Fine Gael TD for Cavan/Monaghan, Sean Conlan has welcomed the launch of a €320 million investment package for the Border, Midland and Western Region backed by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF).

Fine Gael TD for Wexford and Chairman of the Oireachtas Finance Committee, Liam Twomey, said today (Friday) the Minister for Finance, Michael Noonan, is to begin a public consultation on the tax barriers facing small business and entrepreneurs. The tax treatment of small businesses and the self-employed isone of the key concerns highlighted during Fine Gael’s Standing up for Small Business campaign.

Fine Gael TD for Louth, Peter Fitzpatrick, has welcomed the European Commission’s formal approval for Ireland's €2 billion Rural Development Programme 2014-2020, under the revised Common Agriculture Policy (CAP).

Dara Murphy, Minister for European Affairs and Fine Gael TD for Cork North Central, has welcomed today’s decision by An Bord Pleanala to grant planning permission to the Port of Cork, for a new container facility near the Ringaskiddy ferry terminal and an extension to the deep-water berth.

Speaking on the sale of Aer Lingus to IAG, Fine Gael TD for Cavan/Monaghan, Joe O’Reilly outlined to the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, Paschal Donohoe, his concern for the many people who commute to work in Dublin Airport.

“Sinn Féin is effectively lying to the people of Carlow with its two faced stance on the sugar beet industry; supporting it here at home and all the while, undermining it in Europe,” says Fine Gael TD for Carlow-Kilkenny, Pat Deering.

Aer Lingus has a long history and a close association with the State. For 70 of the nearly 80 years of its existence, it was State owned and although a majority stake in the airline was privatised some nine years ago, it still has a special place in the hearts of the Irish people.

Fine Gael TD for Wicklow/East Carlow and Chairman of the Oireachtas Agriculture Committee, Andrew Doyle, has today called for improved farm safety awareness for our children and has called on the Minister for Education, Jan O’Sullivan to consider introducing a farm safety module on the primary school curriculum for primary schools.

Fine Gael, Dublin MEP, Brian Hayes, today (Thursday) accompanied an EU tax delegation to Dublin which is seeking to examine Ireland's corporate tax system. Speaking during the delegation visit, Mr. Hayes commented that an EU Commission proposal to introduce a common corporate tax base, which is expected to be released next month, must respect the principles of sovereignty enshrined in the EU treaties.

Fine Gael MEP for Ireland South, and former GAA President, Sean Kelly, has called for "long overdue change" at the helm of FIFA - soccer's international governing body - following reports that seven serving FIFA officials have been arrested in Switzerland on corruption charges. Those arrested included two vice-presidents and did not include FIFA President Sepp Blatter.