Fine Gael TD Anthony Lawlor for Kildare North has said that a 12% drop in the Live Register since the launch of the Action Plan for Jobs in 2012 indicates the steady growth in the economy in Kildare.

The Taoiseach today begins a two-day visit to France where he will meet with President François Hollande, and with leading Irish and French business people in both Paris and Lyon.

Fine Gael TD for Kildare North, Anthony Lawlor, is appealing to Irish people to unite in offering assistance to Syrian refugees in their homes and premises.

Progress is being made on the planning application by Applegreen to build a service station at the old Cemex site, Maudlins Roundabout. A request for substantial further information was sought by the Council in early August and I will be strongly supporting this application at every stage. If planning is approved, the site will contain a shop (including an off licence), a food court and restaurant, along with children's play area and 24 hour facilities for drivers. Not only would this development aesthetically improve the approach to Naas but will also create up to 100 jobs.

Progress is being made on the planning application by Applegreen to build a service station at the old Cemex site, Maudlins Roundabout. A request for substantial further information was sought by the Council in early August and I will be strongly supporting this application at every stage. If planning is approved, the site will contain a shop (including an off licence), a food court and restaurant, along with children's play area and 24 hour facilities for drivers. Not only would this development aesthetically improve the approach to Naas but will also create up to 100 jobs.

Today’s exchequer figures provide clear evidence that the jobs based recovery is working, according to Fine Gael TD for Wicklow/East Carlow, Andrew Doyle. Deputy Doyle was speaking following the announcement of the end of August Exchequer Statement by the Minister for Finance, Michael Noonan TD.

Fine Gael TD for Louth, Fergus O’Dowd, has said that 80 new jobs for Drogheda show the economic recovery is beginning to take hold locally

Peter Fitzpatrick, Fine Gael TD for Louth, has said that the announcement by the Minister for Jobs, Richard Bruton TD that a new distillery and visitor centre will open in the Drogheda. The Boann Distillery and Visitor Centre will incorporate a whiskey distillery; Boyne Brewhouse craft brewery and taproom; a visitor centre which will host distillery and brewery tours; a 120 seater restaurant; whiskey bar; private event space; and a gift shop.

Fine Gael Senator for Cork North Central, Colm Burke, has welcomed the amendment of the Building Control Regulations for new single dwellings on a single development unit and domestic extensions. The amendment came into effect on September 1st. The new regulations will allow owners/builders to opt out of the statutory certification. They will however, still have to demonstrate full compliance with building regulations.

Fine Gael Ireland South MEP Deirdre Clune, a negotiator on the EU employment budget team, is pushing for a half a billion euro increase in the EU budgets to tackle youth unemployment across the EU. Speaking after a budgets meeting in the European Parliament today, MEP Clune described the funding as critical to getting our young people back to work.