Blog Archive
COP15 Latest
Posted on December 14, 2009 by Eamonn O'Gara
While there was considerable trouble today as I arrived in Copenhagen, when the G77-China group of developing countries temporarily suspended talks, the mood in the city remains optimistic as participants attempt to work through the many and varied disagreements here over the next six days.
Division
The largest outstanding point of division remains emission cuts, with very few countries prepared to follow the EU's lead in committing to upward of 20% cuts in 1990 levels by 2020.
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Government must push for ‘30/30’ climate deal Childers says in Copenhagen
Posted on December 14, 2009 by Andy White
Speaking from Copenhagen, host city for the UN Climate Change Conference, Nessa Childers, Ireland’s sole member of the European Parliament Environment Committee said:
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Book digitisation to be welcomed but nobody should have a monopoly
Posted on November 26, 2009 by Andy White
Labour MEP Nessa Childers today, has welcomed Google's plans to create an online library, but has cautioned against the company becoming a monopoly power in the area.
Speaking in the European Parliament in Strasbourg Nessa Childers said: "We must cherish public access to our shared European culture and heritage.
"I am sure Google have no ill intentions. Google has an excellent employment record in Ireland and global reputation as a real leader in cutting-edge Internet technology.
“The digitisation of books, such as the Google Books project, has the potential to unlock huge volumes of the world’s collective knowledge and cultural heritage, and we should support efforts to make books searchable, readable, and downloadable.
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Nessa Childers MEP speaking at the Climate Change Forum, November 2009
Posted on November 26, 2009 by Andy White
Please see link below to see Nessa speaking at the climate change forum in the European Parliament buildings in Molesworth Street, Dublin on the 20th November 2009
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tRYZ8kBBA1c
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Childers calls on the EU to boost CO2 reduction offer to 40% ahead of Copenhagen summit
Posted on November 25, 2009 by Andy White
A unilateral offer by the EU of a new 40% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions would strongly demonstrate to the US and China that Europe is prepared to “go the extra mile” and lead the world in tackling climate change.
Such ambition would also help transform the Irish economy, providing new opportunities for Irish green-tech businesses and creating thousands of green, sustainable jobs as we move to a low-carbon future, according to Nessa Childers MEP who will be in Copenhagen next month for the UN Climate Change Conference.
Speaking after the adoption of a resolution in the European Parliament in Strasbourg, the only full Irish member of the Parliament’s Environment Committee said "an offer of a 40% target jump, conditional on all key players jumping in unison, is warranted, viable and achievable at this time.
“The Parliament has already shown more ambition than the Member States in relation to a reduction in carbon emissions and today’s resolution is to be welcomed with calls for real financing, calls for strong targets in the high-end from 25-40% in line with the science and on the insistence on a legally binding agreement.
“However I believe the goalposts have now shifted somewhat as the recession has led to a significant fall in global emissions since the EU’s initial negotiating position of 20-30% was first drawn up in 2007. Reaching higher targets on emissions is now much more achievable than first thought. The EU must make a conditional offer of the maximum 40% target as called for under today's resolution.
“There is a clear economic win-win involved in pursuing higher targets. Reductions in emissions of up to 40% would have a revolutionary impact on the Irish and European economies. It would help create the dynamic and the demand needed to drive new Irish indigenous clean energy sectors, leading to a massive increase in sustainable green jobs.”
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Invitation to Countdown to Climate Change seminar hosted by Nessa Childers MEP, Royal Hotel, Bray, Co. Wicklow at 8pm on Thursday 3rd December 2009
Posted on November 19, 2009 by Andy White
Dear Friend
I am pleased to invite you to a seminar entitled ‘The Countdown to the UN Copenhagen Climate Change Summit – The European & Irish Perspective’ in the Royal Hotel, Bray on Thursday 3rd December at 8pm.
As a member of the European Parliament Environment Committee, I have been working extremely hard on the issue of climate change, the major challenge of our generation. I will be in Copenhagen for the UN Summit on Climate Change in mid- December and I am anxious to hear your views on what Ireland and Europe needs to do to address this pressing issue.
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Ease ban on liquids on aircraft
Posted on November 17, 2009 by Andy White
Nessa Childers has called for an immediate lift of the ban on liquids such as toothpaste or baby bottles bought by travellers in European airports and for a total lift of the ban by 2013 at the latest.
Nessa Childers said: "We still need tight security rules in the fight against terrorism, but once new technology is available in airports, this ban will be totally unnecessary.
“It will improve the travelling experience for many passengers throughout the EU. As an MEP who travels constantly through Dublin and Brussels airports, I know how frustrating it can be see ones liquid’s thrown out by security staff.
"From talks here in the Parliament, I know that the technology to screen liquids is already available. It now needs to be tested and installed in all European Airports.
“This should not take four or five years as requested by some member states. I’m calling on Dublin airport to install this technology as soon as possible."
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Government accused of negligence over threat posed by seven new British nuclear plants
Posted on November 17, 2009 by Andy White
Nessa Childers has said that the Irish government’s attitude to the safety threat posed by seven new British nuclear power stations “borders on negligence.”
Ireland’s only member of the European Parliament Environment Committee was responding to reports published in a Sunday newspaper which revealed that nuclear safety regulators in France, Finland, Britain and the United States have all expressed serious concerns in relation to safety aspects of the plants which are expected to be in operation from 2018.
“I am urging the Taoiseach to directly address this matter with the British Prime Minister as a matter of urgency. I have also asked the European Commission for its opinion on this issue and if it is satisfied that these new nuclear plants will conform to established EU and international standards.”
Nessa Childers said, “I represent tens of thousands of families on Ireland’s east coast from Louth down to Wexford. I would like to be able to assure them that the Irish government and the agencies charged with environmental and nuclear protection are closely monitoring the building of seven next generation nuclear power stations on our doorstep. Troublingly, this does not appear to be the case.
“However, it has been reported that the Irish authorities have not engaged with their British counterparts at any level whatsoever on this issue of enormous concern for Irish people. The lack of engagement by Irish agencies thus far leaves a lot to be desired and is bordering on negligence.
“These new plants will be constructed using a fast-tracked planning process which experts believe is deeply flawed. The entire process and the haste in which these facilities are to be rolled out raises serious questions about the British government’s commitment to safety.
“It seems to me that the Irish government has failed to learn the lessons of Sellafield and the long campaigns to have Irish voices heard and taken seriously by that plant’s operators and the British authorities.”
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Childers calls on constituents to support pensions petition
Posted on November 12, 2009 by Eamonn O'Gara
Labour MEP Nessa Childers recently signed a petition by the 'Older and Bolder' community to protect old age pensions, stating that it was "an honour to put my name to such an urgent and worthwhile cause".
An Bord Snip Nua has recently proposed a 5% cut to all social welfare payments. As a former healthcare professional Nessa is fully aware of the impact which a cut in social welfare payments for the elderly might have.
Nessa has called on all her constituents to back the petition, in order to "stop this government targeting some of the most vulnerable members of Irish society on December 8th". The petition can be accessed at http://www.olderandbolder.ie/content/sign-our-petition-defend-state-pensions.
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Ease ban on liquids on aircraft
Posted on November 11, 2009 by Andy White
Labour MEP Nessa Childers has called for an immediate lift of the ban on liquids such as toothpaste or baby bottles bought by travellers in European airports and for a total lift of the ban by 2013 at the latest.
Nessa Childers said: "We still need tight security rules in the fight against terrorism, but once new technology is available in airports, this ban will be totally unnecessary.
“It will improve the travelling experience for many passengers throughout the EU. As an MEP who travels constantly through Dublin and Brussels airports, I know how frustrating it can be see ones liquid’s thrown out by security staff.
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