fitzpatrick.

Fine Gael TD for Cork North Central, and Minister for European Affairs, Dara Murphy, has today (Tuesday) welcomed the launch of proposals by the Office of Public Works (OPW) to deal with the flooding problems in Blackpool. Minister Murphy said there will be an opportunity for members of the local community to share their concerns about the flooding issue at the public exhibition of the River Bride Blackpool Certified Drainage Scheme, in the local Community Centre, 90 Great William O'Brien Street, Blackpool.