Heather Humphreys, TD

Fine Gael TD, John O’Mahony, has been in contact with Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation, Richard Burton TD, and has requested that full support be provided from Government agencies following the news that Ballinrobe based Irish Pride bakery has gone into receivership with a risk to approximately sixty jobs.

Fine Gael Senator for Louth, Jim D’Arcy, has welcomed the OPW award for coastal flooding defence fund and an erosion risk management study for Louth.

Fine Gael TD for Kildare South, Martin Heydon, has today (Thursday) raised the matter of Naas Hospital in the Dáil with Minister for Health Leo Varadkar. He received a commitment from the Minister in relation to protecting Naas Hospital against additional demands due to any possible changes at Portlaoise Hospital and he also called for additional capacity at Naas.

Fine Gael Cork North Central Senator, Colm Burke, has said that kidney donors should apply for the compensation scheme set up late last year, to reimburse them for their expenses and loss of earnings.

Fine Gael TD for Louth, Peter Fitzpatrick, has welcomed the allocation of €114,300 for minor flood mitigation and coastal protection works in Louth.

Speaking at the European Parliament in Strasbourg today (Thursday), Dublin MEP Brian Hayes said that the Irish government needs to be a leading voice within the EU Council to abolish roaming charges.

The Wild Atlantic Way (WAW) is to get a further boost next year after Fáilte Ireland confirmed to Fine Gael TD for Cork South West, Jim Daly, that it will consider implementing a WAW "passport" in next year’s work programme.

Fine Gael TD for Donegal, Dinny McGinley has welcomed the announcement of over €1.2 million in funding for energy efficiency projects to be carried out in Donegal.

Fine Gael TD for Mayo, Michelle Mulherin, has welcomed confirmation she has received that the temporary reinstatement of discretionary cards will be extended by a further 12 months, until the end of July 2016. This relates to discretionary medical card holders whose cards were lost between July 2011 and May 2014 and whose cards were subsequently re-issued until 31st July 2015. Deputy Mulherin received the confirmation from Minister of State at the Department of Health, Kathleen Lynch in response to a parliamentary question she tabled on the matter.

Fine Gael Senator for Kerry, Tom Sheahan, has welcomed the 9.4% drop in live register figures over the past year but has also highlighted that we can’t afford to become complacent.