Information Evening on the Stability Treaty, hosted by Fine Gael

DATE                         :Thursday 17^th May 2012

TIME                         :   7.30pm      

VENUE                      :Amber Springs,Hotel,Gorey

GUEST SPEAKERS  :Minister Simon Coveney

                                    Karl Whelan, UCD,economist

                                Jim Power, Friends First

                         Margaret Jeffers, Founder and Managing Director, Good Food Ireland

A Yes vote will show businesses Ireland is a safe bet

Fine Gael Wicklow TD, Andrew Doyle, has today (Friday) said that a Yes vote in the Stability Treaty Referendum will show businesses that Ireland is a safe bet, by delivering the certainty needed for jobs growth.  

“A Yes vote in the Stability Treaty Referendum will help bring about the right conditions to protect existing jobs and create the new jobs we need. International job creating investors thinking about coming here crave certainty; they want to know that Ireland is moving forward on the road to recovery.

“There have been a series of hugely positives jobs announcements since the beginning of this year. Companies like Apple, Mylan, Sky, Paypal and Mastercard have created thousands of jobs in Ireland because they recognise that this is a great place in which to invest. If we want to continue to attract this kind of inward investment, we need to send out a message of stability and certainty by voting Yes on May 31st.

“A Yes vote is just as important for small Irish businesses. Domestic businesses need

the right conditions if they are to survive and thrive into the future. The last thing small businesses in Wicklow need is a period of confusion and instability, which would be brought about by a rejection of the Treaty.

“There are a number of positive reasons to vote in favour of the Stability Treaty. Firstly, it will give Irish and global companies the confidence they need to invest here and create jobs. The Treaty will also ensure governments stick to sensible budget rules, to avoid the reckless mistakes of the past from being made again.

“And crucially, voting Yes to the Stability Treaty ensures we will have access to the ESM, Europe’s new bailout fund, should we ever need it. Dsespite what Sinn Féin and others may claim, this is set out in black and white in the Treaty document; if we reject the Treaty, we will be cut off from these funds.

“We need to borrow about €19 billion to run the country in 2014, after our current funding runs out. Those opposing the Treaty cannot explain where we would get this money from if we block ourselves off from the ESM.

“It’s also important to make clear what the Treaty does not do. It has absolutely no impact on our corporation tax rate; in fact the word tax does not feature at all in the Treaty document. It does not threaten our sovereignty; decisions about Ireland and our finances will continue to be made by our government.

“The Stability Treaty won’t solve all of our problems overnight. We still have a huge amount of work to do, and the Treaty will help us get there.”

Fine Gael East Wicklow is hosting a Table Quiz in the Beehive Pub Friday 11^th May. Starts at 8.30pm. All are welcome.

Andrew Doyle TD                                                                             Wicklow/East Carlow

Oireachtas Committee: Oil and Gas Industry Report Published; Chairman Andrew Doyle recommends proposed changes to planning and tax take

The Report on Oil and Gas Exploration by the All-Party Oireachtas Natural Resources Committee was launched by Chairman Andrew Doyle, TD today in Leinster House.

This report is a significant step in the development of a better approach to managing oil and gas resources of Ireland, said Andrew Doyle. “It was prepared by members of all political parties, after listening to the stakeholders involved, to set the course for a more inclusive state management system which will ensure the maximum benefits to the nation while protecting the environment for the future. The key points were:

• The need for a transparent, simple and integrated planning system for oil and gas exploration and extraction.
• The importance of community consultation from the beginning of the process and community dividends.
• The benefits of international consultation for best practice management at all stages.

Andrew Doyle added “I am very pleased to present this All-Party Report, with specific recommendations for change in the way oil and gas exploration and extraction are managed in Ireland, for the Minister to consider in Cabinet. It is the Committee’s hope that this Report will be the foundation for a national strategy on the management of oil and gas industries in Ireland.”

Provision of High Speed Broadband Service is a Priority for this Government

Submissions invited on Next Generation Broadband Taskforce Report

Deputy Andrew Doyle, TD for Wicklow/East Carlow and Chairman of the Oireachtas Committee on Communications, has welcomed the Report of the Next Generation Broadband Taskforce and has said that this Government is serious about facilitating greater investment in high speed broadband services across Ireland. 

The NGB (Next Generation Broadband) Taskforce which comprises CEO’s of leading Telecoms providers in Ireland has been working with Minister Pat Rabbitte and his Department since June 2011 to pool information and share views about the steps required to accelerate high speed broadband roll out across Ireland. 

The Report of the NGB Taskforce highlights areas where Government and industry can work together to make an impact and makes 42 recommendations under 5 headings:

Industry investment plans and likely gaps

Stimulation of demand for broadband services

Planning reforms to accelerate build out of essential telecoms infrastructure

Spectrum policy

The role of state infrastructure and services 

A four week consultation period is now running through May with observations on the report’s contents and industry recommendations being accepted up to May 31^st.  The report can be found on the Department of Communications, Energy & Natural Resources or at: http://www.dcenr.gov.ie/Communications/Communications+Policy/Report+of+the+Next+Generation+Broadband+Taskforce+and+Consultation.htm  and observations can be submitted electronically to nextgenerationbroadband@dcenr.ie. The Minister will then publish a National Broadband Plan for Ireland in July 2012. 

“One of our Government’s top priorities is to attract investment to Ireland. A good broadband infrastructure is key to enhancing Ireland’s attractiveness for global investment.  There are many challenges to bring our broadband infrastructure  to the required level, not least that of ensuring good service in rural areas.  I would urge people to review the report and send submissions.  It is my intention that the Oireachtas Committee will be engaging with the Minister ahead of the publication of the National Broadband Plan.”

Wicklow Swimming Pool receives grant of €200,000

Fine Gael TD for Wicklow/East Carlow Andrew Doyle has welcomed the announcement today of €200,000 for Wicklow Swimming Pool  as part of the Disabled Access & Energy Upgrade scheme for Local Authority Pools and has said this is an important step for ensuring access for all as well as improving the running costs of the pool. 

“This is a significant injection of funding to the Wicklow Leisure centre which is a hugely popular facility and amenity for people of all ages in the town of Wicklow and surrounding areas.  Any improvement to local services which promotes and encourages a more healthy community lifestyle is to be welcomed. 

“The facility at the Coral Leisure centre has a 25meter deck level swimming pool as well as a 9-meter learner pool. This improvement work will be completed by September 2012.  Further information for opening times and summer courses is available on www.coralleisure.ie.”

Andrew Doyle TD calls on agri-businesses to back the Stability Treaty

Yes vote is good for exports, trade and CAP negotiations

Fine Gael TD, Andrew Doyle, has called on agri-businesses and all those involved in our food and drink industry to back the Stability Treaty. Deputy Doyle added that a Yes vote would have a positive impact on exports, trade and CAP negotiations.

“I strongly believe that a Yes vote to the Stability Treaty is vitally important for the agri-food sector, as it will deliver certainty around recovery, investment and the future of this country. Agriculture is the good news story of the Irish economy at the moment, with bumper exports and major opportunities emerging in China and other markets. If we want to continue to drive this progress, we need to ensure we remain at the core of a strong and stable economy.

“Last year agri-food and drink exports increased by 12% to nearly €9 billion. Irish food and drink companies and producers are exporting to 170 countries worldwide. I want to see us build on this positive trend even further and a stable euro and strong reputation internationally is critical to this.

“We need to think about the message we want to send to our trading partners. A Yes vote will clearly show that Ireland is committed to investment and recovery. It will show that we are serious about taking sensible budget decisions. And it will ensure we have access to the ESM, Europe’s new bailout fund, should we ever need it.  

“Thanks to EU membership we have free access to half a billion consumers across Europe. Many other opportunities lie further afield; we saw from Minister Simon Coveney’s recent trip to China that there is a huge appetite for the world class product on offer in Ireland. The abolition of dairy quotas in 2015 presents a great opportunity to Irish agri-businesses. Maintaining certainty around our currency and capacity for recovery will be really important in making the most of these opportunities.

“Another serious consideration for the Irish food industry is the ongoing CAP negotiation process. Ireland is likely to be hosting the Presidency of the EU during the final stages of the discussions. We have always punched well above our weight in EU agriculture negotiations because of our ability to build alliances and win friends for our cause. As a small country with a very significant interest in the outcome of the CAP, now is the time to ensure we maintain our goodwill and influence as a strong and vocal member state during the negotiating process. This will help us deliver the best possible outcome for Irish farmers.

“The Irish Farmers Association has already backed the Stability Treaty because the organisation understands that it is in the best interests of the farming community to vote Yes to stability, investment and recovery.”

WHY A YES TO THE STABILITY TREATY IS GOOD FOR AGRICULTURE

A YES vote in the Stability Treaty will deliver certainty around recovery, investment and the future funding of our country. It is in the interests of the agri-food sector to VOTE YES and secure Ireland’s future.

EXPORTS      

Exports are key to the future growth of the agri-food sector. In 2011, agri-food and drink exports increased by 12% to nearly €9bn, exporting to 170 countries worldwide. A stable euro and strong reputation internationally is critical to driving further growth in exports.    

Passing The Stability Treaty will send a strong message to our trading partners about our ongoing commitment to maintaining Ireland as a stable, secure and innovative place to do business with.

NEW MARKETS       

EU membership and a strong and a stable euro have provided Ireland with a huge barrier-free internal market for our products and support for exports to world markets. Today we have free access to half-a-billion consumers across Europe providing huge potential to every Irish farmer.   

Huge opportunities for expansion lie in new markets for Irish produce, like China and Africa, particularly with the opportunity presented by the abolition of dairy quotas post 2015. Maintaining certainty around our currency and capacity for recovery will be really important in accessing trading opportunities for Irish produce in new markets. 

CAP NEGOTIATIONS       

The CAP has transformed Irish farming and the food industry in this country since 1973.  EU Membership has increased farmers’ incomes and transformed living standards to the benefit of farming, the food industry and the wider rural community.        

Irish consumers have benefited from higher levels of food safety, better environmental controls, additional employment in food processing and a positive contribution to our balance of payments.       

We are now reaching a crucial stage in CAP negotiations and Ireland is likely to be hosting the Presidency of the EU during the final stages of negotiation.        

We have always punched well above our weight in EU agriculture negotiations because of our ability to build alliances and win friends for our cause.  We have also succeeded, where many other Member States have failed, in getting concessions or side deals to cushion the effects of reforms that might have had unfavourable impacts.       

As a small country with a very significant interest in the outcome of the CAP for one of our most important indigenous sectors, it is vital that we maintain our goodwill and influence as a strong and vocal member state during the negotiating process so we can deliver the best possible outcome for Irish farmers under the new CAP. 

EU FUNDING      

The agri-food sector and wider economy has benefitted massively from the CAP. Upon accession to the then EEC in 1973, the annual output of the sector £560 million and our main export market was the UK. In 2011, exports reached an all time high of almost €9bn, exporting to 170 countries and an overall annual output of €24bn and 150,000 jobs.        

From 1973 to 2011, Ireland received around €50 billion from the EU in agricultural funding, including financing for direct payments to farmers, rural development measures (e.g. REPS, Disadvantaged areas, Early Retirement schemes etc.) and market supports.        

This Treaty provides Ireland with access to emergency rescue funds if we should need them in the future following our bailout programme, at low interest rates. This will be key to maintaining the progress we have made to date on building our reputation internationally and the interest shown by foreign companies in the agri-food sector to invest in Ireland. 

Agriculture Committee hears IFA views on CAP talks

3 May 2012

The Joint Committee on Communications, Natural Resources and Agriculture today heard representatives of the Irish Farmers Association urge government support at the highest level for the maintenance of CAP funding.

Echoing concerns of MEPs and department officials expressed at a Committee meeting earlier in the week, IFA President John Bryan and General Secretary Pat Smith warned of the precarious nature of the current negotiations on the EU’s overall budget.

They said that as the EU’s Multi-annual Financial Framework would ultimately be agreed at European Council level, the Taoiseach had a critical role in forcefully presenting Ireland’s position on safeguarding CAP to key Member States, as the negotiations intensify.

Chairman of the Oireachtas Joint Committee Andrew Doyle TD said: “The Committee today heard a comprehensive address from Mr Bryan, who linked the continued levels of CAP funding to the EU’s food security as well as jobs and growth across its rural areas. The IFA leadership argued strongly for retaining the Single Farm Payment and Rural Development programmes, believing that any move towards a flat rate payment would act as a disincentive to productive farmers.

“The IFA representatives were heavily critical of the proposed greening measures, fearing they will lead to greater bureaucracy. The Committee takes on board the argument that the greening proposals don’t give due recognition that Ireland, with levels of pasture farming three times the EU average, has an outstanding record of green, clean food production.

“We are encouraged by IFA consensus building across their diverse membership involved in all agriculture sectors in Ireland, and their engagement with counterpart organisations facing similar challenges in other Member States.

“Our Committee will forward a short political report to the EU Institutions before the summer, which will incorporate today’s discussions with representatives of Ireland’s largest farmers’ organisation. Other farming organisations and stakeholders are scheduled to address the Committee in the coming weeks.”

Deputy Andrew Doyle, TD for Wicklow/East Carlow, has described the Heritage Council’s decision to back four Wicklow based projects as a great boost for Wicklow’s local economy.

 This year €14,600 has been awarded for a Biodiversity survey of bridges and culverts in County Wicklow. Wicklow Wetlands Survey has received €14,485 and the Restoration of Carnew Castle Wall has been awarded €7,000. The Ongoing Development of the Ballinastoe Collaborative Deer Management Group has been granted €4000 in funding.

 The Heritage Council is also providing core funding of €65,000 to the Wicklow Uplands Council.

 In 2012, the Heritage Council will allocate approx. 1.5 million under the Heritage Grant Scheme to 372 heritage projects across Ireland. 

Research of the 2010 and 2011 Grants Scheme found that every €1m spent on grants by the Heritage Council supported 70 jobs directly and 300 jobs across a range of related sectors. 

This research also shows that in 2010, Heritage Council funded projects attracted approximately 18,700 tourists, while every €1 spent by the Heritage Council generated €4.40 for the Irish tourism industry. 

‘The decision to grant funding to these Wicklow projects and especially €65,000 to the Uplands Council is fantastic news. It will support sustainable development and promote projects in several areas including Environment & Recreation, Economic & Tourism, Community & Property Owners.’ 

‘This research illustrates how beneficial Heritage Council funding can be for an area. This funding acts as a great support for local jobs and tourism. The fact that €1 spent by the Heritage Council equals €4.40 in tourism revenue means this funding will result in an increase of local jobs and an upsurge in tourism levels in Wicklow. It will be a great boost for the county.’

In County Wicklow projects which will receive funding in 2012 include;

Biodiversity survey of bridges and culverts in County Wicklow - to survey a selection of bridges and culverts in the county, focusing on those structures for which impediments to fish and animal passage occur, or are most likely to occur. Use the results to draw up biodiversity enhancement recommendations for individual sites.

Wicklow Wetlands Survey (Phase 2) - to carry out a Phase 2 Wetland survey of County Wicklow, compiling information about the extent, distribution and condition of sites.

The Ongoing Development of the Ballinastoe Collaborative Deer Management Group – the Wicklow Deer Management Group was successfully established in 2011 with the assistance of funding from the Heritage Council. The group has had a successful start and is currently collaboratively recording and sharing deer metrics relating to observations and actual cull information. This application seeks continued support from the Heritage Council for this important pioneering collaborative deer management project.

Restoration Carnew Castle Wall - built in the 1200s, Carnew Castle is surrounded by a wall which was built in the early 18th century. This wall partially collapsed in the winter of 2009 and has remained unrepaired since that date. This project is being undertaken by Carnew Training & Development.