Strong EU Budget needed for Farmers, R & D and Broadband

Issued : Wednesday 26 October, 2011

Speaking in Strasbourg before the vote on the EU 2012 budget, Nessa
Childers MEP says we need a strong EU budget to help sustain the Irish
recovery.

"While all eyes are on the EU summit in Brussels this week, we are
voting on the EU budget for 2012 in Strasbourg. The investments needed
to boost jobs in Europe should not be delayed because of the current
economic crisis. Smart use of the EU budget is actually part of the
solution to the crisis.

"EU funding combines with government spending across Europe in many
ways. It helps train people in the skills needed for new jobs, it
helps businesses to innovate and grow, it helps rural and regional
development, it helps build infrastructure like roads, railways and
bridges and it helps support cultural diversity and educational
exchanges.

"The EU budget is extremely important for Ireland, which receives
substantial payments via the Single Farm Payment and the Rural
Environment Protection Scheme. Over 85% of our receipts come from
these funds.

"Europe also has obligations to the international community, promoting
economic and social development, keeping the peace and helping victims
of disasters and conflict. MEPs today will also vote to continue
supporting refugees in Palestine.

"In times of financial difficulties and ongoing austerity policies,
the European Parliament is also willing to do its part and make
important savings on administration and on MEPs expenses, currently EU
administrative costs are around 6% of the total EU budget.

CUTS SOUGHT ON PARLIAMENT'S OWN BUDGET:

1) Interpretation and translation: EUR 21 million savings
2) Travel expenses: EUR 4,8 million savings (5% cut)
3) Further energy and paper savings.
4) Freezing of all MEP expenses
5) Study comparing EP budget to that of US Congress


EXAMPLES OF EU FUNDING IN IRELAND EAST:

1. Naas and Newbridge by-passes recieved co-funding
2. Clane, Newbridge, and Sallins got improved broadband.
3. NUI Maynooth benefits from EU funding through European Research and
Development funding.
4. The European Social Fund has benefited Kilkenny by investing in
youth programmes, adult education and employment initiatives.
5. The DART extension to Greystones received 50% of its funding from the EU.
6. EU funding has also helped develop Wicklow’s forestry.