Senator Maria Byrne

Fine Gael TD for Longford/Westmeath, Gabrielle McFadden, has said that parcel carrier DPD’s €13m investment at its Irish Headquarters in Athlone is a major endorsement for the town and the region.

Fine Gael TD for Meath West, Ray Butler has today (Monday) said that Ireland’s Ancient East tourism project has been given extra bite with an investment of €49,500 for a new food heritage project. This funding is part of a €1 million Government funding programme for projects involved in the Ireland’s Ancient East initiative.

Fine Gael Dublin South Central TD, Catherine Byrne, has said that a new interactive tourism project for Dublin will help bring the city’s history alive for locals and visitors alike.

The formal announcement of two funding allocations of €200,000 and €28,443 for Youghal and Cobh respectively has been welcomed by Cork East Fine Gael TD, David Stanton. The Clockgate Tower in Youghal is to receive €200,000 to allow for it to be open to the public as a museum and interpretive centre, and Cobh Heritage Centre will receive €28,443 for the development of a new exhibition on Cobh’s maritime past.

Fine Gael TD for Cork South West, Jim Daly, has said that the latest Central Bank figures show the first decline in the number of mortgages in long term arrears.

Fine Gael TD for Meath East, Helen McEntee, has said that legislation going through Committee Stage in the Dáil today (Friday), will allow pyrite homeowners to avoid the expensive testing they previously had to undergo to in order to avail of the exemption from Local Property Tax (LPT).

I welcome the opportunity to contribute to the debate. Given the huge upsurge in the numbers seeking protection, few Bills have been more timely or more needed. However, last weekend, I received 752 e-mails asking that I press for the withdrawal of the legislation. I am completely baffled by this. I do not know who orchestrated the campaign or how they formed the view that refugees' interests would be better served by not passing this Bill. I wonder how many of them read the Bill or are aware that its purpose is to address the main concerns expressed by asylum seekers themselves.

Fine Gael TD for Kerry and Member of the Oireachtas Transport, Tourism and Sport Committee, Brendan Griffin, has welcomed the news that recent strong tourism figures have been matched by a 17.5% jump in revenue.

Fine Gael TD for Cork South Central, Jerry Buttimer, has said that funding of €900,000 for Cork Institute of Technology will help meet the cost of much needed facilities and equipment.

Fine Gael TD for Cork South Central, Jerry Buttimer, has said that changes implemented in the housing department in Cork City Council will ensure that the use of available funding is maximised.