Welcome to the 76th Fine Gael Ard Fheis.

In the past two decades alone, we’ve had 16 major statutory reports on child protection. We have seen horrors beyond imagining and we have reached a point where there is national consensus that we have to change.

Speaking at the Fine Gael Ard Fheis, Minister Frances Fitzgerald said that Irish society needs to be aware of what is happening in cities, towns, communities and within families around the country.

Fine Gael Waterford Deputy, Paudie Coffey, has welcomed the announcement from the Minister for Finance, Michael Noonan, that €3.06 billion promissory note instalment due this weekend could be settled by the delivery of a long term Irish Government Bond. This will save the State some €90 million this year and will have knock on effects for our debt to GDP ratio for 2012.

Cork South Central Fine Gael TD, Jerry Buttimer, has welcomed the announcement of a €30 million sports capital grant which has been announced by Minister of State for Tourism and Sport, Michael Ring TD, in the latest round of the funding programme.

Fine Gael Waterford Deputy, Paudie Coffey, has welcomed the announcement that the European Stability Treaty will be held on Thursday 31st May 2012, saying the Treaty is extremely important for the stability of the euro area and for our long term economic future. Deputy Coffey stressed the importance of a calm and honest debate about the implications of ratifying the Treaty.

Frank Feighan TD believes the Roscommon tourism showcase planned for the Galway Volvo Race event this summer is set to be one of the most significant boosts ever to local tourism providers.

“I was very saddened to learn of the death of former Fine Gael TD, Michael Begley. “Michael served the people of south Kerry diligently for 20 years as a TD, from 1969 to 1989. As a former minister of state in a number of government departments, he served with distinction at national level.

Fine Gael Cork South Central Deputy, Jerry Buttimer, has this evening (Monday) said he supports calls to withdraw the pensions of politicians who are found guilty of corruption or misconduct. Deputy Buttimer was speaking at the Annual General Meeting of the Grange Frankfield Fine Gael Branch. “Politicians are elected by the people to serve all

Fine Gael Meath West TD, Ray Butler, has today (Monday) has said he is delighted that UPC is taking a proactive approach to concerns he has raised with the company about a pylon located at Mornington Heights in Trim. Deputy Butler met with the company recently as part of his on-going efforts to get the