Archive for 2009
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
Visiting the White House and New York
Posted on December 10, 2009 by Alan Kelly
I was on my first trip as an MEP representative to the US over the last couple of days. It was a very interesting and informative few days, where I visited the While House and met with members of the US House of Representatives. We visited both Washington and New York. I met with Cass Sunstein who is I understand quite close to President Obama and is over Information and Regulatory Affairs in the Us Administration. I also met with Susan Rice, who is the US Ambassador to the United Nations.
Permanent link | Categories: Finance • Foreign & European Affairs • US • Alan Kelly
Calling for a Ban on Brazilian Beef in Europe
Posted on December 10, 2009 by Alan Kelly
This week, I spoke in the European Parliament calling for a ban on the importation of Brazilian beef into the EU. There have been growing concerns over the Brazilian beef’s safety. Not alone that but Irish farmers deserve to be rewarded for their high standards and excellent quality beef. It’s totally unfair that they have to compete with beef that is not produced to the same standard and imported from Brazil. These farmers go through all regulatory controls as set down by Europe so all other beef should do the same. Consumers must also be protected from potentially diseased beef.
Permanent link | Categories: Agriculture • Consumer Affairs • Brazilian Beef • EU Commission Food and Veterinary Office Report
GAA/GPA Agreement
Posted on December 06, 2009 by Alan Kelly
I welcome this week’s development of the GPA/GAA’s interim agreement. After two months of deliberations both the Gaelic Players Associations and the GAA have reached a compromise which may give way to an alliance. This agreement can protect the GAA’s amateur status while also providing recognition to the GPA as a body which can protect and promote the interests of the players. This is something that I have supported as a member of both organisations for some time.
Permanent link | Categories: Arts Sport & Tourism • GAA • GPA
Influential Trip to the US
Posted on December 01, 2009 by Alan Kelly
This coming Wednesday, I will travel to the US as a member of the influential EU Parliament’s US Delegation. I am the sole Irish MEP to be involved in this trip. With plans to visit Washington and New York, I plan to use this opportunity to meet with US Senators and the House of Representatives members.
Discussions are set to take place to address the global issues of international trade, climate change, transport and communications. I’m eager to meet with the US Senators and House of Representatives members to discuss these important issues which affect us all.
Permanent link | Categories: Enterprise Trade & Employment • Foreign & European Affairs • US • EU Parliament's US Delegation
Hopping on the Rural Transport Scheme Bus
Posted on November 27, 2009 by Alan Kelly
On Thursday last, I took the Rural Transport Scheme’s bus from Lorrha to Roscrea along with regular users of the scheme. Locals have recently become fearful of cuts to this scheme, which would leave them isolated and without access to even the most basic of services. The rural transport scheme was set up in response to inadequate transport in rural areas and has become a lifeline to many without access to a car.
Permanent link | Categories: Community Rural & Gaeltacht Affairs • Transport • Rural Transport Scheme
Dell Funds Passed by European Parliament
Posted on November 24, 2009 by Alan Kelly
This was a very important week in Strasbourg where the European Parliament voted through the European Globalisation Funds for the Dell Workers who lost their jobs early in the year. It also affects related workers from other companies that supplied Dell, such as Banta and Flextronics. I was personally glad that all the lobbying and hard work paid off.
Permanent link | Categories: Enterprise Trade & Employment • dell • globalisation fund • alan kelly
Calling on the Govt to Apply for EU Solitary Fund to Aid Flood Relief
Posted on November 23, 2009 by Alan Kelly
I am urging the Irish Government to apply for the EU Solidarity Fund in order to aid those areas across Ireland that were devastated by flood damage in the last week.
The EU Solidarity Fund was set up after the catastrophic flooding in Germany and Austria in 2002. The EU has done a lot in the area of flood preparedness in the aftermath of the 2002 flood in central Europe. It has been used on 26 occasions since then and I am calling on the Government to apply for this fund. Ireland has been devastated by flood waters this week. Cork, Tipperary, Galway and many other areas been affected. Under this initiative, there are funds which the Government may be entitled to.
Permanent link | Categories: Finance • Foreign & European Affairs • EU Solidarity Fund • Flood Damage
