Clare Fine Gael Senator, Martin Conway, has today (Wednesday) described 2013 as a hugely successful year for tourism in Clare.

Cork South Central Fine Gael TD, Jerry Buttimer, has said that the expansion by Aer Lingus Regional at Cork Airport reaffirms its status as Ireland’s second airport and a key transport link for the Munster region. Deputy Buttimer was commenting following an announcement by Aer Lingus Regional of an increase in capacity of 25% at Cork Airport.

The Taoiseach, Enda Kenny TD and the British Prime Minister, David Cameron will jointly visit a number of First World War graves and memorials in Flanders, Belgium this morning.

Fine Gael Cork North West TD, Aine Collins, has today (Thursday) warmly welcomed the announcement that Aer Lingus Regional is to expand its services at Cork Airport, including extra routes and 50,000 extra seats for summer 2014.

Fine Gael Meath East TD and member of the Oireachtas Health Committee, Regina Doherty, has today (Wednesday) congratulated the Lourdes Hospital in Drogheda for achieving a 92% compliance level for hand hygiene.

Fine Gael Meath West TD, Ray Butler, has today (Wednesday) welcomed more than €116,000 being allocated to 13 organisations in Meath to provide a range of services, including supports for elderly people, youth work and alcohol and drug treatment. The funding has been allocated by the Department of Health through National Lottery grants.

The Minister for Health, Dr James Reilly TD, today (Wednesday 18 December) welcomed the publication of the Health Service National Service Plan 2014. The plan sets out the type and volume of health and social services to be provided in the course of 2014.

Fine Gael Cork South West Deputy, Jim Daly, has today (Wednesday) welcomed confirmation from the Minister for Social Protection, Joan Burton TD, that recruitment for the Gateway scheme, which is a Cork-based initiative to provide short-term work for the unemployed, will begin in January. Deputy Daly raised the matter in a Parliamentary Question to Minister Burton.

Cork South Central Fine Gael TD and Chairperson of the Oireachtas Committee on Health and Children, Jerry Buttimer, has welcomed the awarding of over €350,000 to Cork based groups as part of the latest round of National Lottery grants, as announced by the Minister for Health, Dr James Reilly, TD.

Fine Gael Tipperary TD, Noel Coonan, has this evening (Thursday) welcomed the announcement that Tipperary Regional Youth Services (TRYS) and Cappa White National School are set to share in €15,000 in funding under a National Lottery grants. The funding has been announced by the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs, Frances Fitzgerald TD.