“The latest CSO data shows that the number of visitors coming to Ireland has increased by 10.3% compared to the same period last year, this includes a jump in the number of people travelling to the North-East”, says Peter Fitzpatrick, Fine Gael TD for Louth.

Fine Gael TD for Laois/Offaly and Chairperson of the Oireachtas Jobs Committee, Marcella Corcoran Kennedy, has called on Renua to clarify how increasing Local Property Tax (LPT) in rural Ireland, in order to ease the burden on urban areas, will help rural communities.

Roscommon Hospital Fine Gael TD for Roscommon/ South Leitrim, Frank Feighan, has definitively stated that Roscommon Hospital is safer than ever before. He also stated that, as a result of investments made at the hospital in the last four years, the future of the hospital has never been more secure.

To ask the Minister for Education and Skills when the patronage determination process will commence for the new primary school in the Goatstown/Stillorgan area in County Dublin; the timeframe for this process; and if she will make a statement on the matter?

I am not sure how many times over the years I have spoken on the topic of electoral or political reform but it has certainly been many times and the matter has been brought up repeatedly in different guises and by different Governments and Opposition.

Fine Gael Meath West TD, Ray Butler, has welcomed what he terms “long overdue supports for children with Down syndrome”, following the announcement by Minister for Education and Skills, Jan O’Sullivan of an allocation of resource teacher support to children with Down syndrome.

“Cheaper loans for farmers and others involved in rural development will boost farmers’ ability to develop their business by assisting with development of farm buildings and provide for further investment in equipment”, says Andrew Doyle, Chairman of the Oireachtas Agriculture Committee and Fine Gael TD for Wicklow. This funding has been made available as a result of a new memorandum of understanding agreed between the EU and the European Investment Bank this week.

Fine Gael MEP for Dublin, Brian Hayes, has today (Wednesday) expressed disappointment that the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC) has refused to conduct an inquiry into excessive variable mortgage rates charged by Irish banks.

Brian Hayes MEP today took the opportunity during a European Parliament debate to state that the European Commission should investigate effective corporate tax rates employed by countries rather than focusing on harmonising tax policies.

Fine Gael Waterford Minister Paudie Coffey has welcomed the news that the extension for Kilmacthomas Primary School has gone to tender. Minister Coffey said this project will see a new beginning for the school and lead to a better learning environment for the pupils of Kilmacthomas Primary School.