Leo Varadkar, TD

Dublin Senator and Fine Gael candidate for Dublin West, Catherine Noone, has welcomed the announcement that a new primary school and a new secondary school are planned for Dublin West. Another three schools are set to get brand new premises, thanks to the Government funding.

“Unemployment has fallen to 8.9%, the lowest rate since the end of 2008 and most encouragingly, growth is strongest in regional areas”, says Fine Gael TD for Laois/Offaly and Chair of the Oireachtas Jobs Committee, Marcella Corcoran Kennedy.

Brian Hayes, Fine Gael MEP, today (Monday), said that the Central Bank of Ireland needs to develop a code of practice for Irish banks on how to deal with interest-only mortgage customers in a fair way. Mr. Hayes warned that banks could face a serious arrears crisis in the coming years as more and more interest-only mortgages become due for final repayment.

Dublin Fine Gael MEP, Brian Hayes today (Monday) said that the enactment of the EU Victims' Right Directive must be a priority for the Government. MEP Hayes made his comments while speaking at a conference organised by the Victims' Right Alliance in Dublin's Mansion House.

Fine Gael TD for Cavan/Monaghan, Joe O’Reilly, has said that the new state-of-the-art DNA Database System, which will come into operation on 20th November 2015, is another important tool that Gardaí can use to tackle crime.

“Between 2011 and 2014, €190.2 million has been saved by detecting fraudulent social welfare claims”, says Derek Keating, Fine Gael TD for Dublin Mid-West. Deputy Keating received this information on foot of a parliamentary question he submitted to the Department of Social Protection.

The Taoiseach, Enda Kenny, T.D. has expressed his shock at the events unfolding in France this evening.

European Central Bank President, Mario Draghi, today (Thursday) answered questions in the European Parliament's ECON committee on the circumstances that led to the Irish bailout. Brian Hayes MEP, who questioned the ECB President, commented that ECB actions ultimately made the bailout situation worse for Ireland.