Archive for 2009
Watch Nessa Childers make her first speech to the European Parliament - Lisbon Treaty
Posted on October 08, 2009 by Bronwen Maher
Please click on the link below to see Nessa addressing the European Parliament - 07.10.09
http://www.europarl.europa.eu/sides/getVod.do?mode=unit&language=EN&vodId=1254940210415
Irish People have allowed Europe to 'up its game' by ratifying Lisbon Treaty
Posted on October 07, 2009 by Bronwen Maher
Nessa Childers has said that the ratification of the Lisbon Treaty by the Irish people will allow Europe to “up its game and behave more coherently on the world stage.
”Speaking in Brussels today on Ireland’s ratification of the Treaty, Nessa Childers told the Parliament, “the current state of the world economy means that we do not the luxury of retreating to narrow nationalism or a localism that can be destructive in terms conduct of our economic affairs. “27 nations going it alone, figuring that each distinct nation has its own unique cure to its own economic ills does not represent the best way forward by any measurement. In fact, this approach ignores the economic and geopolitical realities of 2009.
Childers Welcomes Lisbon YES vote
Posted on October 07, 2009 by Bronwen Maher
Local Labour MEP, Nessa Childers has warmly welcomed the decision by the people of the Ireland East constituency to overwhelmingly back the Lisbon Treaty.
She said, “The Yes vote in the Leinster area, at an average of 69.3% was higher than the national average. I have been campaigning vigorously with local Labour TDs, Councillors and members since last August, all of whom have been asking voters to set aside their anger with this appalling government and do the right thing for Ireland and Europe.
“People have responded to our message that Lisbon will make European states work more effectively together on pressing matters such as economic revival and growth and tackling climate change and provides, under the Charter of Fundamental Rights, considerable improvements in the rights of workers.
“As a member of the European Parliament Environment Committee, I am looking forward to Europe using its much bigger influence on the world stage to combat climate change and to work on renewable energy projects and energy security which is critical to our future.”
Letter from NESSA CHILDERS MEP re; Lisbon Treaty
Posted on September 28, 2009 by Bronwen Maher
Patricia McKenna’s claim (September 26th) that the Lisbon Treaty will not help the EU to fight climate change is one of the more bizarre and disingenuous assertions made by any element in the eclectic No camp during the course of this referendum campaign.
In the context of my work as Ireland’s only member of the European Parliament’s Environment Committee, I can immediately recognise the value of ratification of the Treaty from an environmental perspective.
Article 191 explicitly, and for the first time, commits the European Union to “promoting measures at international level to deal with regional and worldwide environmental problems, and in particular combating climate change.” Article 194 deals with energy, and seeks to “promote the development of new and renewable forms of energy.” Simply put, we cannot have one without the other.
As a former MEP, Patricia McKenna knows that all EU legislation is derived from the Treaties. This new legal commitment under Lisbon means the EU will be much better equipped to tackle climate change in a more competent and aggressive fashion.
Not for the first time in recent weeks, I find myself wondering whether Patricia McKenna has been reading the same version of the Lisbon Treaty as I have.
Lisbon Treaty crucial for Irish jobs, Childers tells Kildare meeting
Posted on September 28, 2009 by Bronwen Maher
Labour MEP Nessa Childers has told a meeting of the North Kildare Labour Party that the ratification of the Lisbon Treaty is crucial for Irish jobs.
Speaking at a meeting today in the Springfield Hotel, Leixlip, she said, “Ireland’s reputation internationally has taken a hammering in recent months. We are all paying the price but none more so than the almost 450,000 people who are currently on the Live Register.
Speech by Nessa Childers MEP at the launch of the Labour Women Lisbon Campaign
Posted on September 14, 2009 by Bronwen Maher
Since the start of this referendum campaign, I have been asked by people up and down the country; “Why are you supporting a Yes vote for Lisbon?” This is a fair question to ask.
As I am not in the Parliament long enough to be considered as an EU insider, I have had to make my own minds up on such matters. I support the Lisbon Treaty, not just as a public representative passionate about the European ideal.
I support the Lisbon Treaty as a woman and as a mother of two children.
The impact of EU membership on Irish women, on the equality agenda and in terms of the broadening out of economic, social and cultural opportunities have been incalculable.
Lisbon a positive step for women - Labour
Posted on September 14, 2009 by Bronwen Maher
Aoife Carr
The Lisbon Treaty is a positive step for the women of Ireland and will make Europe more open and equal, according to Labour Women’s International Officer Mary Flynn.
Speaking at the launch of the Labour Women Lisbon Campaign today, Ms Flynn said Europe would be more equal if the treaty was passed.
“The Lisbon Treaty has specific aims to combat social exclusion and poverty. It protects public service provision, and equality provisions are strengthened,” she said.
“Positive discrimination measures are allowed for under-represented groups. Finally, the Charter of Fundamental Rights is an equal part of the treaty strengthening our basic rights.”
Ms Flynn said if the treaty was rejected, the EU would have to operate under the Nice Treaty.
Speech by Nessa Childers MEP at the PES Forum Environmental Panel discussion
Posted on September 14, 2009 by Bronwen Maher
As a newly elected MEP I would like to take the opportunity to thank the PES for the extremely warm and fraternal welcome which has been extended to me from my very first day in the Parliament.
That sense of belonging to a wider community, the sense of a commitment to a set of common, shared values and the very unique set of beliefs and ideals which bind us together as members of the socialist and social democratic family means that we are members of the movement which is best placed to tackle and deliver on one of the key challenges of our times – global warming and climate change.
Childers says Irish exporters can only benefit from re-structured EU under Lisbon
Posted on September 09, 2009 by Bronwen Maher
Ireland’s exporters, the “power house of Irish prosperity” can only benefit if this country joins the other 26 European Union states in saying ‘yes’ to the Lisbon Reform Treaty.
Speaking in Rosslare, Co. Wexford today (Friday, 4th September) at the Exports Europe Day, hosted by the Irish Exporters’ Association and Rosslare Europort, Labour MEP for Ireland East Nessa Childers said that “Ireland will sink or swim to the extent that we are successful international traders.”
“This small trading country exports over 80% of what it produces. We exported about €87 billion worth of goods in 2008 and €67 billion in services. At present, about 60% of our exports go to our partner EU states with about 35%-40% within the Eurozone.
Lisbon represents a 'good deal for workers and a good deal for trade unions'
Posted on September 03, 2009 by Bronwen Maher
Labour MEP for Ireland East, Nessa Childers has welcomed the publication today (Tuesday, 1st September) of a document from the Charter Group of trade union leaders outlining why the Lisbon Treaty is good for Irish workers and trade unions, stating that the publication is “an informed, measured and accurate depiction of where Lisbon stands on workers rights and the delivery of a ‘Social Europe.”
