About Alan
Alan Kelly is MEP for Munster/Ireland South and is a member of a number of key committees in the European Parliament including the Internal Market Committee, the Agriculture and Rural Development Committee and the US – EU Inter-parliamentary delegation. In addition to these committees, Alan uses his position as MEP to bring a voice to the European Union that echoes the concerns and issues of the people living in the Munster region. Providing a strong voice for the people of Ireland South constituency is always to the forefront of Alan Kelly’s mind.
Below is a more detailed overview of the committees Alan is a member of in the European Parliament.
US – EU Inter-Parliamentary Delegation
Alan Kelly was one of 53 members of the European Parliament placed on the US – EU Inter-parliamentary delegation in September 2009.
The purpose of this body is to liaise with the US Democratic administration to make decisions on matters of common interest between Europe and America.
This particular delegation is traditionally regarded as the most important one in the European Parliament and Alan Kelly intends to use the role as a means of establishing strong and lasting business links with local communities and American businesses.
This role offers the opportunity to try and rebuild the Mid West economy after the many job losses suffered in the region over recent times. Alan Kelly recognises the potential of the Munster area to attract important US business potential in the future and aims to deliver this message in Europe.
Both the US and Europe have over 60% of the world’s Gross Domestic Product and co-operate on a wide range of matters that are economically important to the region, including financial service reform and climate change.
This committee is extremely useful in so far as establishing contacts and connections that will assist local areas who are struggling from an investment point of view. It will provide a means of restoring jobs and securing vital investment in the future.
A Strong Voice for Workers in Europe
As MEP for the Munster region, Alan Kelly works closely with redundant workers from major companies such as Dell in Limerick and the Waterford Crystal. In doing so, Alan strives to secure funding for these workers under the EU Globalisation Fund.
Following the announcement in late September that workers at Dell are to benefit from a €15 million payment as part of the EU fund, Alan secured a meeting with officials from the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment to discuss the administration of the fund. The purpose o f the meeting is to ensure that the majority of the fund goes towards the benefit of the worker’s futures.
More so, in relation to Waterford Crystal workers, Alan is doing everything he can to push for a similar package to be granted to them. Alan has vowed to lobby the EU on behalf of these workers to secure some funding under the EU Globalisation Fund also. Alan is also continuously urging the Government to push for support for these workers.
Alan believes that former workers from businesses like Dell and Waterford Crystal deserve to be better treated. For that reason, Alan is pushing for funding to be allocated towards re-training, business and entrepreneurial advice and support and career guidance. Alan hopes that doing so will hopefully mean that local education institutions and employment support agencies will benefit as a direct result also.
Many of the people who have been made redundant from these companies have been out of work for several months and are understandably very anxious to re-enter productive employment. However, Alan understands that they need help to do so and this is exactly the message he is carrying with him to Europe.
A Strong Ireland in a Strong Europe
I believe that Ireland’s future economically and politically is best guaranteed by its playing a full part in a strong Europe. Whether we like it or not we live in a world where size matters. Throughout the cold war and in the decade immediately following its end small countries could navigate their way in and out between the big power blocks. This is no longer the case. With the rise of China and India as world powers and the re-emergence of Russia, even countries like Germany and France are dwarfed. To play their part in this new global stage the countries of Europe need a strong European Union that is coherent and cohesive. For its own sake Ireland needs to be at the heart of this Union.
As an MEP for Munster I will be a voice for a strong Ireland and a strong Europe.
Vital for Jobs and Markets
Ireland’s open economy needs close friends and a ready market for its goods and services. Membership of the European Union provides us with powerful allies and an internal market that is the third largest in the world after China and India. I believe this is hugely important for Irish jobs, in fact the on-going security of job creation and job maintenance in Ireland is directly linked to our membership of the EU.
Social Legislation
Much of the ground breaking legislation in relation to women’s rights, workers rights and consumer rights has found its way into the Irish Statute books thanks to European Law, European encouragement and European pressure. In terms of social legislation and protection of the citizen, Europe has been a powerful friend of last resort for many Irish people and groups.
As an MEP I will make sure that the people of Munster are aware of and feel they have access to the broad range of human and social rights they enjoy as citizens of the state and the Union.
Munster and Europe of the Regions
Munster and other regions outside Dublin rightly believe they play second fiddle to the east coast. A key priority of the EU has always been balanced regional development hence it often describes itself as Europe of the regions. The highly centralised form of government practiced in Ireland often mitigates against the capacity of the regions to enjoy greater benefits from the regional funds and initiatives driven by the Union
As an MEP I will work tirelessly to ensure that Munster as a region benefits to the full from EU regional policy and funding.
