Need for patient re-negotiation One of my great delights since becoming an MEP was meeting the great Dr. Garret FitzGerald on one of his many visits to Brussels. He was a frequent visitor to the EU institutions where he would debate and argue imaginatively and energetically about the past, present and future of the Union. Others have written more eloquently about his many fine political achievements. I remember Garret from my teenage years as an inspiring politician who believed passionately in ideas and who encouraged many young women into politics. He will be remembered for leading public opinion on many difficult issues and helped to create a more open and outward looking society. Described as one of Ireland’s best Europeans, he will be missed by those of us committed to the European ideal. In recent weeks Fine Gael lost another great politician and patriot with the passing of Declan Costello. In word and deed he brought a deep awareness of the social dimension of economic policy and a profound sense of care for the vulnerable. The values he espoused continue to inform and inspire Fine Gael. Ar dheis De go raibh siad. Rarely has the EU agenda been stacked with so many pressing matters. The current agenda includes; tackling economic performance, increasing competitiveness, fixing a new EU budget, dealing with climate change, developing external relations and trade policy while seeking to secure EU energy needs in the face of declining confidence in the safety of nuclear power. But the most pressing problem facing the EU centres around the on-going debt crisis and fears about the sustainability of debt in the Eurozone. The Government is intent on meeting Ireland’s commitments in relation to loans and the targets set out in the IMF/EU bailout agreement, while at the same time it is also actively negotiating for changes to that agreement. Addressing the interest rate on the loans has proved difficult. Whereas the EU Commission has agreed in principle that we should get a rate reduction, unrealistic demands are being made by both France and Germany as a quid pro quo for such a reduction. The French are demanding the impossible in calling into question our corporation tax rate. The Germans are also calling for concessions. Ironically, our strongest ally appears to be the IMF which has described our problems as “a shared European problem that requires a shared European solution.” The IMF’s Ajai Chopra said that more European funding needs to be made available for bail-out countries if the crisis in the euro area is to be contained. But in his most telling comments he remarked that countries affected by banking and economic problems “cannot do it alone.” He suggests that an unacceptable burden is being placed on them by budgetary cuts that may not be economically or politically feasible. And he rejected any attempts to force us to increase our corporation tax rate saying that they are inconsistent with our efforts to restore growth. The IMF is particularly opposed to any deepening of our austerity measures saying it would retard growth in an already difficult economic environment. We must do all in our power to avoid the cocktail of low growth, high unemployment and higher interest rates which will make it extremely difficult for our economy to recover. So how do we convince our EU partners that this is a shared problem? Some Irish political voices propose dramatic and drastic action like walking away from the EU/IMF deal. However, as economist Colm McCarthy recently wrote, “....no unilateral course of action is available to the Irish Government that will work. Those who suggest burning the bondholders, leaving the Eurozone or telling the IMF/EU to take a hike have failed to come up with a policy programme that has a decent probability of working to Ireland’s advantage.” His solution: patient re-negotiation of the deal. I agree, it is the only rational course of action for the government over the next few years. CONTACT MAIREAD Email: [email protected] Website: www.maireadmcguinness.ie CONSTITUENCY OFFICE: Mentrim, Drumconrath, Navan, Co. Meath Tel: +353 (0)41 685 4633 Fax: +353 (0)41 685 4634 BRUSSELS OFFICE: Tel: +32 (0) 2284 7214 Fax: +32 (0) 2284 9214 Mairead McGuinness MEP HARD WORKING, STRAIGHT TALKING SUMMER EDITION 2011 GIANTS OF OUR TIME
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Need for patient re-negotiation
One of my great delights since becoming an MEP was meeting the great Dr. Garret FitzGerald on one of his many visits to Brussels. He was a frequent visitor to the EU institutions where he would debate and argue imaginatively and energetically about the past, present and future of the Union.Others have written more eloquently about his many fine political achievements. I remember Garret from my teenage years as an inspiring politician who believed passionately in ideas and who encouraged many young women into politics. He will be remembered for leading public opinion on many difficult issues and
helped to create a more open and outward looking society.Described as one of Ireland’s best Europeans, he will be missed by those of us committed to the European ideal. In recent weeks Fine Gael lost another great politician and patriot with the passing of Declan Costello. In word and deed he brought a deep awareness of the social dimension of economic policy and a profound sense of care for the vulnerable. The values he espoused continue to inform and inspire Fine Gael. Ar dheis De go raibh siad.
Rarely has the EU agenda been stacked with so many pressing matters. The current agenda includes; tackling economic performance, increasing competitiveness, fixing a new EU budget, dealing with climate change, developing external relations and trade policy while seeking to secure EU energy needs in the face of declining confidence in the safety of nuclear power.
But the most pressing problem facing the EU centres around the on-going debt crisis and fears about the sustainability of debt in the Eurozone.
The Government is intent on meeting Ireland’s commitments in relation to loans and the targets set out in the IMF/EU bailout agreement, while at the same time it is also actively negotiating for changes to that agreement.
Addressing the interest rate on the loans has proved difficult. Whereas the EU Commission has agreed in principle that we should get a rate reduction, unrealistic demands are being made by both France and Germany as a quid pro quo for such a reduction.
The French are demanding the impossible in calling into question our corporation tax rate. The Germans are also calling for concessions.
Ironically, our strongest ally appears to be the IMF which has described our problems as “a shared European problem that requires a shared European solution.”
The IMF’s Ajai Chopra said that more European funding needs to be made available for bail-out countries if the crisis in the euro area is to be contained.
But in his most telling comments he remarked that countries affected by banking and economic problems “cannot do it alone.” He suggests that an unacceptable burden is being placed on them by budgetary cuts that may not be economically or politically feasible.
And he rejected any attempts to force us to increase our corporation tax rate saying that they are inconsistent with our efforts to restore growth.
The IMF is particularly opposed to any deepening of our austerity measures
saying it would retard growth in an already difficult economic environment.
We must do all in our power to avoid the cocktail of low growth, high unemployment and higher interest rates which will make it extremely difficult for our economy to recover.
So how do we convince our EU partners that this is a shared problem?
Some Irish political voices propose dramatic and drastic action like walking away from the EU/IMF deal.
However, as economist Colm McCarthy recently wrote, “....no unilateral course of action is available to the Irish Government that will work. Those who suggest burning the bondholders, leaving the Eurozone or telling the IMF/EU to take a hike have failed to come up with a policy programme that has a decent probability of working to Ireland’s advantage.”
His solution: patient re-negotiation of the deal. I agree, it is the only rational course of action for the government over the next few years.
CoNtaCt MaireadEmail: [email protected] Website: www.maireadmcguinness.ie
CoNstitueNCy offiCe: Mentrim, Drumconrath, Navan, Co. Meath Tel: +353 (0)41 685 4633 Fax: +353 (0)41 685 4634
Brussels offiCe: Tel: +32 (0) 2284 7214 Fax: +32 (0) 2284 9214
Mairead McGuinness MeP HARD WORKING, STRAIGHT TALKINGSUMMER EDITION 2011
GiaNts of our tiMe
Mairead with research scholar, Conor Duff, from Co. Meath, at the launch of
the EU-funded Task Furniture in Education (TFE) project in the National College
of Art and Design, Dublin. The project will research ergonomic design of school
furniture for children in Europe and the U.S.
useful WeBsitesThese are some useful websites for more information on the EU and the Parliament.
europe direct http://ec.europa.eu/europedirect/index_en.htm
the european Commission in ireland http://ec.europa.eu/ireland/welcome/index_en.htm
the european Parliament http://www.europarl.europa.eu
the european Commission http://ec.europa.eu
Council of the european union http://www.consilium.europa.eu
ePP Group in the european Parliament http://www.eppgroup.eu
Mairead with John Mulligan and Frances Haworth, Editors, "Going
Forward Looking Back" - reflections on two decades of Irish aid involvement in Eastern Europe - at the book's launch in NUI Maynooth.
Lighting a candle in Strasbourg against the persecution of Christians and
other religious minorities. Mairead with European Parliament President,
Jerzy Buzek MEP, and Gay Mitchell MEP.
Marking this year's National Enterprise Week at Bank of Ireland, Ballinasloe; Mairead with Paul Connaughton, Jnr., T.D and Gerry Real, Manager, Bank of Ireland, Ballinasloe.
eureka Group
One of the most important aspects of my work is to listen to you and keep you informed about what is happening in Europe. The quickest way to keep up-to-date and watch what is happening is through my website www.maireadmcguinness.ie
Log on for news, comment and information.
Students from Eureka Secondary School in Kells visited the Parliament in Brussels in March. In 2010 the school was awarded a Green Flag in recognition of its work on
litter management, recycling and planting. It is now undertaking a project on energy efficiency and water conservation as part of the Green Schools initiative.
Cian and Sadhbh McCann from Blackrock, Co. Louth on a visit to the European Parliament, as part of Sabhdh's winning prize in the Europe Direct "Have your say! Soapbox Competition on Wind Energy".
Macra members were in Brussels in April to attend the CEJA (European Young Farmers) General Assembly. Pictured with Mairead are: Kieran McEvoy, Laois, Eric Driver, Carlow; Derry Dillon, Listowel.
The general indications about the direction of the CAP reforms are available. However, there is very little clarity about the impact at farm level, or how direct payments will be distributed in the future.
This is leading to huge uncertainty, with farmers attempting to second guess the outcome of the talks.
The European Parliament has given its view about the future - but again other than general statements and direction, there is no hard information on the final shape of the reformed CAP, which will be finalised most likely in 2013.
This means that the current system of direct payments will hold for 2013 and possibly 2014, if the timetable for the reforms continues to slip.
Whatever is agreed and whenever it is agreed, there will be a phasing-in period to avoid massive disruption at farm level.
The Parliament supports a linking of direct payments to environmental measures - paying farmers for the provision of so-called "public goods and services" including environmental protection, biodiversity and water quality. These are the things which society demands and which the EU needs but are not rewarded in the price paid by the market for agriculture produce.
A flat rate payment per hectare is rejected out of hand, but some combination
of a basic payment plus a top up for such things as energy efficiency, climate change mitigation, provision of habitats, permanent pasture etc is being debated. Again the debate is inconclusive. There is no real support in the Parliament for the continuation of the historic payment system in place in Ireland.
Heated discussions about redistribution of payments between Member States and between farmers continue and will prove difficult to resolve. The budget for agriculture post-2013 is also under review and efforts continue to ensure that we retain the current level of funding for the CAP. This is a national priority.
Market management measures will be retained and are necessary in times of increased market volatility. It will be important that these measures are effective in stabilising markets when required.
The question of fairness in the food supply chain is also part of the debate. How do we ensure that farmers get better returns from the marketplace?
It is likely that the sugar regime will form part of the new CAP, but views differ about how we should address the current market shortage for EU-produced quality sugar. Given the loss of our valuable sugar industry, this is particularly significant.
uncertainty over CaP post-2013CONCRETE PROPOSALS FROM THE EU COMMISSION ON THE NUTS AND BOLTS OF THE NEW CAP POST-2013 MAy NOT ACTUALLy EMERGE UNTIL THE NEW yEAR.
Discussing the implications of a possible Mercosur deal with the IFA; Michael Treacy, IFA Brussels; John Bryan, IFA President and Kevin Kinsella, IFA Livestock Director.
Over 7 years FP7 is investing more than €55 billion in areas including agriculture, fisheries and food, health, nanotechnology, biotechnology, information and communication technologies, transport, energy, environment, and climate change.
Innovation is the key economic policy at the heart of Europe's programme for growth and jobs as set out in the Europe 2020 strategy. Innovation is about finding new and better ways to use ideas, research, technology and processes to develop new goods and services that can be traded in a globally competitive market.
Last year Ireland's Commissioner for Research, Innovation and Science, Máire Geoghegan-Quinn launched the Innovation Union initiative - a detailed programme of action to stimulate innovation in both the private and public sectors with the aim of boosting Europe's research capacity. Visit the dedicated website: www.ec.europa.eu/research/innovation-union
Irish-based organisations have already been awarded €270 million from FP7, and are expected to have received more than €600 million from the total Framework Programme by 2013.
What started out as a simple idea - to label foods so that consumers would be better informed about what they are eating - has become a very difficult and complex piece of legislation.
Some of the key points argued by the Parliament are that labels should be legible, do not mislead and that they provide information that helps consumers make informed choices about the food they eat.
MEPs agreed that key nutritional information, such as energy content, and amounts of fat, saturated fat, carbohydrates, sugars, protein and salt, must be indicated in a legible tabular form on the back of the packaging. Artificial trans fats will also be included in the list.
The origin of certain foods, such as beef, honey, olive oil, fresh fruit and vegetables must already be stated on the label but MEPs voted to go further; they insisted that "place or country of provenance" be indicated for all meat and poultry, milk and dairy products and other single-ingredient products. The Parliament also voted to state the country of provenance for meat, poultry and fish when it used as an ingredient in processed foods.
Specifically in the case of meat, the label should indicate where the animal was born, reared and slaughtered and when meat comes from slaughter without stunning it should be labelled thus. "Formed meat" should be written on the label of meat consisting of combined meat parts.
MEPs get hundreds of emails every day and each email receives attention. This is one of the primary ways we have of keeping in touch with our constituents. Email: [email protected] Website www.maireadmcguinness.ie
Growth through researchTHE EU 7TH FRAMEWORK PROGRAMME (FP7) FOR RESEARCH AND TECHNOLOGICAL DEvELOPMENT IS THE WORLD'S LARGEST PUBLIC PROGRAMME FOR RESEARCH.
What's on the menu?
Mairead pictured at Bloom 2011 with Ciara McCormack , Commercial Manager with Wonderfoods, part of the Donnelly Group and Ciaran Donnelly, director Donnelly Fruit & Veg.
The ongoing talks between the EU and the Mercosur countries (Argentina, Brazil, Uruguay and Paraguay) on a bilateral trade agreement remain a major issue of concern.
An EU-Mercosur agreement, if successfully concluded, would result in the creation of the world's largest bilateral free-trade zone.
The benefits it might bring to EU industry would be outweighed by the negative implications for EU agriculture and for EU food production.
Beef production faces real problems if an agreement is reached. An EU Commission study has shown that reaching a trade agreement would inflict up to €3 billion in losses for EU agriculture between now and 2020, with Ireland, the UK and France identified as suffering the biggest losses.
Beef production in Ireland would be decimated with significant job losses in the meat processing sector.
At a time when there is so much talk of climate change and of the need to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, the EU Commission's pursuit of a deal almost at all costs is hard to understand.
The Mercosur countries want access to our food markets. If this happens the EU will be forced to make huge concessions leading to an increase in beef imports to the EU from South America where production practices are significantly less climate friendly. In fact Irish beef production is four times more efficient in terms of greenhouse gas emissions than production practices in South America.
We cannot have agriculture used as a bargaining chip in trade negotiations. In order to meet the demands of a growing world population and ensure global food security, a sustainable, strong agricultural sector in the EU is vital and should not and cannot be compromised.
Battling on beef
equitable Payouts.
fishing for Change
In 2007 the Committee of Inquiry into the demise of Equitable Life, which I chaired, issued its findings. I am relieved that at last the British Government has announced an Equitable Life Compensation Scheme, with payments due to begin this summer.
Our Committee of Inquiry recommended that the British Government should compensate in full all those who lost out. Disappointingly not everyone who has been a victim of Equitable Life will receive the compensation they deserve.
Over one million UK policy holders and more than 15,000 policy holders in other EU countries, including 6,500 in Ireland incurred losses.
If you hold, or have held, a policy with Equitable Life that started between 1992 and 2000 and you have not been contacted you might still be eligible to receive compensation.
Visit the Payment Scheme site: http://equitable lifepaymentscheme.independent.gov.uk
Maritime Policy and Fisheries Commissioner Maria Damanaki is working towards fundamental reform of the Common Fisheries Policy with a view to achieving the goal of "sustainable fisheries".
The Commission is confronted with the problem that too many boats are chasing too few fish.
If we don't change the policy, only eight out of 136 European fish stocks will continue to be healthy - an alarming and unacceptable possibility.
This will demand tackling both the EU's internal and external fisheries policy. There is growing acceptance that some of the current practices cannot continue.
The Commissioner's plans are expected to include a ban on discards – the practice of throwing fish overboard to die when they are unprofitable to land or because the boat is already over its quota. This has angered the public and is an inexcusable and unacceptable practice.
MEPs get hundreds of emails every day and each one receives attention. This is one of the primary ways we have of keeping in touch with our constituents. Email me at [email protected]
Follow me on Twitter @maireadMcGMEP or Facebook Mairead McGuinness
Milk contracts?The Commission has come forward with proposals that provide for written contracts between milk producers and processors, and the possibility to negotiate contract terms collectively to help rebalance the bargaining power of milk producers.
However, it is insisting that there will be no relaxation of the quota and super-levy rules; despite the reality that overall the EU remains under quota. The EU Commission has spoken of a ‘soft landing’ post 2015. For Ireland, as we plan to expand milk production, this would be essential.
Mairead and Hugh Fearnley Whittingstall
Macra members were in Brussels in April to attend the CEJA (European Young Farmers) General Assembly. Pictured with Mairead are: Kieran McEvoy, Laois, Eric Driver, Carlow; Derry Dillon, Listowel.
The general indications about the direction of the CAP reforms are available. However, there is very little clarity about the impact at farm level, or how direct payments will be distributed in the future.
This is leading to huge uncertainty, with farmers attempting to second guess the outcome of the talks.
The European Parliament has given its view about the future - but again other than general statements and direction, there is no hard information on the final shape of the reformed CAP, which will be finalised most likely in 2013.
This means that the current system of direct payments will hold for 2013 and possibly 2014, if the timetable for the reforms continues to slip.
Whatever is agreed and whenever it is agreed, there will be a phasing-in period to avoid massive disruption at farm level.
The Parliament supports a linking of direct payments to environmental measures - paying farmers for the provision of so-called "public goods and services" including environmental protection, biodiversity and water quality. These are the things which society demands and which the EU needs but are not rewarded in the price paid by the market for agriculture produce.
A flat rate payment per hectare is rejected out of hand, but some combination
of a basic payment plus a top up for such things as energy efficiency, climate change mitigation, provision of habitats, permanent pasture etc is being debated. Again the debate is inconclusive. There is no real support in the Parliament for the continuation of the historic payment system in place in Ireland.
Heated discussions about redistribution of payments between Member States and between farmers continue and will prove difficult to resolve. The budget for agriculture post-2013 is also under review and efforts continue to ensure that we retain the current level of funding for the CAP. This is a national priority.
Market management measures will be retained and are necessary in times of increased market volatility. It will be important that these measures are effective in stabilising markets when required.
The question of fairness in the food supply chain is also part of the debate. How do we ensure that farmers get better returns from the marketplace?
It is likely that the sugar regime will form part of the new CAP, but views differ about how we should address the current market shortage for EU-produced quality sugar. Given the loss of our valuable sugar industry, this is particularly significant.
uncertainty over CaP post-2013CONCRETE PROPOSALS FROM THE EU COMMISSION ON THE NUTS AND BOLTS OF THE NEW CAP POST-2013 MAy NOT ACTUALLy EMERGE UNTIL THE NEW yEAR.
Discussing the implications of a possible Mercosur deal with the IFA; Michael Treacy, IFA Brussels; John Bryan, IFA President and Kevin Kinsella, IFA Livestock Director.
Over 7 years FP7 is investing more than €55 billion in areas including agriculture, fisheries and food, health, nanotechnology, biotechnology, information and communication technologies, transport, energy, environment, and climate change.
Innovation is the key economic policy at the heart of Europe's programme for growth and jobs as set out in the Europe 2020 strategy. Innovation is about finding new and better ways to use ideas, research, technology and processes to develop new goods and services that can be traded in a globally competitive market.
Last year Ireland's Commissioner for Research, Innovation and Science, Máire Geoghegan-Quinn launched the Innovation Union initiative - a detailed programme of action to stimulate innovation in both the private and public sectors with the aim of boosting Europe's research capacity. Visit the dedicated website: www.ec.europa.eu/research/innovation-union
Irish-based organisations have already been awarded €270 million from FP7, and are expected to have received more than €600 million from the total Framework Programme by 2013.
What started out as a simple idea - to label foods so that consumers would be better informed about what they are eating - has become a very difficult and complex piece of legislation.
Some of the key points argued by the Parliament are that labels should be legible, do not mislead and that they provide information that helps consumers make informed choices about the food they eat.
MEPs agreed that key nutritional information, such as energy content, and amounts of fat, saturated fat, carbohydrates, sugars, protein and salt, must be indicated in a legible tabular form on the back of the packaging. Artificial trans fats will also be included in the list.
The origin of certain foods, such as beef, honey, olive oil, fresh fruit and vegetables must already be stated on the label but MEPs voted to go further; they insisted that "place or country of provenance" be indicated for all meat and poultry, milk and dairy products and other single-ingredient products. The Parliament also voted to state the country of provenance for meat, poultry and fish when it used as an ingredient in processed foods.
Specifically in the case of meat, the label should indicate where the animal was born, reared and slaughtered and when meat comes from slaughter without stunning it should be labelled thus. "Formed meat" should be written on the label of meat consisting of combined meat parts.
MEPs get hundreds of emails every day and each email receives attention. This is one of the primary ways we have of keeping in touch with our constituents. Email: [email protected] Website www.maireadmcguinness.ie
Growth through researchTHE EU 7TH FRAMEWORK PROGRAMME (FP7) FOR RESEARCH AND TECHNOLOGICAL DEvELOPMENT IS THE WORLD'S LARGEST PUBLIC PROGRAMME FOR RESEARCH.
What's on the menu?
Mairead pictured at Bloom 2011 with Ciara McCormack , Commercial Manager with Wonderfoods, part of the Donnelly Group and Ciaran Donnelly, director Donnelly Fruit & Veg.
The ongoing talks between the EU and the Mercosur countries (Argentina, Brazil, Uruguay and Paraguay) on a bilateral trade agreement remain a major issue of concern.
An EU-Mercosur agreement, if successfully concluded, would result in the creation of the world's largest bilateral free-trade zone.
The benefits it might bring to EU industry would be outweighed by the negative implications for EU agriculture and for EU food production.
Beef production faces real problems if an agreement is reached. An EU Commission study has shown that reaching a trade agreement would inflict up to €3 billion in losses for EU agriculture between now and 2020, with Ireland, the UK and France identified as suffering the biggest losses.
Beef production in Ireland would be decimated with significant job losses in the meat processing sector.
At a time when there is so much talk of climate change and of the need to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, the EU Commission's pursuit of a deal almost at all costs is hard to understand.
The Mercosur countries want access to our food markets. If this happens the EU will be forced to make huge concessions leading to an increase in beef imports to the EU from South America where production practices are significantly less climate friendly. In fact Irish beef production is four times more efficient in terms of greenhouse gas emissions than production practices in South America.
We cannot have agriculture used as a bargaining chip in trade negotiations. In order to meet the demands of a growing world population and ensure global food security, a sustainable, strong agricultural sector in the EU is vital and should not and cannot be compromised.
Battling on beef
equitable Payouts.
fishing for Change
In 2007 the Committee of Inquiry into the demise of Equitable Life, which I chaired, issued its findings. I am relieved that at last the British Government has announced an Equitable Life Compensation Scheme, with payments due to begin this summer.
Our Committee of Inquiry recommended that the British Government should compensate in full all those who lost out. Disappointingly not everyone who has been a victim of Equitable Life will receive the compensation they deserve.
Over one million UK policy holders and more than 15,000 policy holders in other EU countries, including 6,500 in Ireland incurred losses.
If you hold, or have held, a policy with Equitable Life that started between 1992 and 2000 and you have not been contacted you might still be eligible to receive compensation.
Visit the Payment Scheme site: http://equitable lifepaymentscheme.independent.gov.uk
Maritime Policy and Fisheries Commissioner Maria Damanaki is working towards fundamental reform of the Common Fisheries Policy with a view to achieving the goal of "sustainable fisheries".
The Commission is confronted with the problem that too many boats are chasing too few fish.
If we don't change the policy, only eight out of 136 European fish stocks will continue to be healthy - an alarming and unacceptable possibility.
This will demand tackling both the EU's internal and external fisheries policy. There is growing acceptance that some of the current practices cannot continue.
The Commissioner's plans are expected to include a ban on discards – the practice of throwing fish overboard to die when they are unprofitable to land or because the boat is already over its quota. This has angered the public and is an inexcusable and unacceptable practice.
MEPs get hundreds of emails every day and each one receives attention. This is one of the primary ways we have of keeping in touch with our constituents. Email me at [email protected]
Follow me on Twitter @maireadMcGMEP or Facebook Mairead McGuinness
Milk contracts?The Commission has come forward with proposals that provide for written contracts between milk producers and processors, and the possibility to negotiate contract terms collectively to help rebalance the bargaining power of milk producers.
However, it is insisting that there will be no relaxation of the quota and super-levy rules; despite the reality that overall the EU remains under quota. The EU Commission has spoken of a ‘soft landing’ post 2015. For Ireland, as we plan to expand milk production, this would be essential.
Mairead and Hugh Fearnley Whittingstall
Need for patient re-negotiation
One of my great delights since becoming an MEP was meeting the great Dr. Garret FitzGerald on one of his many visits to Brussels. He was a frequent visitor to the EU institutions where he would debate and argue imaginatively and energetically about the past, present and future of the Union.Others have written more eloquently about his many fine political achievements. I remember Garret from my teenage years as an inspiring politician who believed passionately in ideas and who encouraged many young women into politics. He will be remembered for leading public opinion on many difficult issues and
helped to create a more open and outward looking society.Described as one of Ireland’s best Europeans, he will be missed by those of us committed to the European ideal. In recent weeks Fine Gael lost another great politician and patriot with the passing of Declan Costello. In word and deed he brought a deep awareness of the social dimension of economic policy and a profound sense of care for the vulnerable. The values he espoused continue to inform and inspire Fine Gael. Ar dheis De go raibh siad.
Rarely has the EU agenda been stacked with so many pressing matters. The current agenda includes; tackling economic performance, increasing competitiveness, fixing a new EU budget, dealing with climate change, developing external relations and trade policy while seeking to secure EU energy needs in the face of declining confidence in the safety of nuclear power.
But the most pressing problem facing the EU centres around the on-going debt crisis and fears about the sustainability of debt in the Eurozone.
The Government is intent on meeting Ireland’s commitments in relation to loans and the targets set out in the IMF/EU bailout agreement, while at the same time it is also actively negotiating for changes to that agreement.
Addressing the interest rate on the loans has proved difficult. Whereas the EU Commission has agreed in principle that we should get a rate reduction, unrealistic demands are being made by both France and Germany as a quid pro quo for such a reduction.
The French are demanding the impossible in calling into question our corporation tax rate. The Germans are also calling for concessions.
Ironically, our strongest ally appears to be the IMF which has described our problems as “a shared European problem that requires a shared European solution.”
The IMF’s Ajai Chopra said that more European funding needs to be made available for bail-out countries if the crisis in the euro area is to be contained.
But in his most telling comments he remarked that countries affected by banking and economic problems “cannot do it alone.” He suggests that an unacceptable burden is being placed on them by budgetary cuts that may not be economically or politically feasible.
And he rejected any attempts to force us to increase our corporation tax rate saying that they are inconsistent with our efforts to restore growth.
The IMF is particularly opposed to any deepening of our austerity measures
saying it would retard growth in an already difficult economic environment.
We must do all in our power to avoid the cocktail of low growth, high unemployment and higher interest rates which will make it extremely difficult for our economy to recover.
So how do we convince our EU partners that this is a shared problem?
Some Irish political voices propose dramatic and drastic action like walking away from the EU/IMF deal.
However, as economist Colm McCarthy recently wrote, “....no unilateral course of action is available to the Irish Government that will work. Those who suggest burning the bondholders, leaving the Eurozone or telling the IMF/EU to take a hike have failed to come up with a policy programme that has a decent probability of working to Ireland’s advantage.”
His solution: patient re-negotiation of the deal. I agree, it is the only rational course of action for the government over the next few years.
CoNtaCt MaireadEmail: [email protected] Website: www.maireadmcguinness.ie
CoNstitueNCy offiCe: Mentrim, Drumconrath, Navan, Co. Meath Tel: +353 (0)41 685 4633 Fax: +353 (0)41 685 4634
Brussels offiCe: Tel: +32 (0) 2284 7214 Fax: +32 (0) 2284 9214
Mairead McGuinness MeP HARD WORKING, STRAIGHT TALKINGSUMMER EDITION 2011
GiaNts of our tiMe
Mairead with research scholar, Conor Duff, from Co. Meath, at the launch of
the EU-funded Task Furniture in Education (TFE) project in the National College
of Art and Design, Dublin. The project will research ergonomic design of school
furniture for children in Europe and the U.S.
useful WeBsitesThese are some useful websites for more information on the EU and the Parliament.
europe direct http://ec.europa.eu/europedirect/index_en.htm
the european Commission in ireland http://ec.europa.eu/ireland/welcome/index_en.htm
the european Parliament http://www.europarl.europa.eu
the european Commission http://ec.europa.eu
Council of the european union http://www.consilium.europa.eu
ePP Group in the european Parliament http://www.eppgroup.eu
Mairead with John Mulligan and Frances Haworth, Editors, "Going
Forward Looking Back" - reflections on two decades of Irish aid involvement in Eastern Europe - at the book's launch in NUI Maynooth.
Lighting a candle in Strasbourg against the persecution of Christians and
other religious minorities. Mairead with European Parliament President,
Jerzy Buzek MEP, and Gay Mitchell MEP.
Marking this year's National Enterprise Week at Bank of Ireland, Ballinasloe; Mairead with Paul Connaughton, Jnr., T.D and Gerry Real, Manager, Bank of Ireland, Ballinasloe.
eureka Group
One of the most important aspects of my work is to listen to you and keep you informed about what is happening in Europe. The quickest way to keep up-to-date and watch what is happening is through my website www.maireadmcguinness.ie
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Students from Eureka Secondary School in Kells visited the Parliament in Brussels in March. In 2010 the school was awarded a Green Flag in recognition of its work on
litter management, recycling and planting. It is now undertaking a project on energy efficiency and water conservation as part of the Green Schools initiative.
Cian and Sadhbh McCann from Blackrock, Co. Louth on a visit to the European Parliament, as part of Sabhdh's winning prize in the Europe Direct "Have your say! Soapbox Competition on Wind Energy".
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