Health cuts to dominate FG meeting

The health service cuts and the Croke Park Agreement are set to dominate the Fine Gael Parliamentary Party meeting that gets underway in Mayo later.

TDs and Senators will also hear how the Government could create tens of thousands of jobs in the technology sector.

The last time Fine Gael gathered in Westport in Co Mayo was ten years ago when the party was downbeat after the general election and Enda Kenny had just taken over as leader.

It is the first gathering of the party since the disastrous handling of the health cuts and climbdown by Minister James Reilly.

It is a reminder of the tough decisions the party faces leading the Coalition with the budget just three months away.

Among those decisions will be if the Government can stick with the Croke Park Agreement

The party will also hear from Seán O'Sullivan who has said if the Government introduced a Technology visa scheme there is a potential to create tens of thousands of jobs.