Blog Archive
Crisis or Opportunity? - CAP Conference 2010
Posted on March 12, 2010 by Alan Kelly
I am hosting a conference entitled "Crisis or Opportunity? The future of the Common Agricultural Policy and the Rural Economy". It will take place on Friday, March 26th at 10.00am in the Tipperary Institute's Thurles Campus situated on the Nenagh road.
Labour Leader Eamon Gilmore will address the conference, along with the Labour Party Spokesperson on Agriculture and Food,
Sean Sherlock TD, IFA President John Bryan, ICMSA Vice President Eddie O’Callaghan, Dr Cathal O'Donoghue, Head of the Rural Economy Research Centre at
Teagasc, MEP’s and Representatives from the EU Commission.
The panel of experts from Europe and Ireland will discuss the future of the CAP and its implications for Ireland.
Permanent link | Categories: Agriculture
EU Competition Commissioner Needs to Investigate Supermarkets Activities
Posted on February 15, 2010 by Alan Kelly
Following recent media reports about the use of "hello money" and "placing money" by supermarkets on suppliers, I am calling on both the European Commission and the Irish Competition Authority to investigate allegations that Irish suppliers are being asked to pay sums of up to €500,000 in order to have their products stocked in Tesco stores.
Permanent link | Categories: Agriculture • alan kelly • food • agriculture • competition
A Big Week for Former Dell/Mid West Workers as EGF Starts Rolling
Posted on February 11, 2010 by Alan Kelly
This is a huge week for the former workers in Dell, Banta, Flextronics, Irish Express Cargo and the other companies that were closed as a result of the Dell pullout of Limerick in January 2009. On Wednesday morning I met with the EU Commissioner for Employment, Mr. Andor and got assurances regarding the flexibility of the EGF scheme that can be used for job placement, training and starting your own business. These are the three key pillars under which workers can used their share of the €2.8 million that was allocated to them.
Permanent link | Categories: Dell • EGF • Mid West • alan kelly
Meeting Commissioner Andor
Posted on February 10, 2010 by Alan Kelly
On Wednesday I met with Commissioner for Employment Affairs, Laszlo Andor. He is the Hungarian Commissioner and an exceptionally approacable and likeable person. My request for the meeting was principally to get an update on the Dell EGF fund and he told me that the fund was very flexible as regards its administration and also that it would be released this week to the Irish Government. I also got an assurance that the Waterford Crystal fund would be passed by the Commission soon and before the Parliament by March or April, which I broadly welcomed. WE also spoke about the SR Technics application and a number of other issues which I am persuing with the Commissioner on behalf Ireland and my constituents.
Permanent link | Categories: Commissioner Andor • Dell • EGF • alan kelly • Mid West
UCC Students Visit European Parliament
Posted on February 10, 2010 by Alan Kelly
This week I had a visit from a group of Law students from across Irish Universities, but in particular UCC and what a lively bunch they were in Strasbourg! The certanly knew how to make the most out of the trip and enjoy themselves while also learning and asking many, many questions. I was delighted to have them there. In particular, it was great to have Declan Walsh, Lecturer in EU Law in UCC accompanying them. Declan has been a friend of mine for many years since my time in Cork and is a great authority on all matters in relation to Europe.
Permanent link | Categories: Education • UCC
Time to Investigate M7 Workers Employment Conditions
Posted on February 03, 2010 by Alan Kelly
I am calling for a full investigation into the working conditions of workers on the new M7. This arises following receipt of a number of complaints from former skilled workers who were paid the hourly rate of a general operative in breach of The Wages Act 1991. This in particular relates to hundreds of workers who have been let go off the site in the last six months.
The complaints come from former employees of Coffey Construction and relate not only to rates of pay but to a number of issues which include payment of a flat rate for overtime hours worked and incomplete contracts of employment. These are in breach of Labour laws and practices.
Permanent link | Categories: Transport • M7 workers • alan kelly • Limerick • Tipperary
Supporting New Enterprises
Posted on January 11, 2010 by Alan Kelly
With the economy in the state it is thanks to failed Government policies and their mishandling of the public finances allayed with a world economic downturn, I believe it is time that we went back to basics from a business perspective. We need to adopt first principles again and become competitive. Thts why we need to trust our own instincts, trust our own people and their new ideas for enterprises, develop our education system and provide the infrastructure to allow our economy to be competitive.
Permanent link | Categories: Communications • Education • Enterprise Trade & Employment • Alan Kelly • HKPB
Constituency Office Opening With Party Leader Eamon GIlmore
Posted on December 13, 2009 by Alan Kelly
On Friday last, I was joined by the Labour Party leader, Eamon Gilmore, at the official opening of my new constituency office in Nenagh. The new Labour office, situated on the corner of Dublin road and Summerhill, was attended by a couple of hundred Labour supporters from all over North Tipperary. The opening was then followed by a reception at Dowlings pub where presentations were made.
Permanent link | Categories: Alan Kelly • Nenagh
Tipperary New York GAA Dinner Dance
Posted on December 11, 2009 by Alan Kelly
Towards the end of my recent US Trip, I had the pleasure of being asked to be the guest speaker at the Tipperary New York GAA Dinner DAnce. The event honoured the 1974 Tipperary New York team that won the championship and there were many well known faces on it. I met many old friends at the event from across the county which went on into the early hours of the morning.
Permanent link | Categories: Tipperary GAA • New York
Elected President of the Dell Workers Association
Posted on December 11, 2009 by Alan Kelly
On Friday last I was elected Honorary President of the Dell Workers Committee following my involvement in securing €22.8m for the Dell Workers who lost their jobs as a result of the closure of Limerick based company early this year. I've also helped the Workers in a number of actions in the Labour Court to generate better redundancy payments. I stand fully beside the workers in all their aims and thats why I have attended every public meeting they've had and put my office at their disposal.
Permanent link | Categories: Dell • Globalisation fund • Alan Kelly
