Fine Gael Meath West TD, Ray Butler, has today (Wednesday) welcomed the passing of the Companies Bill through the Oireachtas, saying it will ease the burden of red tape on small business.

Fine Gael Carlow/ Kilkenny TD, Pat Deering, has said today (Wednesday) he is delighted that stakeholders in the dairy sector will come before the Committee on Agriculture early in the New Year to discuss their plans to deal with price volatility and to capitalise on opportunities in the dairy sector in 2015.

“Dublin needs a supervised drug injection centre”, says Fine Gael Dublin South Central TD, Catherine Byrne, speaking in support of The Ana Liffey Drug Project’s proposal for the first ever medically supervised drug injection centre in Ireland.

Fine Gael TD for Galway West and Chair of the Fine Gael Committee on Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, Sean Kyne, has welcomed the opening of the competition for the European Capital of Culture 2020, saying it is a huge opportunity for Galway and the West.

2014 was another strong year for overseas tourism, with about 7.3 million visitors (+8.8% growth over 2013) contributing almost €3.6 billion (+9%) in revenue to the economy

Minister of State Joe McHugh TD, commenting on today’s announcement: “I welcome confirmation from the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Simon Coveney TD, that following discussions with the European Commission, a total of €123 million in value of quotas was secured for the whitefish fishermen, an increase from last year.

Representatives of the hospitality sector say that Sinn Féin’s tax proposals would cause ‘devastation’ to their industry, says Fine Gael TD for Limerick, Patrick O’Donovan. Deputy O’Donovan was speaking after a session of the Oireachtas Transport and Communications Committee, attended by the Irish Hotels Federation and the Drinks Industry Group Ireland.

“Finding your feet in a new country can be extremely difficult. Emigrants can suffer from severe loneliness and depression, and it is important that the support they need is available” says Dan Neville, Fine Gael TD for Limerick and President of the Irish Association of Suicidology.

Fine Gael Cork South West TD, Noel Harrington, has said that the provision of an additional €850,000 for Fáilte Ireland, much of which will be invested in developing the web presence of the Wild Atlantic Way (WAW), is great news for tourism in West Cork.

“A new Business Development Group (BDG) has been established to find new opportunities for local post offices which are at the centre of our communities” says Peter Fitzpatrick.