Speaking in the Dáil on Tuesday, Deputy Noel Coonan urged the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources to maintain the ‘Regulated Tariff Formula’ which encourages competition in the natural gas market. The RTF regime of regulation took effect in 2003 at a time when Bord Gáis had 100% of the sector. Bord Gáis now

Jobseeker’s Payments Soar from 5,193 to 11,432 in North Tipperary – Deputy Noel Coonan The number of North Tipperary people seeking Jobseekers payments soared by 120% from 5,193 to 11,432 over the last two years. Jobseeker’s Benefit payments alone jumped by 115% from 3,118 to 6,371 according to Deputy Noel Coonan. Information released to the

Deputy Noel Coonan attended a hard-hitting presentation by the Mid West Task Force last Friday where Chairman Denis Brosnan called for immediate Government action to kick-start the Mid West region which is dying before our eyes. Speaking following Friday’s meeting, Deputy Coonan said: “In a hard-hitting report, Chairman Denis Brosnan was clearly frustrated at state

Deputy Noel Coonan said this Government cannot and will not regain the public’s trust by conducting the banking enquiry behind firmly sealed doors. Not only this, but the Fine Gael TD said the enquiry is a perfect cover up for the close collusion between the then Minister for Finance Brian Cowen, bankers and developers. Fine

Deputy Noel Coonan said this Government is once again using closure by stealth to deprive North Tipperary people of vital healthcare services. The Fine Gael TD said removing acute psychiatry services from St Michael’s Psychiatric Hospital, Clonmel is similar to stripping crucial services from Nenagh General Hospital. Deputy Coonan said: “Vital healthcare services have been

Deputy Noel Coonan said there is little evidence of our economy turning a corner with latest CSO figures revealing an additional 188 people joined the dole queue in North Tipperary over the month of December. This is a rise of 3% from 6,385 and 6,573. Over the month of December, Nenagh’s local office saw the

Deputy Noel Coonan said the Government has dealt dismally with the arctic weather crisis and must implement Fine Gael’s proposals to get a grip on the situation. The Opposition party has called on the Government to immediately mobilise the Defence Forces to provide manpower to local authorities, implement a National Emergency Plan co-ordinating all relief

Deputy Noel Coonan said a loss of €16 per month may not mean much to Government Ministers but is a vital lifeline for countless North Tipperary families suffering Child Benefit cutbacks from the beginning of this month. Deputy Coonan said: “Families have already seen the loss of the entire Early Childcare Supplement and now more