Heather Humphreys, TD

Fine Gael Cork North Central TD, Minister of State for European Affairs, Dara Murphy, has welcomed a European Commission report published this week which confirmed that the EU-US Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP) would remove significant barriers currently faced by SMEs when trying to trade with the US.

Ahead of the Fianna Fáil Ard Fhéis this weekend, Fine Gael Cork North-West TD, Áine Collins, has questioned the party’s position on the issue of women candidates, saying “it would be no country for young women under Fianna Fáil.”

Fine Gael Waterford Minister Paudie Coffey TD has welcomed the announcement of 100 IDA supported jobs for Portlaw. Minister Coffey said that this was another example of the Regional Jobs Plan working and shows us that the recovery is now taking hold in rural towns and villages right across Ireland.

The need for changes to the layout of ballot papers used in elections has been raised in Dáil Éireann, today, by Cork East Fine Gael TD David Stanton. In response to Deputy Stanton’s suggestions, Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government, Alan Kelly TD said that he would examine the issue.

Fine Gael Parliamentary Party Chairperson and TD for Limerick, Dan Neville, has said that “there is an urgent need to end discrimination against the self- employed and Fine Gael will do it.”

“The newly appointed Minister for Drugs could examine the option of medically supervised injection centres”, says Fine Gael TD for Dublin South Central, Catherine Byrne.

Fine Gael TD for Longford/ Westmeath, Gabrielle McFadden, has welcomed the news that the HSE is to honour its commitment to fill 90 posts at the Midlands Regional Hospital in Mullingar

Today’s announcement concerns a significant R&D activity in Dublin, to explore fundamental aspects of consumer behaviour and their relationship with online shopping, and we are delighted that you have chosen to come to Ireland to carry it out.

Fine Gael MEP for Dublin, Brian Hayes has today (Wednesday) said that tomorrow's EU Council Meeting is a test for European solidarity. Europe must speak and act as one in the face of the humanitarian disaster in the Mediterranean. The Fine Gael MEP made his comments as European leaders are due to arrive in Brussels for emergency talks on the crisis.

Fine Gael Carlow/ Kilkenny TD, Pat Deering, has said the new tenant purchase scheme which is soon to come on stream, will be good for communities and that voluntary housing agencies should consider getting involved. Deputy Deering was speaking after the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government, Deputy Alan Kelly, confirmed to him that the new scheme will be introduced in the second quarter of 2015.