Blog Archive | 2009
Shocking treatment of Lenihan family breaches letter and spirit of media privacy codes
Posted on December 29, 2009
The shocking treatment of Minister for Finance, Brian Lenihan and his family in the context of media reports into the Minister’s health is a ‘clear and disturbing breach’ of the Broadcasting Commissions of Ireland’s Code of Programme Standards and the Press Ombudsman’s Privacy Code, according to Labour MEP, Nessa Childers.
“Even a cursory reading of the relevant sections of these Codes shows that the media outlets who went public with the revelations about the Minister’s health status drove a coach and four through the letter and spirit of the frameworks governing print and broadcast media standards in Ireland.
Something rotten in state of Denmark
Posted on December 20, 2009
Irish MEP Nessa Childers described the Copenhagen Accord reached in the Danish capital this weekend as "terribly disappointing and largely pointless. Something really was rotten in the state of Denmark this week," she said.
The Labour MEP who sits on the European Parliament's powerful Environment Committee and was in Copenhagen this week said, "Essentially the world's two biggest polluters, the US and China, have failed to show any leadership on the greatest threat facing humanity. For this they must be condemned by all who care about the future of our planet.
Leaving a snowy Copenhagen...
Posted on December 17, 2009
As I leave Copenhagen today, the soundings coming from the conference do not sound good. It seems we are suffering from a lack of leadership from the US and China is particular and also a less than satisfactory stewardship from the Danish hosts. The shambolic UN organisation of the event, leaving people queuing for hours in the cold didnt help.
For more updates and photos from my Copenhagen trip, check out my Facebook page...
Now to the airport. I hope all the visiting Head of States dont mean the transport options will be blocked off...
Irish NGOs locked out of Copenhagen talks
Posted on December 16, 2009
Speakingfrom outside the UN Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen, LabourMEP Nessa Childers has slammed the decision by conference organizers to ‘lock outnon-governmental environmental groups from witnessing a defining moment inhistory’.
COP15 Latest - Despondency creeping into Copenhagen talks after walkout
Posted on December 15, 2009
We are currently sitting down with the EU Environment Commissioner, Stavros Dimas and S&D Group colleague Jo Leinen (the Chair of my Committee, the European Parliament’s ENVI Committee) where we are being updated on the EU’s up-to-the-minute negotiating position.
I am sorry to report that there is an air of despondency creeping in at the COP 15 after yesterday’s walk-out. Trust and confidence has taken a real knock but it is crucial that the talks get back on track. Momentum has to be restored.
COP15 Latest
Posted on December 14, 2009
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.
Government must push for ‘30/30’ climate deal Childers says in Copenhagen
Posted on December 14, 2009
Speaking from Copenhagen, host city for the UN Climate Change Conference, Nessa Childers, Ireland’s sole member of the European Parliament Environment Committee said:
“The Irish government should lead from the front and urge the EU to offer to cut greenhouse gas emissions by 30 per cent ahead of 2020 in addition to pledging €30b in climate protection measures for developing countries.
“Minister for the Environment John Gormley should accept particular responsibility for pushing a deal towards the higher end of the spectrum, as Ireland is the EU’s second highest emitter of carbon dioxide.
Book digitisation to be welcomed but nobody should have a monopoly
Posted on November 26, 2009
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.
Nessa Childers MEP speaking at the Climate Change Forum, November 2009
Posted on November 26, 2009
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
Childers calls on the EU to boost CO2 reduction offer to 40% ahead of Copenhagen summit
Posted on November 25, 2009
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.
