Sean Kelly MEP has welcomed the retention of the 9 per cent VAT rate for the tourism sector announced by the Minister for Finance Michael Noonan in the Budget today, following extensive lobbying by the Ireland South MEP on the issue.

Seán Kelly MEP has congratulated the “heroic” 16-year-old Malala Yousafzai on winning the prestigious European Parliament Sakharov Prize for promoting freedom of thought. Mr Kelly nominated Malala for the prize last month and is delighted to confirm that the European Parliament confirmed that Malala as a 2013 winner this morning (Thursday).