“If we are to believe the opposition, rural Ireland is desolate, lacking in innovation and generally to be pitied. As a resident of rural Ireland this is not what I see and experience”, says Tom Barry, Fine Gael TD for Cork East.

The Minister for European Affairs and Fine Gael TD for Cork North Central, Dara Murphy, is today (Friday) hosting his French counterpart, Minister Harlem Désir.

Following the recent launch of Irish beef in the US for the first time in more than 15 years, Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Simon Coveney TD, today welcomed the announcement by An Taoiseach Enda Kenny T.D., that China has also lifted its ban on Irish beef.

The Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Simon Coveney, TD, today announced the opening this week of the on-line application facility for both the Basic Payment Scheme (BPS) and the Greening Payment Scheme.

Minister Jimmy Deenihan, Fine Gael TD for Kerry especially welcomed the approval to recruit a third ED Consultant and Consultant Podiatrist for Kerry General Hospital in Tralee.

Our job in Government is to secure the recovery for all the people of Ireland. We still have far too many families who have yet to feel the benefits of recovery, which means our job is far from done.

Fine Gael TD for Kildare South, Martin Heydon, would like Fianna Fáil to confirm what it believes is an acceptable level of staffing for the Irish Defence Forces. Deputy Heydon was responding to criticism by Fianna Fáil’s Justice Spokesperson, Niall Collins of the Government’s decision to maintain Defence Force numbers at 9,500.

Fine Gael Cork North Central Senator, Colm Burke, has welcomed the news that a National Office for Rare Disease is currently being established in the HSE.

Following many difficult years for the Irish people the economy is now moving further into recovery.

“A €300 million investment fund from the Housing Finance Agency and the European Investment Bank will be used to provide 2,000 social housing units over the next three years. Housing of this kind is badly needed in Cobh, Youghal, Midleton, Carrigtwohill, Mallow, Fermoy, Mitchelstown and many rural areas”, says David Stanton, Fine Gael TD for Cork East.