Blog Archive
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
300m Support For Dairy Farmers Not Enough
Posted on October 22, 2009 by Alan Kelly
Today I voted to increase the dairly support fund for EU dairy farmers from 300m to 600m. The parliament voted in favour of the 300m but alas did not agree to the doubling of this. This was despite the fact that the parliament had previoulst argued that such a figure was necessary. The Labour Party MEPs voted for the 600m but unfortunately the FG and FF MEPs voted against it, which I believe is unfortunate as it was in the best interests of Irish farmers.
Permanent link | Categories: Agriculture • farming • dairy • milk crisis • alan kelly mep • agriculture
Fighting For EU Support for Dell Workers
Posted on October 20, 2009 by Alan Kelly
For eight months now I have been working with the DELL Workers Group on trying to secure them a better deal following the withdrawal of the DELL company from much of its plant in Limerick. This has had a huge impact on the economic well being of the Mid West as a result of the thousands of job losses amongst families in Limerick, Tipperary, Clare, Kerry and Cork.
Permanent link | Categories: Dell • Dennis Ryan • Limerick • Tipperary • Limerick • Banta
'Yes' result for Lisbon Treaty: Thank you Munster!
Posted on October 04, 2009 by Alan Kelly
At 1.25pm on Saturday afternoon the only word I can use to describe how I felt is ‘thrilled’. At that time, I was at the GAA Centre in Nenagh to await the North Tipperary result of the Lisbon Treaty referendum. A 64% turnout in my home constituency and a 70% ‘Yes’ vote majority was simply music to my hears. To make it even better, as I listened to the results come in from all across Munster, I stood proud as always to be an MEP for Ireland South.
