To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if she will confirm if there is a policy in place whereby a definite percentage of students sitting each Leaving Certificate subject will fail every year; if so, if this a set figure, or does it change according to the year in question; if this decision is made before the paper is given to the students; her views that this policy discourages students from taking particular subjects, such as honours maths, which will have a negative impact on project maths; and if she will make a statement on the matter.

Fine Gael Dublin MEP, Brian Hayes has welcomed new proposals from the European Commission, which explore how EU citizens can have greater access to mortgage products in other Member States.

Fine Gael Senator for Louth/Meath East, Jim D’Arcy has welcomed the call by the Minister for Foreign Affairs Charlie Flanagan for a taskforce on cross-border crime to be established as part of any new northern agreement.

“Dundalk’s Clarke Station has been named Overall Best Train Station in Ireland at the annual Iarnród Éireann Best Station Awards”, says Fine Gael TD for Louth, Peter Fitzpatrick. The Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, Paschal Donohoe, today (Monday), presented the award for Iarnród Éireann Best Station to Dundalk.

Operation Thor has been in the planning by An Garda Síochána for several months and is being launched following recent announcements regarding investment in policing.

Speaking ahead of the Chamber of Commerce Dinner in Waterford on Friday in The Tower Hotel Fine Gael Waterford Minister Paudie Coffey said that; “After many years of a difficult business environment in Waterford; it is now improving with jobs being created, tax credits for self-employed being introduced and taxes on work being reduced.

Fine Gael Waterford Minister Paudie Coffey has said that Irish Water has and will invest over €50 million in water infrastructure in Waterford City and County. Minister Coffey said that water infrastructure is critical to build capacity which helps secure investments that create jobs in the long term.

Anthony Lawlor TD has today (Wednesday) expressed his disappointment that an arbitration process which concerns the development of the Naas Town Centre has again been deferred until the new year. This is due to the lack of arbitrators in the State.

Anthony Lawlor TD has today (Wednesday) expressed his disappointment that an arbitration process which concerns the development of the Naas Town Centre has again been deferred until the new year. This is due to the lack of arbitrators in the State.

To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if, as a result of the population increase in the Johnstownbridge and Enfield areas in County Kildare, she has given consideration to the establishment of a secondary school for this locality; and if she will make a statement on the matter.