Hildegarde Naughton, TD

To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality when the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service plans to introduce an online booking system for appointments; and if she will make a statement on the matter?

“Cheaper loans for farmers and others involved in rural development will boost farmers’ finances, assist with development of farm buildings and provide for further investment in equipment”, says Patrick O’Donovan, Fine Gael TD for Limerick. This funding has been made available as a result of a new memorandum of understanding agreed between the EU and the European Investment Bank this week.

Fine Gael TD for Cork North West, Áine Collins, has welcomed the announcement by the EU Agriculture Commissioner Phil Hogan, of model guarantee system ensuring access to credit for farmers, as a result of a new memorandum of understanding agreed between the EU and the European Investment Bank this week.

Fine Gael Longford Westmeath TD, Gabrielle McFadden, has welcomed the launch of the Government’s new tourism policy, ‘People, Place and Policy – Growing Tourism to 2025’, saying it will benefit tourism in the Midlands.

Fine Gael Clare TD and Chairman of the Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, Pat Breen, has warmly welcomed the news that Stobart Air is to recommence operating flights between Shannon and Birmingham. He said that this decision is a vote of confidence in the airport’s future. Deputy Breen had been making representations to both Shannon Airport and the Department of Transport on this issue and is delighted that Stobart Air has returned to serve the Mid-West Airport.

Fine Gael, Cork North-West TD, Áine Collins asks where are the ideas, policies and women as Shane Ross, Michael Fitzmaurice, Finian McGrath and John Halligan gather today. Ross’ long muted “Independent Alliance” is holding an invite only, behind closed doors, meeting in Tullamore today (Saturday).

The Taoiseach Mr Enda Kenny TD sent congratulations on behalf of all Irish people to Irish Rugby team.

“Old young farmers are farmers who established their holding between 1st January 2008 and 31st December 2009 and who are now be eligible to apply for phase two of the National Reserve Fund when the application facility comes online in April”, says Minister of State for Gaeltacht Affairs and Natural Resources and TD for Donegal, Joe Mc Hugh.

Fine Gael MEP for Dublin, Brian Hayes has today welcomed confirmation that a vote on a new EU wide emergency call system for new cars will take place at the Strasbourg Plenary in April. This is a revolution for safety on the roads and a technological first for the car industry in Europe. It is an example of Europe at its best.

“The Dublin- Tullow bus route has been rescued,” says Fine Gael TD for Carlow/Kilkenny. Deputy Deering was speaking after the publication of the ‘Review of the Withdrawal of Bus Éireann’s Licenced Route 5 Expressway Service’ by the National Transport Authority (NTA) today (Tuesday) which confirms the future of services on this route is secure.