Noonan will not seek support from Lowry

Fine Gael leader, Michael Noonan will not be seeking Michael Lowry's support for him as Taoiseach if elected to Government.

The disgraced former Fine Gael Minister is likely to top the poll in Tipperary North in his second election as an Independent. Noonan said, "as far as I am concerned there is no foreseeable future for Micheal Lowry in Fine Gael."

Earlier today Fine Gael promised that all children will be treated equally in the education system if it is returned to power in this month’s election.

Speaking in Tipperary town, party leader Michael Noonan said all children must be treated equally, regardless of their family’s economic background or any physical or mental disability.

Referring to a recent OECD report which said up to 30% of Irish schoolchildren have difficulty reading and writing, the Fine Gael leader said he would speed up the modernisation of dilapidated schools and would give every parent a legal right to appeal when resources provided do not match the needs of their children.

He also said Fine Gael would establish a speech therapy service within the education system if it is part of the next Government.