Fine Gael Waterford Minister Paudie Coffey has said the new Young Farmer Capital Investment Scheme that was launched by his colleague Minister Simon Coveney TD is a positive initiative that will assist young famers right across County Waterford.

Speech by Brian Hayes MEP to the American Chamber of Commerce in Strasbourg

Seán Kelly, Fine Gael MEP for Ireland South, has called for a strong harmonisation of business regulations to be prioritised in the ongoing EU- US trade or Transatlantic Trade and Investment Agreement (TTIP) negotiations, in order to boost SME growth. Mr Kelly was speaking as Ireland's only member of the Parliament's Trade Committee, ahead of a major TTIP information seminar he is hosting in the European Parliament's Dublin Office on Tuesday, May 26th. Business leaders, elected representatives and media in attendance will receive an overview of the EU-US trade talks, ongoing negotiations, possible outcomes and the potential such a deal holds for Ireland.

Fine Gael Waterford Minister Paudie Coffey has said that he has received confirmation from his colleague the Minister for Justice Frances FitzGerald that the new Waterford City Courthouse is due to go to construction before the end of this year. Minister Coffey said that this is a significant investment in Waterford City and will mean the number of courtrooms trebling from two to six by the time it is completed.

Fine Gael Waterford Minister Paudie Coffey has welcomed the announcement that the framework to support mortgage holders in arrears has been strengthened. Minister Coffey said while the number of people in mortgage difficulties has decreased significantly it is good news that those still in difficulty are being provided with a stronger options to assist them deal with their arrears issues and stay in their own homes.

Fine Gael Waterford Minister Paudie Coffey has said a new tax refund scheme aimed at start-ups will help nurture and develop the culture of entrepreneurship in Ireland. Minister Coffey said the new scheme called called Start Up Refunds for Entrepreneurs (SURE), means entrepreneurs will be able to claim a tax refund of up to 41% of the capital they invest in starting their business.

Fine Gael Waterford Minister Paudie Coffey has said the new Young Farmer Capital Investment Scheme that was launched by his colleague Minister Simon Coveney TD is a positive initiative that will assist young famers right across County Waterford.

Fine Gael MEP for Dublin, Brian Hayes, today (Tuesday) said that new EU VAT rules for digital services need to be amended quickly to reduce administrative burdens for small businesses.

Mr Li Keqiang, Premier of the People’s Republic of China, will visit Ireland on Sunday 17th May 2015 and Monday 18th May.

Fine Gael MEP for Dublin, Brian Hayes, today (Thursday), said that populist proposals to increase tax on high income earners do not make economic sense given Ireland's fair and progressive system of taxation.