Dear Frank

The 77th Fine Gael Ard Fheis, which will take place in the RDS, Dublin, on Friday February 28 and Saturday March 1, will afford us the welcome opportunity to reconnect and take stock ahead of the upcoming Local and European Elections in May.

If you registered before the closing date, your accreditation is in the post. If you still wish to use the online facility atwww.fgardfheis2014.com please be aware that you will have to collect your accreditation at the nearby Bewley’s Hotel (Thomas Prior Hall) from 5.00pm-8.00pm on Friday and 9.00am-6.00pm on Saturday. Those who have not yet registered, but who wish to attend, will have the opportunity to register at Thomas Prior Hall between the times outlined. Delegates will be required to produce their membership card and photo ID.

Online and phone registration is now closed, but those who have not yet registered, but who wish to attend, will have the opportunity to register at the nearby Bewley’s Hotel (Thomas Prior Hall) from 5.00pm-8.00pm on Friday and 9.00am-6.00pm on Saturday.  Delegates will be required to produce their membership card and photo ID.
The selection process for the European and Local Elections is concluding. At the Ireland South Convention last Sunday, which I attended, sitting MEP Seán Kelly and Senator Deirdre Clune were chosen to run.

I was in the Alexander Hotel, Dublin on Tuesday evening when Brian Hayes was chosen to contest the European Elections in Dublin.  All three are very strong candidates and I know they will each run excellent campaigns.

Preparations are also continuing for the EPP Congress which will take place in Dublin on March 6 and 7. This will bring together heads of Government and leaders of European People’s Party (EPP) affiliated parties from across Europe. Fine Gael is affiliated to the EPP in the European Parliament and this event will be a wonderful opportunity to showcase what Dublin and Ireland has to offer a huge international audience.

Mobile Travel Technologies (MTT) provides mobile solutions to airlines and the wider travel industry, and I was delighted to officially open their new headquarters at Hanover Court, Dublin 2 yesterday. The company also announced plans to expand significantly in the coming months, which is wonderful news, and will cement Ireland’s growing reputation as the digital hub of Europe.

I was glad to have the opportunity to address Dun Laoghaire Rathdown Chamber yesterday at Fitzpatrick’s Castle Hotel, Killiney and to outline to them the Government’s plans to help local business, including the roll out of 31 new Local Enterprise Offices from April. In the evening, I addressed a conference on Diaspora Literature in Irish at Newman House, St Stephen’s Green.

I am in my own constituency today, where, earlier this morning, I returned to my old Alma Mater, St Gerald’s College to launch a new Project Maths online tutorial facility for Leaving Cert students. These resources, developed by ALISON and Macmillan have a significant role to play in maintaining this country’s position as an international centre of excellence in education, and would also be of benefit to anyone of any age who finds themselves having to deal with maths on a day-to-day basis. I expect they will be very well received.

The Minister for Social Protection, Joan Burton, will join me in Castlebar later today for the official opening of the local Intreo office there. Like the many others around the country, this facility will offer practical advice and assistance to employers and job seekers alike.

Minister of State Brian Hayes will also be in this part of the world this afternoon when we will both travel to the heart of the Mayo Gaeltacht, Tourmakeady. We will be there for the handover of the building that once housed the Garda Station which is now set to become the new home of Coiste Cultur Teanga and Forbartha Thuar Mhic Eadaigh, two organisations which will both work to promote tourism and local business in the area.

Later this afternoon, I will make my way onwards to Cong to turn the sod at the new Community Centre there before attending the Annual Mayo Handball Awards at The Country Lodge Hotel, Westport, tonight – rounding off what will have been a pretty comprehensive tour of our great county!

Very best wishes,

Yours sincerely

Enda Kenny TD
Taoiseach