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Entries matching the category "foreign%20"

NAMA CAUSED FURTHER AIB BAILOUT: I PUBLISH COMMISSIONER ALMUNIA LETTER

Posted on January 10, 2011 by Alan Kelly

Ireland and EU
Ireland and EU


I have just published the letter from EU Commission Vice President, Joaquin Almunia, explaining how AIB passed banking stress tests last July but was eventually nationalised by year-end. (See text of letter below this blog.)

It is clear that the latest AIB bailout was effectively caused by NAMA and the failure of the government to predict these losses while also taking the bank’s position at face value.

Commissioner Almunia makes it clear in his letter that NAMA’s second discount on AIB loans immediately required an additional €3b cash. This could only come from the Irish taxpayer.

When the government first stress tested the bank, it underestimated the NAMA discount – even though NAMA is a state-body. Was there no co-ordination on this by the Finance Minister?

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Permanent link | Categories: FinanceForeign & European AffairsAlan KellyEUCurrent Affairs Irish

IRELAND MUST FOLLOW FINLAND AND MAKE DIGITAL HISTORY

Posted on July 02, 2010 by Alan Kelly

broadband cables image
broadband cables image

 

Following the news that Finland has made broadband access a legal right for every citizen, I believe Ireland must follow their example and make broadband available to every Irish home and business.

 

 

Finland made digital history when it became the first country in the world to make broadband a legal right for every citizen.

 

From 1 July every Finn will have the right to access to a 1Mbps (megabit per second) broadband connection.

 

What we need now is an urgent review of Ireland’s broadband strategy. Ireland lags way behind the rest of Europe when it comes to broadband and the problem is worst in rural areas.

 

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Permanent link | Categories: CommunicationsForeign & European AffairsAlan Kelly MEPLabourTipperaryNorth TipperaryBroadbandFinlandaccessrural infrastructurecommunicationsBroadband roll outstrategy

ROAMING FEES TO BE SLASHED IN EUROPE THIS WEEK

Posted on June 29, 2010 by Alan Kelly

Roaming Charges
Roaming Charges

This Thursday will see yet another reduction in roaming charges for Irish customers when travelling in Europe. Hopefully this will end the shameful practice of mobile phone companies giving 'bill shock' to their customers.

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Permanent link | Categories: CommunicationsConsumer AffairsForeign & European AffairsAlan Kelly MEPLabour PartyEuropean ParliamentMobile Phone RoamingchargesreductionEuropean CommissionroamingVodafoneO2travelholidaysbill shock

DWYER FAMILY DESERVE INDEPENDENT INVESTIGATION INTO MICHAEL'S DEATH

Posted on May 09, 2010 by Alan Kelly

Alan Kelly MEP with Dwyer Family - 05/05/10The family of Michael Dwyer, the young Irish man killed in Boliva meeting Alan Kelly MEP in Brussels. (left to right) Ashling Dwyer, Alan Kelly MEP, Caroline Dwyer.Photo Gary Fox
Alan Kelly MEP with Dwyer Family
05/05/10 The family of Michael Dwyer, the young Irish man killed in Boliva meeting Alan Kelly MEP in Brussels. (left to right) Ashling Dwyer, Alan Kelly MEP, Caroline Dwyer. Photo Gary Fox

I am calling for an independent investigation into the killing of Tipperary native, Michael Dwyer in Bolivia.


An independent investigation into the killing Michael Dwyer is the only possible solution to this most serious issue.

Michael Dwyer was a loving and much loved son of the Dwyer family. 

He was a loving, caring person who came from a multi-cultural background.

Last year he was tragically shot dead in Bolivia and the quality of the information emerging from authorities there is suspect.

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Permanent link | Categories: Foreign & European AffairsAlan Kelly MEPMichael DwyerDwyer FamilyBoliviaIndependent InvestigationBrussels

Visiting the White House and New York

Posted on December 10, 2009 by Alan Kelly

With Cass Sunstein - Head of Information and Regulatory Affairs in White House
With Cass Sunstein - Head of Information and Regulatory Affairs in White House

I was on my first trip as an MEP representative to the US over the last couple of days. It was a very interesting and informative few days, where I visited the While House and met with members of the US House of Representatives. We visited both Washington and New York. I met with Cass Sunstein who is I understand quite close to President Obama and is over Information and Regulatory Affairs in the Us Administration. I also met with Susan Rice, who is the US Ambassador to the United Nations.

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Permanent link | Categories: FinanceForeign & European AffairsUSAlan Kelly

Influential Trip to the US

Posted on December 01, 2009 by Alan Kelly

US FlagThis coming Wednesday, I will travel to the US as a member of the influential EU Parliament’s US Delegation. I am the sole Irish MEP to be involved in this trip. With plans to visit Washington and New York, I plan to use this opportunity to meet with US Senators and the House of Representatives members.

Discussions are set to take place to address the global issues of international trade, climate change, transport and communications. I’m eager to meet with the US Senators and House of Representatives members to discuss these important issues which affect us all.

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Permanent link | Categories: Enterprise Trade & EmploymentForeign & European AffairsUSEU Parliament's US Delegation

Calling on the Govt to Apply for EU Solitary Fund to Aid Flood Relief

Posted on November 23, 2009 by Alan Kelly

Alan at Shannon Bank
Alan at Shannon Bank

I am urging the Irish Government to apply for the EU Solidarity Fund in order to aid those areas across Ireland that were devastated by flood damage in the last week.

The EU Solidarity Fund was set up after the catastrophic flooding in Germany and Austria in 2002. The EU has done a lot in the area of flood preparedness in the aftermath of the 2002 flood in central Europe. It has been used on 26 occasions since then and I am calling on the Government to apply for this fund. Ireland has been devastated by flood waters this week. Cork, Tipperary, Galway and many other areas been affected. Under this initiative, there are funds which the Government may be entitled to.

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Permanent link | Categories: FinanceForeign & European AffairsEU Solidarity FundFlood Damage

Ireland's place is at the heart of a strong Europe

Posted on October 27, 2008 by Tom Duke

Europe
Europe

I am really concerned that the national conversation on Europe is leading us away from the EU. Disappointment at the loss of the Lisbon referendum is being replaced by creeping defeatism in the pro Europe camp while the personalities associated with the 'No' campaign are feted like celebrities.

Those of us who believe in Ireland's place at the heart of a strong Europe should stop apologising for our existence in the face of the articulate and well heeled Eurosceptics hell bent on derailing our European journey. We need to be clear about our vision for a cohesive stable EU in light of the rise of new global superpowers.

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Permanent link | Categories: Foreign & European Affairs

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