Blog Categories
Entries matching the category "consumer%20affairs"
ROAMING FEES TO BE SLASHED IN EUROPE THIS WEEK
Posted on June 29, 2010 by Alan Kelly
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.
Permanent link | Categories: Communications • Consumer Affairs • Foreign & European Affairs • Alan Kelly MEP • Labour Party • European Parliament • Mobile Phone Roaming • charges • reduction • European Commission • roaming • Vodafone • O2 • travel • holidays • bill shock
Calling for a Ban on Brazilian Beef in Europe
Posted on December 10, 2009 by Alan Kelly
This week, I spoke in the European Parliament calling for a ban on the importation of Brazilian beef into the EU. There have been growing concerns over the Brazilian beef’s safety. Not alone that but Irish farmers deserve to be rewarded for their high standards and excellent quality beef. It’s totally unfair that they have to compete with beef that is not produced to the same standard and imported from Brazil. These farmers go through all regulatory controls as set down by Europe so all other beef should do the same. Consumers must also be protected from potentially diseased beef.
Permanent link | Categories: Agriculture • Consumer Affairs • Brazilian Beef • EU Commission Food and Veterinary Office Report
Rugby Rip Off: Disgraceful
Posted on April 28, 2009 by Alan Kelly
Just to get something off my chest. It is incredibly unfair to see the extent to which rugby fans are being ripped off by airline companies ahead of the Heineken Cup final in Edinburgh.
One of Munster and Leinster (The Southern Province hopefully) will be playing yet it will cost you €560 odd euro to fly from Dublin to Edinburgh return over Saturday on Sunday whereas on the Monday when there is no game on, it costs a mere €30.
Permanent link | Categories: Arts Sport & Tourism • Consumer Affairs • Munster • rugby • Limerick • gerry mcloughlin • alan kelly • heineken cup
NAMA CAUSED FURTHER AIB BAILOUT: I PUBLISH COMMISSIONER ALMUNIA LETTER
Posted on January 10, 2011 by Alan Kelly
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?
Permanent link | Categories: Finance • Foreign & European Affairs • Alan Kelly • EU • Current Affairs Irish
IRELAND MUST FOLLOW FINLAND AND MAKE DIGITAL HISTORY
Posted on July 02, 2010 by Alan Kelly
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.
Permanent link | Categories: Communications • Foreign & European Affairs • Alan Kelly MEP • Labour • Tipperary • North Tipperary • Broadband • Finland • access • rural infrastructure • communications • Broadband roll out • strategy
ROAMING PRICES REMAIN TOO HIGH DESPITE VODAFONE VERDICT
Posted on June 08, 2010 by Alan Kelly
I welcome today's European Court verdict on roaming charges but the cost of roaming across Europe is still too expensive for consumers.
Permanent link | Categories: Communications • Alan Kelly MEP • mobile phone roaming • Vodafone • European Court Ruling • Internal Market • consumers • expensive
DWYER FAMILY DESERVE INDEPENDENT INVESTIGATION INTO MICHAEL'S DEATH
Posted on May 09, 2010 by Alan Kelly
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.
Permanent link | Categories: Foreign & European Affairs • Alan Kelly MEP • Michael Dwyer • Dwyer Family • Bolivia • Independent Investigation • Brussels
€87k BILL FOR TIPPERARY CARER 'TOTALLY RIDICULOUS'
Posted on April 13, 2010 by Alan Kelly
I am appalled at the Governments treatment of a Tipperary carer following demands she repay almost €87,000.
The woman who has been in receipt of carer’s allowance for looking after her husband is now being asked to repay the money which the Dept of Social and Family Affairs are claiming she was overpaid.
Kelly said “It is quite simply beyond belief the way this lady is being treated. She was providing an invaluable service to the Tipperary community and she is being hit on all sides by a Government that clearly has no idea what is it doing.
Just last week we had billions being poured into the banks and here we have a horrible example of the blatant hypocrisy that exists in Ireland.
Permanent link | Categories: Social & Family Affairs • Alan Kelly MEP • Carer • Labour • North Tipperary
Visiting the White House and New York
Posted on December 10, 2009 by Alan Kelly
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.
Permanent link | Categories: Finance • Foreign & European Affairs • US • Alan Kelly
Influential Trip to the US
Posted on December 01, 2009 by Alan Kelly
This 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.
Permanent link | Categories: Enterprise Trade & Employment • Foreign & European Affairs • US • EU Parliament's US Delegation
