Nessa's Blog
Childers disappointed at Rosslare-Waterford rail line decision
Posted on September 03, 2010 by Andy White
Nessa Childers MEP, who represents the Wexford area in the European Parliament expressed her disappointment at the decision by the National Transport Authority to support Irish Rail’s bid to suspend the Rosslare-Waterford rail link.
Ms. Childers, who has worked with the Mayor of Wexford Cllr. Joe Ryan to explore funding and upgrading avenues with the European Commission for the South-East line explained, “This decision raises serious question marks about how decisions are made in relation to public transport infrastructure in this country. Important lessons need to be learned in this regard in the future.
“For example, it is bizarre in the extreme that the NTA’s own remit permits it to consider passenger services only and disregard freight entirely when examining the viability of a rail line.
“When governments across the EU are encouraging a return to freight transport as we strive to meet the challenges of climate change, it is incomprehensible that the state body charged with examining our public transport requirements is precluded from giving full consideration to freight transport options when making key strategic decisions such as this.”
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Survey on the proposed candidates from Ireland for the 'Eureopan Heritage Label'
Posted on September 03, 2010 by Andy White
Following on from my previous blog in which I spoke about the plans for a ‘European Heritage Label’ which will be made up of sights which are of cultural, social or political importance to Europe, I am interested to hear about locations you would like to see the Irish government propose for inclusion.
It could be the Monasterboice High Cross & Round Tower in Louth, the Hill of Tara in Meath, Wicklow Gaol or Kiulkenny Castle, for example. Perhaps you think Kildare's Castledermot round Tower, Crosses and Church, Aghaboe in Laois, Clonmacnoise in Offaly, Haroldstown Dolmen in Carlow or Duncannon Fort in Wexford should be included?
Let me know your views by taking a moment to fill in this quick online survey.
http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/FKGNM2K
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Mc Manus an inspiration to women in politics
Posted on September 03, 2010 by Andy White
Labour Party MEP for Ireland East, Nessa Childers has paid tribute to Deputy Liz McManus following the Wicklow TD’s announcement that she will not contest the next General Election.
Nessa Childers said: “Liz McManus has been an inspiration to me and to countless women in the Labour Party and in public life in general. She is an accomplished, compassionate and visionary politician who has served both Wicklow and the State with enormous distinction since she was first elected to public office in 1979.
“Liz is a special person to me and I owe a sincere debt of gratitude to her trademark skill, resourcefulness and organisational ability, all of which she deployed to great effect in her role as my Director of Elections in last year’s elections to the European Parliament.
“Liz has an impressive and lasting record of achievement in politics and her legacy in Wicklow, and nationally, is assured. I want to take this opportunity to wish her well in the future as a new chapter of her life opens.”
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Which site in Ireland best showcases our contribution to European heritage?
Posted on September 02, 2010 by Eamonn O'Gara
Welcome back to the European Parliament- following our six week recess, my collegues and I resumed normal business in Brussels this week. This involved making preparations for the first of September's two sessions in Strasbourg next week, and meeting with our political groups and parliamentary committees.
While I spent some of the recess in Brussels tying up loose ends from my first year and preparing for the second, I was glad to find a few weeks in between to take a summer break. After twenty years working in mental health, I don't underestimate the benefits of recharging the batteries and unplugging from professional life for a little while.
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Interview with CNN for a piece on cross border divorce within the EU
Posted on August 24, 2010 by Andy White
http://edition.cnn.com/video/#/video/international/2010/08/23/wv.border.devorce.bk.a.cnn
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Survey on environmental issues in Wicklow
Posted on July 13, 2010 by Andy White
Thank you for taking the time to complete my short survey on the environment in County Wicklow. I always welcome the views of the people I represent. Your opinions matter to me and they can help in forming policy at local, national and EU level.
http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/SW687TK
If you wish to contact me, you can do so by calling my office at 01-2962263 or by e- emailing your thoughts to nessa.childers@votelabour.ie
Best Wishes,
Nessa Childers MEP
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Revamp of environmental impact assessment directive long overdue
Posted on July 13, 2010 by Andy White
A thorough revamp of the 25 year-old Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Directive which has been announced by the European Commission is long overdue, Leinster MEP Nessa Childers has said.
The purpose of the EIA Directive applies to a wide range of clearly defined public and private projects, such as power stations, roads, railway lines, waste facilities, industrial projects and energy infrastructure. The Directive was designed to ensure that the environmental implications of major planning decisions are properly examined before decisions on developments are made.
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CAP reform must support Irish farmers to tackle climate change
Posted on July 08, 2010 by Andy White
Speaking in the European Parliament in Strasbourg, on the future of CAP after 2013, Nessa Childers MEP said:
“It is crucial for the future of Irish and European agriculture that the reformed Common Agriculture Policy (CAP) “fully recognises and supports the role of farmers as key agents in the fight against climate change.
“European budgets and CAP in particular are under severe pressure due to the global financial crisis. However today the Parliament has expressed wide political support for a new deal that will aim to secure European food supply, promote sustainability and encourage rural development.
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Over 40s need to get healthy this summer to ward off alzheimer's
Posted on July 02, 2010 by Andy White
Irish Labour MEP Nessa Childers today launched a consultation period with patient groups and industry as part of a new EU initiative on tacking Alzheimer’s.
She said: “Irish people of all ages, but particularly those over 40, should get fit and healthy this summer to reduce the risk of developing dementia.
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Childers welcomes new EU organic logo
Posted on July 02, 2010 by Andy White
Irish Labour MEP Nessa Childers welcomed the new EU logo certifying organic food which comes into effect today. "I hope that these changes will give a boost to the Irish organic farming and food production sector and that the new logo can develop into the widely recognised symbol of organic food production across Europe, providing shoppers with confidence that the goods are produced to the highest organic quality.
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