Fine Gael TD for Laois/Offaly and Chair of the Oireachtas Jobs Committee, Marcella Corcoran Kennedy, has today (Friday), urged banks to make funding available to SMEs through the Strategic Banking Corporation of Ireland (SBCI) after the Minister for Finance, Michael Noonan TD and the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, Brendan Howlin TD announced the formal release of €800 million in funding.

Fine Gael TD for Louth, Peter Fitzpatrick, has demanded that Sinn Féin leader Gerry Adams expose suspected child sex abusers who were expelled out of Northern Ireland by Sinn Féin / IRA and moved into border counties, including Co. Louth, in order to avoid publicity and the full rigours of the law.

The Government is to provide an additional €1 million to the UN to fight Ebola in West Africa, Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Charlie Flanagan and Minister of State for Development, Trade Promotion, and North-South Co-operation Sean Sherlock, announced today.

Fine Gael Senator for Dublin, Catherine Noone, has spoken about the true cost of littering to Dublin and the need to make polluters pay.

Fine Gael TD for Cork North West, Áine Collins, has advised SMEs to apply for funding from their bank following news that €800 million in funding is being made available to lenders through the Strategic Banking Corporation of Ireland (SBCI).

Fine Gael TD for Longford Westmeath, Gabrielle McFadden, has said the news that 100 new jobs are to be created in Athlone by medical devices company Teleflex, is clear evidence that this Government is fulfilling its commitment to regional job creation and investment.

Fine Gael TD for Dublin Fingal and member of the Oireachtas Justice Committee, Alan Farrell, has today (Thursday), called for an increased focus on justice in rapidly growing areas as more resources become available.

Fine Gael TD for Kildare North, Anthony Lawlor, has today (Thursday) highlighted that only 4% of civil servants are aged 30 or under and that the Government’s Civil Service Renewal Plan provides a real opportunity to re- energise the civil service.

Fine Gael TD for Carlow Kilkenny, John Paul Phelan, today (Thursday) said the Government’s National Broadband Plan is delivering, as demonstrated by announcements this week which will see broadband provided to at least 500,000 homes and businesses across the country.

Fine Gael Cork North Central Senator, Colm Burke, has today (Thursday), called on the HSE to maintain the high numbers of people receiving respite care. Senator Burke was speaking after the release of HSE figures showing that 6,208 people benefitted from residential centre based respite services last year.