Blog Archive
Stop the European City Guide
Posted on October 19, 2011 by Shane Griffin
European City Guide is a company based in Valencia that mails small businesses offering free advertising. It then follows up this offer by demanding thousands of euro for the service and mixing harrassment and intimidation until a small number of businesses bow to the pressure and pay. My advice is 'Don't Pay'. If you've already signed up for the service, contact my office for assistance. See my video below for more information.
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Minister Hogan should follow Northern Ireland Climate Change example
Posted on October 12, 2011 by Bronwen Maher
Northern Ireland are finalising what has been described by campaigners as a ‘world class’ Climate Change Bill based on Scottish legislation. The Republic should follow suit, and aim to be on a par with climate laws introduced in the North. Climate change does not recognise borders, it is an all-island concern and it would be nonsensical for the Republic to have climate laws that fell short of standards north of the border. Scotland’s climate change bill improves on the UK bill in setting higher targets. While business and the farming sector have concerns about the impact of such legislation, if the UK, Scotland and Northern Ireland agree that tackling Climate Change is compatible with a strong and healthy economy, Ireland should adopt the same approach.
More information:
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School children and teenagers should be made aware of air-brushing
Posted on October 04, 2011 by Bronwen Maher
The UK Government has just introduced an educational pack for teachers which illustrate how photographs of celebrities have had their photographs airbrushed by magazine editors, and how the resulting body images would be virtually impossible to achieve in reality. Following this development in the UK, I have called on the Irish Government to introduce ‘lessons’ on airbrushing into Irish schools to protect children from developing low self-esteem as a result of unrealistic images shown in teen magazines.
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Promoting greater transparency in official decision-making and greater regulation of lobbyists,
Posted on September 27, 2011 by Bronwen Maher
Speech presented at the conference: “Mad Medicine – Do financial conflicts of interest drive you crazy?”, held on Saturday 24 September 2011 in UCC, and organised by Health Action International Europe and the Critical Voices Network Ireland
Introduction- Lobbying in Brussels
"When I was first elected to the European Parliament, two years ago at this point, there were many issues that I kept coming back to- how to promote my ideas for mental health? How to be effective on both a European and local level? How best to keep connected with my constituents? - These were some of the questions I worked to resolve at the beginning of my term.
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Clarity needed on new septic tank assessment and inspection scheme
Posted on September 06, 2011 by Bronwen Maher
I welcome the news that householders with private waste systems will only have to pay a once off licence fee of €50, rather than the €300 originally suggested by his department, there are a number of outstanding issues. How will the risk assessments be carried out so that the same rules and opinions are reached by all local authorities? How will low income families afford to upgrade their systems if they are found to be faulty? The inspections may give rise to householders being advised to improve the maintenance of their systems or, in more serious situations, may require the upgrading or remediation of the treatment system. If the scheme is to be a success and ground water protected from pollution, low income families will require grant aid to install septic tank replacements.
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Packaging Waste Levy
Posted on August 03, 2011 by Bronwen Maher
Earlier this year the government opened a consultation process on its possible introduction of a packaging levy in Ireland. This levy, apart from aiming to prevent waste, hopes to raise between €60-80m towards Irish debt.
Today I submitted a response to the proposal to introduce a packaging levy which I hope will highlight the importance of reviewing our waste prevention programme. You can read the full proposal by clicking on the links below.
This proposed levy reflects a desire to move towards packaging waste prevention rather than simply focusing on targets for recycling. We need to be sure, however, that the strategy is sustainable, maximizes up-cycling and recycling, reduces consumer costs, provides new opportunities for businesses and creates jobs.
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EU support Orangutans and other rainforest species with new food labelling legislation
Posted on July 28, 2011 by Bronwen Maher
Recently the Parliament agreed a piece of legislation I have been working on almost since I was first elected two years ago, but which will now see the EU extend it's support to Orangutans and other rainforest species in Asia as a direct result of my intervention.
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EU Tobacco Control
Posted on July 28, 2011 by Bronwen Maher
I recently spoke ahead of events to mark World No Tobacco Day, where I called for stricter controls on the tobacco industry in Ireland and across Europe in order to help preve nt premature deaths from tobacco-related diseases.
The EU will soon revise the Tobacco Control Directive and I will be working hard with my colleagues on the Public Health Committee and public health NGOs to make sure this revision means the strongest possible controls on this powerful industry.
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Discrimination against 'Illness of later life' must end
Posted on May 25, 2011 by Bronwen Maher
Labour MEP Nessa Childers has called for the end of the ‘discrimination against illness of later life’. Speaking at her seminar ‘Shared Priorities - Dementia and Alzheimer policy in Europe and Ireland’, held on the 17th June in the Radisson Hotel, Dublin, Ms Childers said: “Our health care system as its stands discriminates against older people, this may not be the intention but reflects a mind-set when it comes to spending policy. I’m calling for the end of the discrimination against illness of later life where there is a cap on medical care for older people that would not be tolerated in cancer care or care for children.”
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End Wasting Time On Heart Problem Myths
Posted on May 13, 2011 by Shane Griffin
For men and women of any age, cardiovascular disease could be the primary killer. It kills more people than ALL types of cancer put together. If you are over sixty-five, your risk of a heart attack is higher, however it's an equal opportunity destroyer. Everyone, any place, anytime may have a heart attack. See below advice from Millie Bruce, journalist and clinician:
Myth 1: Only mature people need to be concerned about their cardiovascular system
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