Regina Doherty, MEP

Minister McHugh met Congressman Brendan F. Boyle and the Director of the Office of Management and Budget Mick Mulvaney in Washington DC. It follows recent meetings with representatives of Irish immigration centres while in Philadelphia and New York for St Patrick’s Day-related engagements. Those meetings also included contacts with the wider Irish community, including undocumented Irish citizens.

Fine Gael Roscommon Galway Senator Maura Hopkins has welcomed the arrival of Syrian refugees to the Abbeyfield Hotel, Ballaghaderreen.

A net total of 3,679 new full and part-time jobs were delivered in 2016 by the 6,846 small businesses from across the country that have been supported by the Local Enterprise Offices (LEOs), according to the results of the latest LEO annual jobs survey published today by Minister Mary Mitchell O’Connor, T.D.

It is a great honour to be back here again in the most famous House in the world to celebrate St Patrick’s Day, the most special of days for Irish men and women and those of Irish descent everywhere.

Gairmscoil Mhic Diarmada Árainn Mhór is getting funds towards a new woodwork room and associated electrical works. Scoil Mhuire in Buncrana is getting funding for a new technology room. The Department has also told Minister McHugh that emergency works funding has been released to Scoil Phadraig in Bunbeg, Gaoth Dobhair. The money will be used for mechanical works.

Donegal Deputy Joe McHugh has welcomed a €1.1M investment in a new water scheme in Fintown, which is part of a €140M county-wide Irish Water improvement plan. Minister of State McHugh visited Fintown to see the start of the works which will connect the Fintown water supply to the Glenties supply and ensure improved water quality to the Fintown area.

Fine Gael Dublin North West TD Noel Rock has taken on and confronted ticket touts in advance of this weekend’s eagerly anticipated international rugby match. Demand to see Ireland play England at the sold out Aviva stadium has seen prices sky rocket, with touts charging punters up to €1,000 a ticket for Saturday's game.

The Government has released €12M for the next stage of works on the N56, Minister Joe McHugh has announced today. The Donegal TD has also announced the completion of the latest phase of works, the €11.5M route from Boyoughter to Kilkenny stretch of the N56. “I am delighted to announce the completion of Phase 2 of the upgrade of the N56 at Gweebarra,” said Minister McHugh.