Last week when I wrote of the scramble for members of the groupings within parliament, little did I think that Fianna Fail (FF) and their MEP Brian Crowley, would part ways. Crowley’s relationship with the ALDE group has not been good since FF left the centre right UEN group in 2009, which was jointly chaired …
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Scramble For Members
June 24th is a big day in the EU Parliament’s calendar. Those wishing to form “Groups” must nominate their numbers by then. Each group must have a minimum of twenty five members drawn from across seven individual member states. There is a lot to play for. Each group receives funding, based on the level of …
New EPP Chairman Commits To Reform Agenda
CSU MEP, Manfred Weber was elected as the new President of the EPP Group. An MEP for the past 10 years, Mr. Weber is an experienced politician. His first task will be to ensure that his man, Jean-Claude Juncker becomes the Commission President. In support of this, Weber states that the EPP won the election, …
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Decision On Commission Nominee Required Now
As the Government is waiting for the new Labour leader, it appears that no decisions on whom the next EU Commission candidate from Ireland will be. Long standing speculation that Big Phil Hogan was the man to go was in recent weeks thrown into question. With the resignation of Eamon Gilmore some suggested that it …
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Commission President Yet To Be Decided
With the election over, the power trading begins, and so it is in every assembly where there is no clear majority. The Lisbon Treaty provides that the Council of EU Prime Ministers, taking account of the results, nominates the President of the Commission to parliament, whose vote is required to ratify the nominee. Jean-Claude Junker, …
Will There Be A Clear Decision On Friday?
The election of Dublin’s MEPs takes place this Friday. There is little or no appreciation of what people are now asked to vote on, other than elect three members to attend a distant and perceived irrelevant parliament. Those elected will decide the next President of the EU Commission and should therefore be chosen wisely. The …
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Who Cares Enough To Vote?
The election campaign across Europe intensifies with the centre right candidate, Jean-Claude Juncker and Martin Schultz of the centre left engaging in live televised debates on their vision for Europe for the next five years. Canvassers here in Ireland report that there is little interest in who is elected to represent us in the new …
Boland Calls For Historic Summer School
Independent candidate in Balbriggan Electoral area, Cathal Boland is calling for the setting up of a Fingal Summer School. This would commemorate the achievements of two North County men, Tom Kettle and Thomas Ashe, who played significant, but different roles in the political situation 100 years ago. Boland told the County Leader, “I was forcibly …
EU Battle For Power Within
The European election campaign has only just kicked off here in Ireland, but the battle for power across Europe has been in full play for some time. The projections show both the EPP and the PES very close in the number of MEPs which they will return after the election. Their lead candidates, Schulz and …
Rush Play Ground Maintenance Required
Parents have spoken to me in respect of the poor ongoing maintenance of the children’s play ground at Kenure Rush. Concerns as to equipment safety and ground surface conditions are among the matters raised. Please contact me with your issues. There is a need for a further Playground sited within the immediate environs of the …