FG members urged to emphasise Budget benefits at meeting

At the Fine Gael parliamentary party tonight at Leinster House, Taoiseach Simon Harris urged his colleagues to emphasise the benefits of Budget 2025 to everyone across the country.

He suggested Fine Gael will have a laser-like focus in highlighting the Budget - despite the Opposition parties wanting to discuss anything else.

However, TDs and Senators also discussed the ongoing pressures on the hospitality industry which did not secure the 9% VAT rate it hoped for in yesterday's Budget.

Regarding escalating violence across the Middle East, the Taoiseach said the priority of keeping Irish peacekeepers in Lebanon safe is the priority and there is constant contact with the peacekeepers.

Other issues under discussion included how the creation of a Department of Infrastructure would be crucial in delivering the future potential of energy and energy security.