Senator Mary Seery-Kearney

“The planned upgrade of the Phoenix Park tunnel will cut the travel time for Kildare people commuting to work in Dublin”, says Fine Gael TD for Kildare North, Anthony Lawlor. Deputy Lawlor was speaking after Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, Paschal Donohoe TD, announced a €13.7 million project to upgrade the Phoenix Park Tunnel in order to cater for commuter trains.

Fine Gael TD for Tipperary, Noel Coonan has said that following a slow start, 94% of GPs in South Tipperary have now signed up to take part in the free GP Service for under 6s.

Fine Gael Dublin South Central TD, Catherine Byrne, has condemned the actions of vandals who left hundreds of homes exposed to the threat of flooding after they opened locks on the Grand Canal yesterday.

The Department of Agriculture have started to issue €117 million in payments nationally and €9.425,313.69M here in County Donegal under the 2015 Areas of Natural Constraints Scheme. These payments will provide a financial boost for the 4410 farmers in Donegal who have been approved to receive this payment.

Brian Hayes, Fine Gael MEP for Dublin, today (Friday) said transfers of family businesses from one generation to another should be made easier, given the fact that approximately 150,000 family businesses are forced to close in the EU each year.

Dara Murphy, Fine Gael TD for Cork North Central and Minister of State for European Affairs and Data Protection says the special 9% Vat rate for the tourism industry has been a huge success and has led to the creation of over 30,000 jobs.

Fine Gael Clare Senator, Martin Conway, has said that it’s essential for students in direct provision to have access to third level education and be provided with support.

Fine Gael TD for Dublin South Central, Catherine Byrne, has said that vandals and criminal gang activity at Goldenbridge Cemetery will not stop local people from burying their loved ones with dignity. Deputy Byrne condemned yet another act of vandalism last night at the historic cemetery.

Fine Gael TD for Sligo/Leitrim, John Perry, has welcomed the announcement by the Minister for Transport, Tourism & Sport, Paschal Donohoe, that the European Commission has formally approved Ireland’s 2015-2019 Regional Airports Programme, which will support Knock Airport into the future.

Fine Gael TD for Kildare South, Martin Heydon has said today (Thursday) that another drop in the number of long term mortgage arrears is very encouraging. This comes following a drop in May; the first decrease since the crisis.