John Paul Phelan, TD

Fine Gael TD for Galway West and Chair of the Fine Gael Committee on Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, Sean Kyne, has welcomed the opening of the competition for the European Capital of Culture 2020, saying it is a huge opportunity for Galway and the West.

2014 was another strong year for overseas tourism, with about 7.3 million visitors (+8.8% growth over 2013) contributing almost €3.6 billion (+9%) in revenue to the economy

Minister of State Joe McHugh TD, commenting on today’s announcement: “I welcome confirmation from the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Simon Coveney TD, that following discussions with the European Commission, a total of €123 million in value of quotas was secured for the whitefish fishermen, an increase from last year.

Representatives of the hospitality sector say that Sinn Féin’s tax proposals would cause ‘devastation’ to their industry, says Fine Gael TD for Limerick, Patrick O’Donovan. Deputy O’Donovan was speaking after a session of the Oireachtas Transport and Communications Committee, attended by the Irish Hotels Federation and the Drinks Industry Group Ireland.

“Finding your feet in a new country can be extremely difficult. Emigrants can suffer from severe loneliness and depression, and it is important that the support they need is available” says Dan Neville, Fine Gael TD for Limerick and President of the Irish Association of Suicidology.

Fine Gael Cork South West TD, Noel Harrington, has said that the provision of an additional €850,000 for Fáilte Ireland, much of which will be invested in developing the web presence of the Wild Atlantic Way (WAW), is great news for tourism in West Cork.

“A new Business Development Group (BDG) has been established to find new opportunities for local post offices which are at the centre of our communities” says Peter Fitzpatrick.

Fine Gael Waterford Minister Paudie Coffey has welcomed the news from Failte Ireland that it will be putting a major focus on the Viking Triangle in Waterford City next year as part of a new international product, that will brand the South-East of the Country as a heritage destination.

“We now have five months to plan for the marriage equality referendum and what will hopefully be a landmark day for social equality in this country”, says Fine Gael Cork South Central TD Jerry Buttimer. Deputy Buttimer was speaking after the announcement that the marriage equality referendum will take place next May.

Fine Gael Cork North Central Senator, Colm Burke, has welcomed the news that a new drug, Selincro Nalmefene, is to be made available here to treat alcohol dependency.