Fine Gael Waterford Minister Paudie Coffey has announced €255,000 for group water and group sewerage schemes for Waterford in 2015. Minister Coffey said he expected that vital projects such as Blenheim Sewerage Scheme can progress quickly and draw down the funding as soon as possible.

Cllr David FitzGerald, Fine Gael Bye Election Candidate for Carlow/Kilkenny has said today that 11 new housing projects are to begin in Carlow/Kilkenny, a total investment of over €25 million as part of the first phase of the Government’s Social Housing Strategy.

Dara Murphy, Fine Gael TD for Cork North Central and Minister of State for European Affairs and Data Protection has welcomed this week’s announcement by Minister for Transport Paschal Donohoe TD of a review into airport charge regulation. He said that this news along with the latest tourism figures from the CSO, are good news for Cork Airport.

Speaking at the European Parliament in Strasbourg this week, Fine Gael Dublin MEP, Brian Hayes said new information from the EU highlights that we in Ireland need to do more in offering refuge to those seeking asylum. Part of that must be to look again at a binding quota system in light of the disaster in the Mediterranean.

Longford/Westmeath Fine Gael TD, Gabrielle McFadden, has welcomed the news that the €4million upgrade of the A&E at the Midland Regional Hospital in Mullingar is set to start shortly.

To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if a change to the payment system for public sector pensions is being considered; if so, the measures that are being proposed; and if he will make a statement on the matter?

“Today’s housing announcement for Bluebell signifies a new beginning for the 19 families who have recently moved into their new homes”, says Fine Gael Dublin South Central TD, Catherine Byrne.

Fine Gael Ireland South MEP and member of the EU Transport Committee, Deirdre Clune, has said that we should harness the potential of drones, but look to regulate some of their negative uses. Speaking in advance of a debate in the European Parliament on drone technology, Deirdre Clune said that drones could revolutionise rural Ireland.

Fine Gael Senator for Dublin South-West, Cáit Keane, has said that unused upper floor commercial space in Dublin could help to reduce the numbers of people currently in emergency accommodation. Senator Keane was speaking after figures released today (Thursday) by the Dublin Region Homeless Executive show that the rough sleeper figures for Dublin are down 38% but the numbers in emergency accommodation is not decreasing.

“Clarification on the rules for land eligibility under the Direct Payment Schemes will protect farmers’ payments”, says Tony McLoughlin, Fine Gael TD for Sligo Leitrim. Deputy McLoughlin was speaking ahead of an information meeting to take place in the Bush Hotel, Carrick-on-Shannon tomorrow (Thursday 30th April) at 8pm.