Ireland: MEP Colm Burke campaigns in Waterford

MEP Colm Burke has issued the following statement:

In my recent campaign visit to Waterford jobs, jobs, jobs” was key message from people and also that the Government must apply for European funding for Waterford immediately. The message from the people of Waterford could not be clearer; Waterford has suffered more than most counties from the economic downturn. Many people I have met on the canvass are struggling to cope and are desperate for the Government to take a proactive lead in ensuring that Waterford receives its fair share of support and European funding.

I voted recently in the European Parliament to change the criteria under which applications can be made for the European Globalisation Adjustment Fund. It will now be easier for EU funds to be deployed to help laid off workers in Waterford Crystal and in downstream companies which have also been affected.

The Government must apply for monies from the European Globalisation Adjustment Fund as a matter of urgency to deliver benefits for the laid off workers in Munster. The Government has no reason not to submit an application now. Any delay on the Government’s part will only further prolong the struggle being experienced by Waterford workers and their families.. There is also nothing preventing the Government from now putting mechanisms in place to prepare for the retraining and up skilling of those that have been made redundant.

Under the new rules, member states will be able to apply for financial support for businesses that lay off 500 or more workers, as opposed to the current threshold of 1,000.Over the next two years, the level of EU-provided financial support will increase to 75%, compared to the current 50%,. The ball is now in the Government’s court to proceed with an application. If it is successful the EU will provide €3 to match every euro the Government puts forward, up until now it was euro for euro.In real terms this should mean greater funding to help retrain and upskill and give entrepreneurial advice to workers laid off. It sends a strong message from the heart of Europe that funds are there to help those who, through no fault of their own, are affected by this crisis. Assistance of this kind is paramount so that those laid off can recover and drive Ireland out of recession.

Ireland- Euro Elections: Can Burke,Crowley and Sinnott hold Munster seats?

The Euro election campaign in Munster is now in full swing. FG candidates - outgoing MEP Colm Burke and Sean Kelly former president of the GAA have put together two strong campaign teams. Colm Burke has been subjected to some unfair criticism in relation to his profile. It is well to remember that he has been MEP for only two years. He is articulate and hard working. He has been active on the issue of EU aid for Dell workers and secured concessions which benefited the Hasbro toy factory in Waterford. Colm Burke has been vocal on agriculture and fishing issues also.
Both Colm Burke and Independent MEP Kathy Sinnott were interviewed on Waterford Local Radio today. The two candidates were impressive. Colm Burke came across as quite a strong candidate.

Sean Kelly has a very high profile based on his time as president of the GAA where he was instrumental in the opening up of Croke Park to rugby and soccer internationals. He is generally regarded as one of the best presidents of the GAA. He has strong positions on major issues such as agriculture, health, unemployment and fishing. 500 people attended the launch of his impressive website. He should poll very well.

Independent Kathy Sinnott has been quite active since her election as an MEP. She is strong on such issues as health, disability and life. She has a high profile.

FF has two candidates running. Sitting MEP Brian Crowley has been an MEP for 15 years. He should hold his seat. He is joined by Ned O'Keeffe. It is rumoured that Brian Crowley is interested in the presidency of Ireland. If Crowley were elected president Ned O'Keeffe could take his seat as first substitute. Ned O'Keeffe is no sacrificial lamb and sparks may fly.

Alan Kelly from Tipperary is the Labour Party candidate. Over the last year he has been active on radio and television and has been gradually building a profile. He will hope to take the third seat.

Toireasa Ferris from Kerry is the Sinn Fein candidate. She will hold the republican vote but lacks sufficient profile to win a seat. She will also be damaged by the fact that there is another female candidate in the race and by the fact that the Labour Party is resurgent.

The Green Party candidate is Senator Dan Boyle . He is unlikely to win a seat.

It is too early to call the outcome as campaigns are in their initial stages. FF will win one seat, FG will win one. The third seat could be a dogfight between the second FG candidate, Kathy Sinnott and Alan Kelly.

Colm Burke MEP tackles problem of rogue doctors struck off the medical register in one member state of the EU, but who move elsewhere to practice

The problem of so-called rogue doctors - medical professionals who have been struck off the medical register in one member state of the EU, but who move elsewhere to practice - is being addressed by FG MEP Colm Burke in the European Parliament as co-author of the Cross-Border Healthcare report for the European Parliament's Internal Market Committee. Thankfully an integrated approach to this problem has begun to evolve.

Colm Burke states:

Addressing this crisis has been a high priority of mine since I became a Member of the European Parliament in 2007 and I have sought put an end to this problem by amending the Cross-border Healthcare Directive. This can be achieved by setting up an EU-wide medical registry, to prevent dodgy doctors and quacks from unscrupulously crossing borders to practice illegally. My amendment states in clear terms how this can be achieved, it is through focused legislative action at the EU level that we can tackle this crisis.

My amendment reads "There shall be an EU register of professional medical practitioners who have been struck off the medical register or are subject to restrictions or disciplinary procedures by the relevant authorities of any Member State in the EU." I have secured enough backing in the European Parliament to support this measure. This amendment should be voted through in May, and then we can start compiling an EU register of struck off doctors, so that Irish patients are not put at risk by being treated by these unscrupulous operators from other countries.

Fine Gael Introduces A Private Members Motion On Food Labelling In The Dail This Evening

In a move which has got little media attention Fine Gael is introducing a motion in the Dail this evening to bring in comprehensive food labelling legislation. This move is welcome. For some strange reason Irish consumers expect to secure cheap food in perpetuity. To produce cheap food it is often necessary to import lower quality raw materials than the indigenous product.
In Ireland there is a tendency among consumers to adopt a cavalier attitude to food safety until some health scare emerges.

Fine Gael MEPs Avril Doyle and Colm Burke have called on Mr Kyprianou the EU Health Commissioner to act immediately to protect consumers.
"I am convinced that there is a serious argument and sound scientific case for banning Brazilian beef imports due to the lack of traceability, the availability of veterinary medicines without prescription, and the risk of the use of growth hormones," Ms Doyle said.

According to FG Agriculture spokesman Michael Creed:
"There are inadequacies in the Irish labelling regime and we are attempting to force Government action through a Private Members' Motion in the Dáil this evening. One important issue is a loophole in our labelling laws known as 'substantial transformation' which means that meat which is imported into this country and which undergoes minimal processing, such as the addition of breadcrumbs or seasoning, can be labelled as Irish.

"Government Ministers in the Departments of Health and Agriculture must get their act together to bring in the relevant legislation to protect consumers and support the economically and socially important agri-food sector. The Minister has claimed that legislation is forthcoming but both the Taoiseach and Tánaiste have confirmed to me in the Dáil that no such legislation is promised in the near future.

"It is not acceptable for the Government to keep this issue on the back burner when food safety, transparency and traceability are of massive public concern. We are calling on the Government to act urgently to protect consumers and the agri-food industry and we will support the introduction of comprehensive legislation at the earliest opportunity."

Thankfully one Irish political party is taking this issue seriously.