Archive for 2009
Taxpayers have right to know details of M3 sweetheart toll deal
Posted on August 11, 2009
The agreement by the Government to compensate the M3 toll operator if traffic does not meet expectations is just further evidence of the particular Fianna Fail approach to some large businesses. If the business does well, it makes large profits; if it fails, then the taxpayer foots the bill.
The M3 deal is alarmingly similar to the Government approach to developers. When these thrive, they take the profits. When they fail, a generation of taxpayers picks up the tab. It is in the very nature of enterprise that there be risk. Under the Fianna Fail approach, there is no risk to their sort of entrepreneur, who cannot lose; only a burden on the taxpayer, who cannot win.
Permanent link | Comments (0) | Categories: Transport
Looking forward to challenge as Leinster MEP
Posted on July 14, 2009
After a long and hard election campaign I am looking forward to getting down to work as an MEP, on delivering economic recovery and social change. With Social Democratic parties losing out to the right in many member states this will certainly be a challenge but it is a challenge that I welcome, and one that must be met head on.
With members and delegations from all over the 27 member states there is a real sense of purpose in the corridors of the Parliament building as we begin our new term. It is essential that we transform this sense of purpose into real action on delivering on our commitments.
As an MEP for Leinster, this means fighting for job creation and job retention in an area that, as I highlighted during the election campaign, has been ravaged by redundancies and unemployment in the last two years.
I will also be campaigning for social justice and legislating to protect our environment.
Together, I am in no doubt that we can achieve such progress. Passing the Lisbon treaty is the first step in this process. The Treaty would make the European Union work more efficiently and would put it in a stronger position to fight climate change and tackle the economic downturn.
A much greater share of the world's population are now competing on the same level with us in the same markets in which we need to get a foothold. Irish jobs - and jobs throughout Europe - depend on selling our goods and services. Other trading blocs have upped their game to compete with us. The Lisbon Treaty is Europe upping its game.
Permanent link | Comments (0) | Categories: Foreign & European Affairs • lisbon
Getting Leinster Moving
Posted on June 03, 2009 by Keith Martin
Cover image for Getting Leinster Moving - Nessa Childers
Today, I've launched my new transport policy for Leinster, which is called "Getting Leinster Moving" (pdf).
Government cutbacks have deprived Ireland of the transport network it needs for sustainable economic growth. Reductions in both road and public transport investment show the Government to have the wrong attitude and the wrong priorities. To boost local businesses and help those with daily commutes we need a targeted and effective plan for sustainable transport in Leinster that increases mobility and job creation. To attract investment and bring jobs to our province, it is essential that we show the world that Leinster provides access to a 21st century transport network.
Permanent link | Comments (0) | Categories: Transport
Age Friendly Society
Posted on June 02, 2009 by Keith Martin
I've just launched my new policy for older people, entitled "Age Friendly Society". While there's lots of what I hope are interesting and worthwhile policies in the document, the one that's received the most interest so far has been my proposal to create an EU-wide bus & rail travel pass, similar to the one already in place in Ireland. This would allow all EU citizens over 65 free travel on bus and rail across all 27 member states.
There are three key benefits to this proposal: it would help older people living outside their home state (e.g. Irish people living in the UK) to be able to travel easily when visiting their home country; it would make holidaying in other EU countries easier and cheaper for older people (thereby also helping the Irish tourism industry!); and it would help further the reality of a 'single Europe' with free movement of people among a key part of society.
Other proposals in the document include reinstating medical cards for over 70s and reinstating the Christmas "bonus" in social welfare payments.
I hope you find it interesting.
Permanent link | Comments (0) | Categories: Community Rural & Gaeltacht Affairs • Social & Family Affairs • Transport
Bringing Jobs to Leinster
Posted on May 18, 2009 by Keith Martin
Today I was delighted to be joined by former Finance Minister, and Chairperson of the European Council of Finance Ministers, Ruairi Quinn TD, and local Dáil Deputy Emmet Stagg for the launch of my jobs strategy for Leinster. You can see the full document on the Labour website. The strategy would get thousands of people back to work in the short term, and lay the foundations for high skilled jobs in future industries to be created in the region.
Permanent link | Comments (0) | Categories: Education • Enterprise Trade & Employment • Finance
Leinster can be a Prime Tourism Destination
Posted on May 08, 2009 by Keith Martin
My tourism policy has just been launched in Kilkenny (okay - I'll admit this was written the night before, and auto-posted at the right time!). Joan Burton was there with me, and you can see what each of us said in the press section of the Labour Party website.
The full policy can be downloaded here, but here's a bullet point summary:
Permanent link | Comments (0) | Categories: Arts Sport & Tourism
Nominated!
Posted on May 06, 2009 by Keith Martin
Emmet Stagg & Nessa Childers in Naas after Nessa lodged her nomination papers.
Well, it's official - I'm now a real candidate, and on the ballot paper!
I popped along to see the Kildare County Registrar in Naas this afternoon. Eithne Coughlan is the Returning Officer for Ireland East, so the first of her duties is to take in nominations for the vote. I was delighted to be the first party candidate to be nominated. Unfortunately, that doesn't get me the top spot on the ballot paper, but my surname gets me near to that anyway!
Jack Wall TD and Emmet Stagg TD both joined me for the nomination meeting, and I was delighted to be nominated by my Director of Elections, Liz McManus TD.
Today: To Meath!
Posted on April 29, 2009 by Keith Martin
Just getting ready now to head off to Meath for the day. I'll be in Dunboyne & Ashbourne with local candidates Michael McLoughlin and Niamh McGowan, then in Navan with candidates Jenny McHugh, Anton McCabe and Eileen Drew.
I'll also be back in Meath later in the week, with some canvassing to be done in the very East of the county after the Drogheda Arts Festival on Saturday, and the Jim Connell Festival on Sunday in Crossakiel, near Kells.
You really rack up the miles on a campaign like this, but it's great fun.
Tomorrow, I even get to go to Punchestown for the races!
Permanent link | Comments (0) | Categories: Arts Sport & Tourism
New Jobs for Dundalk
Posted on April 21, 2009 by Keith Martin
I am delighted to hear, while in Louth today, about the creation of 26 new jobs by the Chinese company Chemical Inspection & Regulation Services Ltd, who are setting up their European HQ in the county.
Chemical Inspection & Regulation (CIRS) is an excellent example of jobs being created to deliver services around important environmental legislation. We must enforce strong environmental regulations, and we must actively encourage product and service industries that help companies and individuals to adhere to regulations. This will, in turn, generate jobs in emerging industries.
Permanent link | Categories: Enterprise Trade & Employment • Louth • dundalk • chemicals • reach • Jobs
Visit to Louth
Posted on April 21, 2009 by Keith Martin
(Auto-publishing the press release, as I'm on the road in Louth right now!)
Nessa Childers, Labour Party MEP candidate in Ireland East (formerly Leinster) today visited Louth to meet with students, senior citizens and Labour’s local elections team.
Nessa visited Dundalk Institute of Technology this morning, and, accompanied by Labour Local Elections candidate for Dundalk, Frank O’Brien, met with DKIT Students’ Union President Luke McGahon to discuss the issue of Third Level Fees.Speaking at the DKIT Students’ Union offices, Nessa Childers said:
Permanent link | Comments (0) | Categories: Education • Social & Family Affairs
