Burke calls for greater scrutiny of European matters by Oireachtas

Colm Burke

Colm Burke

FINE Gael Cork North Central Senator, Colm Burke, has today (Tuesday) called on the Houses of the Oireachtas to increase their level of scrutiny of European Affairs. Senator Burke was speaking following his attendance at a conference entitled ‘Parliamentary Scrutiny of European Affairs’ at Westminster this week.

“The Lisbon Treaty included explicit democratic provisions to strengthen the role of the European Parliament and national parliaments in European matters. As a former member of the European Parliament, I have advocated, for some time now, that the Oireachtas makes greater use of these provisions in order to increase our participation in European affairs.

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Irish people need plain language on EU bank deal situation

Eurozone

Eurozone

FIANNA Fáil Leader, Micheál Martin TD, said tonight’s joint statement from the Taoiseach and German Chancellor, Angela Merkel, appears to be positive but called on the Government to outline what it is actually seeking from Europe.

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More needs to be done in EU to control energy costs

pylons

FIANNA Fáil Spokesperson on Communications, Energy and Natural Resources, Michael Moynihan TD, says more needs to be done at European level to control the spiralling cost of energy prices in Ireland.

 

Deputy Moynihan was speaking after EU Energy Commissioner, Gunther Oettinger, appeared before the Oireachtas Committee on Transport and Communications last, where Deputy Moynihan asked Mr Oettinger about the soaring cost of energy in Ireland.

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Govt defies critics on bank debt deal

Michael McCarthy

LABOUR TD for Cork South-West Michael McCarthy has welcomed the news that Ireland has brokered a deal on its debt at last night’s EU summit.

“Yet again this Government has defied its critics and secured a deal on our debt which will significantly ease pressure on our economy. As the Tánaiste Eamon Gilmore eloquently summarised the situation this morning, this is a massive breakthrough for Ireland which really changes the game for us as far as bank debt is concerned.

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Euro summit statement welcome but clarity needed on application to Ireland

European Central Bank

European Central Bank

THE statement issued early this morning at the outcome of the EU Leaders’ summit is to be welcomed in that it finally acknowledges at European level the need to break the link between bank debt and sovereign states, according to Fianna Fáil Finance Spokesperson Michael McGrath. [Read more...]

EU deal on fish discards welcomed

fishingfleet

LABOUR TD for Cork South-West Michael McCarthy has welcomed news that a commitment to ban the discarding of dead fish has been secured at a meeting of the EU Fisheries Council.

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Spanish deal “deeply disappointing” as bank losses again forced on ordinary citizens

European Central Bank

European Central Bank

THE shape of the bailout deal for Spanish banks is deeply disappointing and reinforces the current eurozone policy that ordinary citizens would ultimately bear the burden of bank losses, according to Fianna Fáil Finance Spokesperson Michael McGrath.

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Coveney outlines a clear and strong Irish position on fisheries reform talks

fishingfleet

SIMON Coveney TD, Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine today set down Ireland’s position on key elements of the Common Fisheries Reform (CFP) at today’s EU Fisheries Council.

The Minister set out his strong opposition to the Commission’s proposals for the privatisation of national fish quotas through the introduction of individual transferable quotas.

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