Heather Humphreys, TD

Fine Gael Cork South West TD, Noel Harrington, has welcomed the publication of the initial report of the Post Office Business Development Group and has called on interested groups to take part in the consultation process on the report.

Fine Gael Party Chairperson, and Limerick TD, Dan Neville, has welcomed the Industrial Relations Amendment Act, which he debated in the Dáil recently.

Fine Gael Dublin South Central, TD Catherine Byrne, has said that work is the best way out of welfare and that while the ESRI report published today (Tuesday) confirms this, it also highlights that we must do more to incentivise and support parents to work.

Fine Gael TD for Meath West, Ray Butler, has said that there has been great progress on the Ireland’s Ancient East tourism initiative and has encouraged local groups and businesses to apply for the first phase of capital grants to develop visitor experiences. Deputy Butler was speaking on receipt of an update on the project from Fáilte Ireland.

Fine Gael TD for Longford/ Westmeath, Gabrielle McFadden, has welcomed the news that the major refurbishment and extension works planned at Mullingar Courthouse came a step closer today (Monday) following the announcement by the Justice Minister, Frances Fitzgerald, that a joint venture company has been identified to deliver the project.

Fine Gael Dublin South Central TD, Catherine Byrne, has welcomed the creation of 20 new jobs in the Digital Hub in Dublin 8. The news comes as the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation announces 185 new jobs in 6 IDA Ireland client companies across the country today (Monday).

The Government will tomorrow (Tuesday) consider a trial abolition of one and two cent coins, which will see prices rounded to the nearest five-cent unit. This development came following Senator Catherine Noone’s call for this scheme to be expanded nationally just last week.

“UPC’s decision to axe its payments system through the post office network nation-wide is causing distress for some of its rural customers and the company needs to show some leeway in the transition period”, according to Fine Gael Carlow Kilkenny TD, John Paul Phelan.

Fine Gael TD for Louth, Peter Fitzpatrick, has said that while he is very concerned about the news that a suspected case of BSE has been detected in county Louth, he is relieved that there is no human risk.