Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Charlie Flanagan, T.D., is in London today (Friday) for talks on Northern Ireland, as well as a series of engagements with representatives of the Irish community there.

"The President of the Eurogroup, Jeroen Dijsselbloem, this morning confirmed that the proposed early repayment of Ireland's IMF bailout loans will be discussed by the Eurogroup, at a meeting next week," Brian Hayes MEP, said in Brussels this morning (Thursday).

Dublin MEP Brian Hayes has been appointed Shadow Rapporteur on the Money Market Funds proposal to be reviewed by the Economic and Monetary Affairs Committee (ECON) in the European Parliament.

Fine Gael Donegal South West TD Dinny McGinley, has today (Wednesday) expressed his sympathy and condolences on the death of former Fine Gael TD Jim White.

The Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation, Richard Bruton TD today (Wednesday) welcomed the publication of the latest World Economic Forum Global Competitiveness Index 2014-15, showing Ireland up three places in the rankings to 25th. This is Ireland’s best ranking in this index since 2009.

Taoiseach Enda Kenny expresses regret on the passing of former TD Jim White.

Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Charlie Flanagan, TD, highlighted the need for compromise and trust across party divides in Northern Ireland when he addressed the Kennedy Summer School in New Ross this afternoon.

The Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation, Richard Bruton TD, today (Thursday) welcomed the latest in a line of positive international reports on Ireland’s competitiveness, as a new European Commission report placed Ireland in the first rank of EU countries for competitiveness, alongside the Netherlands, Germany and Denmark.

Fine Gael candidate for the Roscommon/South Leitrim bye- election, Cllr Maura Hopkins, has urged new Health Minister Leo Varadkar to expedite plans to put the pilot air ambulance service on a permanent footing.

He was a man of strong principles and a deep religious conviction who was the voice of many people from his tradition. He was admired by many for his resolute spirit and his strength of purpose.