Tag Archives: European Parliament

Seán Kelly MEP, is hosting a visit by a European Parliament delegation to the Mid-West this week. MEPs will meet company representatives from Shannon LNG and Shannon Foynes Port tomorrow (Thursday). The MEPs belonging to the Committee on Industry, Research and Energy are on a fact-finding mission to learn about the local innovations and research in the area of technology and energy. Speaking ahead of the high-profile visit, Mr Kelly, the leader of the Fine Gael delegation in the European Parliament, said: “I look forward to welcoming the group of cross-party MEPs from all various member states, where we will enjoy a busy agenda meeting and learning from technology and energy experts locally. “After meeting with local business and technology experts and university researchers and students, we will hold a briefing with Shannon LNG and Shannon Foynes Port Company representatives. “The European Commission recently cited Shannon LNG as a strategic gas source for Europe, as we work towards a more secure …

Ireland South MEP, Seán Kelly, has been appointed as lead negotiator and spokesman on European energy consumer issues on behalf of the European People’s Party. The talks underway in Brussels, aim to deliver a new deal for energy consumers and seek to increase the transparency of prices and better empower consumers to lower their energy bills, according to the leader of Fine Gael in the parliament. Mr Kelly, Ireland’s only full member of the Parliament’s Committee on Industry Research and Energy (ITRE), spoke of the work as being a “massive opportunity” to ease the burden on already stretched household budgets. “Years of austerity have been tough on Irish families. Even though our economy is now growing rapidly, the majority of households are yet to feel the benefit – it has not yet made its way into Irish homes. One way we can spread economic growth around the country is by putting money back in people’s pockets. “Taking measures to lower …

County Clare stands to benefit from an amendment to a tourism report passing through the European Parliaments Transport and Tourism committee today (Tuesday), which calls on EU member states to provide free Wi-Fi in tourist towns and areas. Supporting the initiative, Ireland South MEP Deirdre Clune commented, “Dublin and Cork already provide free Wi-Fi in parts of the cities and I don’t see any reason as to why we should not be rolling this out to more tourist towns and cities. Tech-savvy tourists would appreciate a way of checking emails, booking attractions, managing their flight bookings, posting pictures and keeping in contact with loved ones back home. In an increasingly competitive global tourist market, Ireland needs to ensure it is leading the way with its tourism offering. “What better advertising can we get than having tourists posting pictures and reviews of our towns on their social media sites? They are posting where they are and talking about their experience, free …

The European Parliament has followed the lead given by Clare County Council by calling for a moratorium on fracking. In a close vote in the European Parliament last week, MEPs voted to urge member states “not to authorise any new operations involving the exploration or extraction of unconventional fuels within the EU until this is proven to be safe for the environment, citizens and workers”. MEP Marian Harkin, following the vote in Strasbourg, said “MEPs agreed that the use of fracking entails negative risks and consequences for the climate, the environment and public health and that it threatens the long-term decarbonisation goal of the EU. This was a strong statement by the Parliament but there is a sting in the tail. While the amendment itself was voted through, it was part of an overall report on Energy Security which was rejected by the Parliament.”

Clare TD Michael McNamara has called on the European Parliament to increase its work to uphold human rights in Europe. Deputy McNamara, author of a report on “European institutions and human rights in Europe” for the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, told the European Parliament’s LIBE Committee in Brussels this week, “Any EU initiative concerning the promotion and protection of human rights should take into account the Council’s role as a benchmark for human rights, the rule of law and democracy in Europe.” The two organisations shared the same core values, he pointed out. In particular, the EU should continue to scrutinise its draft legislation to ensure its compatibility with the Charter for Fundamental Rights. Referring to the recent negative opinion of the EU Court of Justice on EU accession to the European Convention on Human Rights, he called on EU decision-makers to “find a way out from this difficult situation”. Mr McNamara also reiterated PACE’s concern at …

Fine Gael MEPs are calling for a Yes vote in the upcoming Marriage Referendum. On May 22, Ireland will become the first country in the world to put same-sex marriage to a popular vote. Speaking from the European Parliament, Mairead McGuinness (Midlands North West), Brian Hayes (Dublin), Deirdre Clune and Seán Kelly (Ireland South) encouraged voters to stand with the 10 other EU countries that have extended equal rights to same-sex couples to marry. They reiterated Ireland’s strong record when it comes to defending human rights and promoting equal opportunities for all citizens, including the LGBTI community. The European Parliament has made extraordinary progress in the advancements of anti-discriminatory laws for LGBTI citizens across Europe, they said. Ten EU Countries have already extended equal rights to their LGBTI citizens to marry: Belgium, Denmark, France, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Portugal, Spain, the UK (excluding Northern Ireland), Slovenia and Sweden.

Teachers from Clare and across the country have attend a training meeting for the Blue Star Programme in the European Parliament office in Dublin. Mairead McGuinness MEP, vice president of the European Parliament, said the programme adds a new and interesting dimension to the primary school agenda, giving pupils knowledge about the EU past, present and future. “The programme would not happen without the support, interest and work of teachers and I thank the teachers who took the time to attend the training day and who work tirelessly in their schools for the betterment of their pupils,” the Fine Gael MEP said. “The Blue Star programme provides children with knowledge about how and why the EU began; it introduces children to the idea of diversity in food, culture, music and traditions – the diversity of the EU. As an MEP, visiting schools and talking to children about the EU and my work as an MEP is a most enjoyable experience,” …

Two Ireland South MEPs, Deirde Clune and Sean Kelly have secured membership of much sought-after European Parliament committees. As the new parliamentary term began in Strasbourg this week,  Fine Gael delegation leader in the parliament, Mairead McGuinness, confirmed the party’s committee memberships. They are: Mairead McGuinness (Midlands North West) – Full membership of Agriculture & Rural Development/AGRI, substitute on Environment, Public Health & Food Safety/ENVI Sean Kelly (South) – Full membership of Industry and Energy/ITRE, substitute on Internal Market/INTA Deirdre Clune (South) – Full membership of Transport & Tourism/TRAN, substitute on Employment & Social Affairs/EMPL Brian Hayes (Dublin) – Full membership of Economic & Monetary Affairs/ECON, substitute on Development/DEVE & Budgetary control/CONT “We have been successful in securing membership of committees which are important to Ireland and the EU. These committees will be pivotal in driving the agenda for growth and jobs in the EU,” Ms McGuinness said. “The next five years in the European Parliament must focus on creating …