Patrick O'Donovan, TD

Fine Gael TD for Cork North West, Áine Collins, has advised SMEs to apply for funding from their bank following news that €800 million in funding is being made available to lenders through the Strategic Banking Corporation of Ireland (SBCI).

Fine Gael TD for Longford Westmeath, Gabrielle McFadden, has said the news that 100 new jobs are to be created in Athlone by medical devices company Teleflex, is clear evidence that this Government is fulfilling its commitment to regional job creation and investment.

Fine Gael TD for Dublin Fingal and member of the Oireachtas Justice Committee, Alan Farrell, has today (Thursday), called for an increased focus on justice in rapidly growing areas as more resources become available.

Fine Gael TD for Kildare North, Anthony Lawlor, has today (Thursday) highlighted that only 4% of civil servants are aged 30 or under and that the Government’s Civil Service Renewal Plan provides a real opportunity to re- energise the civil service.

Fine Gael TD for Carlow Kilkenny, John Paul Phelan, today (Thursday) said the Government’s National Broadband Plan is delivering, as demonstrated by announcements this week which will see broadband provided to at least 500,000 homes and businesses across the country.

Fine Gael Cork North Central Senator, Colm Burke, has today (Thursday), called on the HSE to maintain the high numbers of people receiving respite care. Senator Burke was speaking after the release of HSE figures showing that 6,208 people benefitted from residential centre based respite services last year.

Thank you for joining us today for the launch of the Government’s Civil Service Renewal Plan. The past few years has seen our country face huge challenges.

Fine Gael Dublin Senator Catherine Noone today (Thursday) highlighted the real scope for Dublin City Council to cut commercial rates by as much as 2% in their upcoming budget.

At its meeting today, the Government nominated a judge of the High Court as President of the Court of Appeal, as well as, seven judges of the High Court and one judge of the Circuit Court as ordinary judges of the Court of Appeal as follows:

Fine Gael TD for Laois/Offaly and Chair of the Oireachtas Jobs Committee, Marcella Corcoran Kennedy, has today (Wednesday), welcomed the World Bank 2015 Doing Business Report which shows that Ireland’s overall doing business ranking has moved four places up to 13th this year.