Fine Gael Dublin South Central TD, has today (Thursday) welcomed figures released by Dublin Port Company showing a 7.3% increase in export and import trade for the year to date. Ferry passenger numbers are also up 5.5%.

Fine Gael Dublin MEP Brian Hayes has said today (Thursday) said that a programme funded by the European Investment Bank (EIB) on Social Housing in Ireland will be of significant benefit to Dublin as the city battles with housing shortages.

Fine Gael MEPs Sean Kelly, Mairead McGuinness and Deirdre Clune will travel to Belfast on Friday, October 10th to host a series of meetings with leading politicians, community groups and those involved in the EU funding programmes.

Fine Gael Cork South West TD, Noel Harrington, has today (Thursday) called for the National Broadband Plan to prioritise rural areas, as they cannot wait another six years. Deputy Harrington was speaking after a meeting of the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport and Communications, where members received a briefing from officials in the Department of Communications, Energy & Natural Resources and the Commission of the Communications Regulation (ComReg).

Fine Gael TD for Meath East, Regina Doherty, says a new plan aimed at creating 93,000 jobs, launched today (Thursday), by Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation, Richard Bruton TD, Minister of State for Skills, Research and Innovation, Damien English TD and Minister of State for Business and Employment, Ged Nash TD, should act as a kick-start for local entrepreneurs.

A new plan aimed at creating an extra 93,000 jobs from start-up companies in the next five years was today launched by Minister for Jobs Richard Bruton TD together with Minister of State for Business and Employment Ged Nash TD and Minister of State for Skills, Research and Innovation Damien English TD.

Fine Gael Dublin Fingal TD, Alan Farrell, has today (Thursday) launched the report of the Oireachtas Justice Committee on the review of the Garda Síochána Act 2005. The report recommends the appointment of a single Garda Ombudsman.

Fine Gael Dun Laoghaire TD, Mary Mitchell O’Connor, has today (Thursday), on World Sight Day, highlighted the need for increased early detection and intervention of blindness and eye diseases in Ireland as 75% to 80% of sight loss cases are avoidable.

changes in the school curriculum are required or have been identified as necessary in order to facilitate work place requirements

expects to be in a position to address the issue of class sizes in the course of the next two years at primary and post-primary level with particular reference to those schools