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Entries matching the category "consumer%20affairs"

ROAMING FEES TO BE SLASHED IN EUROPE THIS WEEK

Posted on June 29, 2010 by Alan Kelly

Roaming Charges
Roaming Charges

This Thursday will see yet another reduction in roaming charges for Irish customers when travelling in Europe. Hopefully this will end the shameful practice of mobile phone companies giving 'bill shock' to their customers.

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Permanent link | Categories: CommunicationsConsumer AffairsForeign & European AffairsAlan Kelly MEPLabour PartyEuropean ParliamentMobile Phone RoamingchargesreductionEuropean CommissionroamingVodafoneO2travelholidaysbill shock

Calling for a Ban on Brazilian Beef in Europe

Posted on December 10, 2009 by Alan Kelly

Brazilian Beef
Brazilian Beef

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.

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Permanent link | Categories: AgricultureConsumer AffairsBrazilian BeefEU Commission Food and Veterinary Office Report

Rugby Rip Off: Disgraceful

Posted on April 28, 2009 by Alan Kelly

With Labour and Munster Legend Cllr Gerry Ginger McLoughlin
With Labour and Munster Legend Cllr Gerry Ginger McLoughlin

Just to get something off my chest. It is incredibly unfair to see the extent to which rugby fans are being ripped off by airline companies ahead of the Heineken Cup final in Edinburgh.

One of Munster and Leinster (The Southern Province hopefully) will be playing yet it will cost you €560 odd euro to fly from Dublin to Edinburgh return over Saturday on Sunday whereas on the Monday when there is no game on, it costs a mere €30.

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Permanent link | Categories: Arts Sport & TourismConsumer AffairsMunsterrugbyLimerickgerry mcloughlinalan kellyheineken cup

NAMA CAUSED FURTHER AIB BAILOUT: I PUBLISH COMMISSIONER ALMUNIA LETTER

Posted on January 10, 2011 by Alan Kelly

Ireland and EU
Ireland and EU


I have just published the letter from EU Commission Vice President, Joaquin Almunia, explaining how AIB passed banking stress tests last July but was eventually nationalised by year-end. (See text of letter below this blog.)

It is clear that the latest AIB bailout was effectively caused by NAMA and the failure of the government to predict these losses while also taking the bank’s position at face value.

Commissioner Almunia makes it clear in his letter that NAMA’s second discount on AIB loans immediately required an additional €3b cash. This could only come from the Irish taxpayer.

When the government first stress tested the bank, it underestimated the NAMA discount – even though NAMA is a state-body. Was there no co-ordination on this by the Finance Minister?

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Permanent link | Categories: FinanceForeign & European AffairsAlan KellyEUCurrent Affairs Irish

IRELAND MUST FOLLOW FINLAND AND MAKE DIGITAL HISTORY

Posted on July 02, 2010 by Alan Kelly

broadband cables image
broadband cables image

 

Following the news that Finland has made broadband access a legal right for every citizen, I believe Ireland must follow their example and make broadband available to every Irish home and business.

 

 

Finland made digital history when it became the first country in the world to make broadband a legal right for every citizen.

 

From 1 July every Finn will have the right to access to a 1Mbps (megabit per second) broadband connection.

 

What we need now is an urgent review of Ireland’s broadband strategy. Ireland lags way behind the rest of Europe when it comes to broadband and the problem is worst in rural areas.

 

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Permanent link | Categories: CommunicationsForeign & European AffairsAlan Kelly MEPLabourTipperaryNorth TipperaryBroadbandFinlandaccessrural infrastructurecommunicationsBroadband roll outstrategy

ROAMING PRICES REMAIN TOO HIGH DESPITE VODAFONE VERDICT

Posted on June 08, 2010 by Alan Kelly


I welcome today's European Court verdict on roaming charges but the cost of roaming across Europe is still too expensive for consumers.

 

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Permanent link | Categories: CommunicationsAlan Kelly MEPmobile phone roamingVodafoneEuropean Court RulingInternal Marketconsumersexpensive

DWYER FAMILY DESERVE INDEPENDENT INVESTIGATION INTO MICHAEL'S DEATH

Posted on May 09, 2010 by Alan Kelly

Alan Kelly MEP with Dwyer Family - 05/05/10The family of Michael Dwyer, the young Irish man killed in Boliva meeting Alan Kelly MEP in Brussels. (left to right) Ashling Dwyer, Alan Kelly MEP, Caroline Dwyer.Photo Gary Fox
Alan Kelly MEP with Dwyer Family
05/05/10 The family of Michael Dwyer, the young Irish man killed in Boliva meeting Alan Kelly MEP in Brussels. (left to right) Ashling Dwyer, Alan Kelly MEP, Caroline Dwyer. Photo Gary Fox

I am calling for an independent investigation into the killing of Tipperary native, Michael Dwyer in Bolivia.


An independent investigation into the killing Michael Dwyer is the only possible solution to this most serious issue.

Michael Dwyer was a loving and much loved son of the Dwyer family. 

He was a loving, caring person who came from a multi-cultural background.

Last year he was tragically shot dead in Bolivia and the quality of the information emerging from authorities there is suspect.

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Permanent link | Categories: Foreign & European AffairsAlan Kelly MEPMichael DwyerDwyer FamilyBoliviaIndependent InvestigationBrussels

€87k BILL FOR TIPPERARY CARER 'TOTALLY RIDICULOUS'

Posted on April 13, 2010 by Alan Kelly

Carers Association
Carers Association

I am appalled at the Governments treatment of a Tipperary carer following demands she repay almost €87,000.

 

The woman who has been in receipt of carer’s allowance for looking after her husband is now being asked to repay the money which the Dept of Social and Family Affairs are claiming she was overpaid.

 

Kelly said “It is quite simply beyond belief the way this lady is being treated. She was providing an invaluable service to the Tipperary community and she is being hit on all sides by a Government that clearly has no idea what is it doing.

 

Just last week we had billions being poured into the banks and here we have a horrible example of the blatant hypocrisy that exists in Ireland.

 

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Permanent link | Categories: Social & Family AffairsAlan Kelly MEPCarerLabourNorth Tipperary

Visiting the White House and New York

Posted on December 10, 2009 by Alan Kelly

With Cass Sunstein - Head of Information and Regulatory Affairs in White House
With Cass Sunstein - Head of Information and Regulatory Affairs in White House

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.

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Permanent link | Categories: FinanceForeign & European AffairsUSAlan Kelly

Influential Trip to the US

Posted on December 01, 2009 by Alan Kelly

US FlagThis 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.

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Permanent link | Categories: Enterprise Trade & EmploymentForeign & European AffairsUSEU Parliament's US Delegation

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