National News
Management of Atlantic Mackeral Stock – Sanctions on Iceland + Faroe Islands
The mackerel fishery is worth €125 million in a €1 billion fishing industry. It is a cause of huge concern for the present industry and, if it continues, the danger exists that the sustainable mackerel stock will be wiped out in the north-east Atlantic because of overfishing by these two nations. The breach of the fisheries agreements may cost the Irish fishing industry between €10 million and €15 million in potential TAC adjustments. Abusing the quotas in this way by breaking all international agreements on mackerel quotas can be regarded only as modern day piracy.
€5 million provided to support the creation and development of Agri-Food enterprises in Rural Ireland – Hogan
Creating 200 jobs directly and supporting jobs indirectly
Phil Hogan, T.D., Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government announced today (6th March, 2012) that €5 million in funding will be provided in 2012/2013 to support the creation and development of Agri-Food enterprises in rural Ireland. Based on recent research conducted by the Local Development sector this funding has the potential to create more than 200 jobs directly as well as sustaining a number of jobs currently available in the sector.
Harrington raises concerns in Brussels over EU fisheries policy
Sustainability of Irish fishing industry must be maintained
Speaking on his return from an inter-parliamentary meeting in Brussels this week to discuss European fisheries policy, Fine Gael Cork South West Deputy, Noel Harrington, expressed concerns over proposals put forward by the European Commissioner for Fisheries and Maritime Affairs, Maria Damanaki, saying they would not be in the best interest of Ireland.
“Inter-parliamentary discussions which examined the Proposal for a Regulation of the European Parliament and the Council on the Common Fisheries Policy took place this week in Brussels. During these discussion numbers issues arose which were of concern to the Irish delegation and which were brought to the attention of the Commissioner.
Why Ireland needs to Vote Yes on the Fiscal Referendum
Deputy Noel Harrington TD Fine Gael Cork South West speaking in the Dail on Statements on Pre European Council and Ratification of the Treaty on Stability Coordination and Governance in the Economic and Monitary Union on Wednesday the 29th February 2012.
_________________________________________________________________________
Ceann Comhairle,
Thank you Ceann Comhairle, for calling me to speak, I regret that I have only 5 minutes in this very important debate as I enter my second year as an elected representative of the people in this house. This debate goes to the hub of all political issues in that our primary function in this house is to raise taxes to pay for all the public services that we vote to provide for all our citizens.







