Fergus O'Dowd, TD

Fine Gael TD for Kildare South and Chair of Fine Gael’s Internal Committee on Agriculture & Rural Affairs, Martin Heydon, has today (Tuesday) said that Budget 2015 is good news for the horse racing and breeding industries. Deputy Heydon was speaking after Minister Noonan announced €18 million in additional funding for the Horse and Greyhound Fund over the next three years and an additional investment of €5m for the country’s racecourses.

Fine Gael Dublin South Central TD, Catherine Byrne, has welcomed the positive steps taken in Budget 2015 to address the housing shortage and the homeless crisis.

Good example of the kind of growth that is taking place in established companies across the country

Fine Gael TD for Kildare North, Anthony Lawlor, has today (Tuesday) said that the announcement in Budget 2015 to end the moratorium on civil service recruitment is a positive step. Deputy Lawlor said however that it is vital the new recruitment drive focuses on front line staff, including much needed doctors, nurses, teachers and Gardaí.

Fine Gael Meath East TD, Regina Doherty has today (Tuesday) said the extension of BreastCheck to women aged 69 will save lives.

Fine Gael TD for Cork South Central and Chairperson of the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Health and Children, Jerry Buttimer, has said the first budget since 2009 which does not cut the health budget offers an opportunity to stabilise the delivery of services and refocus reform.

Facebook users are invited to take part in a Q&A centred around Budget 2015.

Minister for Health Leo Varadkar and Minister of State Kathleen Lynch have secured an increase in funding for the health service in 2015, the first Budget increase for seven years.

Government Chief Whip Paul Kehoe TD has questioned the logic of SIPTU’s call this week to increase the 9% VAT rate for the tourism and hospitality sector as a new Fáilte Ireland report proves Government policy is providing jobs and growth for tourism in Co. Wexford.