Blog Archive
Former Taoiseach's chairmanship of IFSC under investigation
Posted on January 26, 2011 by Bronwen Maher
John Bruton failed to notify commission of lobbying position
Only days left for Irish grads to apply for EU internships
Posted on January 25, 2011 by Bronwen Maher
Labour MEP Nessa Childers has urged all recent Irish graduates to consider applying for up to 650 places under the Winter traineeship scheme in the European Commission, the deadline for which ends next Monday.
"With so few jobs available for Irish graduates nowadays, this scheme is a fantastic opportunity to gain valuable experience at the heart of the European Union. The EU plays an increasingly important role in all our lives and it is important that more young Irish people seek employment in its institutions.
"The Irish actually do very well in Brussels and to be found everywhere in the city. Already the most senior civil servant in the entire Commission which employs over 30,000 people is Catherine Day, is an Irish graduate of UCD. This is a chance for the next generation to follow in her footsteps.
"The aims of the official in-service training with the Commission are to provide university graduates with a unique, first-hand experience of the workings of the EU, to give trainees an opportunity to acquire practical experience and knowledge of the day-to-day work of the Commission.
"They will have an opportunity to work in a multicultural, multilingual and multiethnic environment, contributing to the development of their careers later in life."
More information:
* Timeline: 1 October - 28 February 2011
* Next scheme application period opening: July 1st 2011
* Pay: €1066,93 per month
* Apply online: http://ec.europa.eu/stages
EU must freeze assets of deposed Tunisian dictator
Posted on January 20, 2011 by Bronwen Maher
Speaking in Strasbourg, Labour MEP Nessa Childers has congratulated the Tunisian people for their courage in rising up and demanding democracy.
She has called for the EU-based assets of the deposed dictator Ben Ali to be immediately frozen.
"Last December, a university graduate set himself on fire in front of government buildings out of sheer desperation due to the dire economic conditions and long suppression of politics. Less than a month later, nationwide protests have brought about the fall of the dictator Ben Ali.
New EU health directive will help shorten waiting lists
Posted on January 19, 2011 by Bronwen Maher
Patients with rare diseases also to benefit
Today’s vote in Strasbourg on the new Cross-Border Healthcare Directive will greatly enhance patient mobility in Europe shortening Irish waiting lists, with people with rare cancers and conditions also set to benefit from treatment abroad as a result.
Speaking in the Parliament, Labour MEP Nessa Childers said: "This Directive will mean that unless the HSE can prove that they can provide the treatment within a time-limit that is medically justifiable, people on a waiting list have the right to travel abroad for treatment, and be reimbursed. That part is crucial, they must medically justify any refusal to travel.
Commissioner needs to call DAA chief to the front of the classroom
Posted on January 19, 2011 by Bronwen Maher
Labour MEP Nessa Childers has today called for a 'day of action' from the European Commission to sort out Europe's travel chaos, as airport chiefs meet Transport Commissioner Siim Kallas to debate the problem.
Nessa Childers said: "When Declan Collier, the Chief Executive of Dublin Airport Authority, and his European counterparts meet Commissioner Kallas today, I hope they feel like a child caught napping who's been called to the front of the classroom.
New EU alzheimer's initiative focus on specific needs of women welcome
Posted on January 18, 2011 by Bronwen Maher
Nessa Childers MEP has welcomed the focus in new EU Initiative on Alzheimer's on the specific needs of women in a speech in the European Parliament in Strasbourg today. The Leinster MEP has completed work on the major new EU proposal to step up cooperation and support to improve prevention, diagnosis, treatment and care.
In her speech, she said - "Nearly ten million Europeans suffer today from dementia, with Alzheimer’s the most common form. One of those statistics was my own mother, who passed away last year.
Female quotas needed to end old boys club culture of corporate Ireland
Posted on January 13, 2011 by Bronwen Maher
Only one of 13 Anglo Irish Bank directors was female
Wider availability of morning after pill move welcome
Posted on January 11, 2011 by Bronwen Maher
Labour MEP Nessa Childers today welcomed the move by a major pharmacy chain to make the morning after pill widely available without prescription.
She said: "Pharmacy provision is essential to improving access to emergency contraception and must be available to all who need it. Given the high number of unplanned pregnancies in Ireland, this move is very welcome.
All Ireland approach needed to attract tourism from emerging markets
Posted on January 10, 2011 by Bronwen Maher
Schengen zone entry key for tourists from emerging markets like China, India & Brazil
Labour MEP Nessa Childers today called on her Northern Ireland counterparts to break with British government policy and consider joining the Republic on EU visa policy to boost tourism numbers from emerging markets like China and India.
The UK and Ireland are currently outside Europe’s Schengen zone, within which people can cross borders without passport checks. The EU harmonised many of the Schengen rules last year to speed up and standardise visa procedures for travellers to Europe. Schengen embraces 22 EU countries and three non-EU nations - Norway, Iceland and Switzerland.
MEPs vote for binding energy efficiency target welcome
Posted on December 15, 2010 by Bronwen Maher
Labour MEP Nessa Childers welcomed the result of today's European Parliament vote in Strasbourg on energy efficiency and energy bill-saving potential, with the upcoming revision of the EU Energy Efficiency Action Plan.
She said: "Despite Irish government opposition, I especially welcome the demand for binding energy efficiency targets of 20% by 2020. Just like in other areas, such as renewable energy and CO2 emissions, binding targets have helped to stimulate the drive for new green jobs.
"Energy efficiency means not only reducing our carbon emissions and new green jobs but it will also mean money saved on bills for hard-pressed family budgets.
"Across Europe, buildings account for about 40% of energy consumption, therefore we must work strongly for efficiency-oriented so-called 'deep renovation' of our new and existing buildings.
