Regina Doherty, MEP

Michael Healy Rae failed to support the emergency 9% VAT rate from day one, Fine Gael Kerry Minister of State, Brendan Griffin has said.

The self-employed are set to become eligible for Jobseeker’s Benefit in 2019, a Fine Gael Senator has said.

Chairperson of the Oireachtas Communications Committee Hildegarde Naughton has welcomed the retention of a nine-percent VAT rate for newspapers, and a reduction of the rate to nine percent for online publications.

Today I present my second Budget to this house and to the Irish people as the Minister for Finance and Public Expenditure and Reform. A decade on from the financial and economic crisis that wrought havoc with the lives and aspirations of so many of our citizens, I can report that our economy is again growing strongly and sustainably.

On the eve of Budget 2019, Fine Gael has called out as reckless and irresponsible the tax, borrow and spend promises made by Sinn Féin, the Labour Party, the Social Democrats and the Green Party in their alternative budgets published last week.  

Connacht Rugby has revealed plans for a €30-million redevelopment of the Sportsground, which will transform its home into a top-class 12,000-capacity stadium and high-performance training centre.

Mary Mitchell O’Connor T.D., Minister of State at the Department of Education and Skills, with special responsibility for Higher Education has today (4th October 2018) brought together higher education representatives, students unions and other stakeholders for a workshop on consent and tackling sexual violence in third level education.

Castletroy-based Limerick Senator, Kieran O’Donnell, has welcomed the announcement of 600 new jobs for the area.

The focus of Brexit talks must now return to hammering out a deal in the coming days, a Fine Gael Senator has said.