Leo Varadkar, TD

Fine Gael Cork East Deputy, Tom Barry, has today (Wednesday) has said that two significant incentives contained in the new Rural Development Programme (RDP) will greatly aid Irish tillage farmers. The RDP, as unveiled by the Minister for Agriculture, Simon Coveney TD, includes more than €12.5 billion in funding for the agricultural sector up to 2020.

Fine Gael Dublin South Central TD, Catherine Byrne, has today (Wednesday) described the decision taken by Dublin City Council to reverse planned cuts to Dublin’s homeless budget as the correct one. Deputy Byrne was speaking after a motion from Fine Gael and Labour councillors was passed at last night’s council meeting.

Fine Gael Waterford TD, Paudie Coffey, has today (Wednesday) welcomed the focus on the dairy sector as set out in the Government’s plans to invest €12.5 billion in the agri-food industry between now and 2020. Deputy Coffey added that a resurgence in the dairy sector, thanks to the abolition of milk quotas next year, will be particularly positive for Waterford with the development of the new Glanbia facility at Belview Port.

Fine Gael Dublin Senator Catherine Noone has today praised the supermarket chain Lidl as showing leadership and putting the health of its customers and their children above profiteering after it announced that it would no longer be selling sweets at checkout counters in its UK supermarkets. Senator Noone has written to Lidl Ireland urging them to do the same in their branches here.

Fine Gael TD for Roscommon/South Leitrim, Frank Feighan, has warmly welcomed Roscommon County Council’s decision to give the planning go-ahead to develop an ambulance base at the former Garda Station in Loughglynn, Co. Roscommon.

Fine Gael Kerry Senator and Seanad Chief Whip, Paul Coghlan, has today (Wednesday) appealed to both sides involved in the Liebherr dispute to engage in immediate dialogue. Senator Coghlan was speaking during Order of Business in the Seanad this afternoon.

Fine Gael TD for Waterford and member of the Oireachtas Committee on Environment, Culture and the Gaeltacht, Paudie Coffey, has criticised the efforts by Fianna Fail to score political points in relation to the consultancy fees spent by Irish Water. Deputy Coffey was speaking following the Party’s Private Members Bill in Dáil Eireann.

Fine Gael Dun Laoghaire TD, Mary Mitchell O’Connor, has today (Wednesday) welcomed the fact that a plastic surgery app aimed at children as young as nine has been removed from iTunes and Google Play.

Funding of €32.5 million for almost 200 sustainable transport projects in the Dublin region from the National Transport Authority, including the further development of 47 cycle routes, has been announced by Minister for Transport, Tourism & Sport Leo Varadkar and Minster of State for Commuter Transport Alan Kelly.

Fine Gael Dun Laoghaire TD, Mary Mitchell O’Connor, has today (Tuesday) welcomed almost €3.5 million in funding which is being allocated to Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council by the National Transport Authority as part of the Sustainable Transport Measures Grants (STMG) programme.