Senator Maria Byrne

Speaking in the Seanad, Government Chief Whip and Senator for Kerry, Paul Coghlan, said that the failure of vulture funds to appear before the Oireachtas Finance Committee is totally unacceptable.

Fine Gael Waterford Minister Paudie Coffey has said that the Irish Economy has recorded a budget surplus for the first 11 months of the year. This is the first time Ireland will record a budget surplus in 8 years. Minister Coffey said Fine Gael in government has managed the economy in a prudent way that has seen the budget deficit disappear 3 years ahead of schedule and we will continue to ensure that borrowing unnecessarily is a thing of the past.

Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture and Fine Gael TD for Tipperary, Tom Hayes, has said that Basic Farm Payments of almost €81 million paid so far in 2015, are supporting Tipperary farmers.

Fine Gael TD for Mayo, Michelle Mulherin, has said that Basic Farm Payments of almost €54 million paid so far in 2015, are supporting Mayo farmers.

Fine Gael TD for Wicklow, Andrew Doyle, has said that Basic Farm Payments of over €1 billion paid so far in 2015, are supporting farmers across the country.

Speaking at a workshop on the second hand car market in the European Parliament yesterday, Ireland South MEP and member of the EU transport committee, Deirdre Clune, has called for immediate pan-European action on car clocking in our second hand car market.

Dublin Senator and Fine Gael candidate for Dublin West, Catherine Noone, has welcomed recent data from the CSO showing average weekly earnings have increased by 2.7%.

Fine Gael Waterford Minister Paudie Coffey has inspected the dredging of Dunmore East Harbour which is nearing completion. Minister Coffey said that this investment represents a €7.7 million investment in the Harbour that will have long term benefits for the local economy. Minister Coffey has also been engaging with his colleague Minister Simon Coveney TD about the vacant buildings in the Harbour and bringing in new investment that could occupy them and bring even more life back into the village.

Fine Gael TD for Cork South West, Jim Daly has said that Fianna Fáil’s hypocrisy will not help any family worried about burglaries, but proactive Government measures will make a difference in the fight against crime.

Fine Gael TD for Cork East, David Stanton has welcomed today’s (Tuesday) announcement by GE Healthcare of the creation of an extra 140 jobs at its plant in Carrigtwohill. This will bring the total number of people employed by GE in East Cork to almost 640.