EuropeanIrish.com News Stories

http://www.europeanirish.com/Living/mep.htm

EP News Plenary Session ( Strasbourg ) 12-15 November 2007
continued…

Soil Protection

Two reports on soil protection will be discussed in a joint debate in the European Parliament on Monday evening. Spanish MEP Cristina Gutiérrez-Cortines will present a report on the first EU directive on soil protection and Italian MEP Vittorio Prodi will emphasise the need for a strategy on soil protection to combat floods, landslides, desertification and climate change in the EU.

At the moment, provisions relating to the EU’s policy on soil are divided between laws on waste, pesticides and nature protection.  The new law would combine all provisions relating to soil.  It would include the requirement to establish national inventories of contaminated sites, which would have to be updated at least every five years.  MEPs point to the additional potential benefit of regional inventories.  The law will also require that Member States put together strategies to improve the condition of such sites and identify key priorities for work in this area.  MEPs in the Parliament’s Environment Committee point to the need to ensure synergy between existing EU laws on ground water, nitrates, sewage sludge, waste and other areas.

Irish MEPs on this issue: Mairéad McGuinness (FG - East); Kathy Sinnott (Ind. - South); Avril Doyle (FG - East)

Stocktaking on Social Reality in the EU

On Thursday morning, British MEP Elizabeth Lynne will present a report on behalf of the Employment and Social Affairs Committee which calls on EU Member States and on the European Commission to pursue “an ambitious objective of reducing poverty, especially among working people.”  In this report, MEPs point out that EU Member States should increase their efforts to reduce poverty and social exclusion. The report highlights the issues of disabled workers and those on the minimum wage, it calls for the prevention of exploitation of illegal workers, child poverty and points to the importance of education in tackling poverty and of the rehabilitation of prisoners.  MEPs also state that EU Member States should end asylum seekers’ dependence on benefits by allowing them to work.

16% of the EU’s workforce is disabled; 78 million EU citizens live in poverty and 8% of EU citizens are suffering from in-work poverty.  In general terms, the gap between rich and poor in the EU is increasing.

Irish MEPs on this issue: Proinsias De Rossa (Labour - Dublin ); Mary Lou McDonald (SF - Dublin ); Kathy Sinnott (Ind. - South); Marian Harkin ( Ind - North West );

EP News Plenary Session ( Strasbourg ) 12-15 November 2007

An EU strategy for the Bali conference on Climate Change

On Wednesday afternoon, Italian MEP Guido Sacconi will question the European Commission and the Council of the European Union on behalf of the Parliament’s Temporary Committee on Climate change about their strategies for the Bali Conference on Climate Change. This Conference (3-14 December) will mark the first step in building a post-2012 (post-Kyoto) framework to tackle climate change on a global level. During the debate which will follow, MEPs will call on the Commission and the Council to confirm Europe ’s leading role in climate protection.

On Thursday, MEPs will also vote on the European Parliament’s resolution for this Conference.  This resolution states that the long-term goals should centre on limiting average global temperature increase to below 2°C, which would mean that that by 2050, global greenhouse gases would have to be reduced by at least 50% compared to the 1990 level. The Parliament’s Committee on Climate Change insists that industrialised countries should commit themselves to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by at least 30% by 2030 and by at least 80% by 2050 compared to the emission levels of 1990. To achieve these goals MEPs propose to install a global “cap and trade” system, to set binding targets for all industrialised counties and to include emerging economies through fair and proportionate targets.  The Parliament’s resolution also emphasises that an agreement should be reached by 2009 at the latest.  The European Parliament will be sending a delegation to the Bali Conference.

Irish MEPs on this issue: Avril Doyle (FG - East); Proinsias De Rossa (Labour - Dublin ); Kathy Sinnott ( Ind - South); Bairbre De Brún (SF - Northern Ireland )
 

EP News Plenary Session ( Strasbourg ) 12-15 November 2007 :

Include aviation sector in greenhouse gas emission trading scheme

On Monday evening, German MEP Peter Liese will present a report on behalf of the Parliament’s Environment Committee supporting the European Commission’s proposal to include aviation in the EU’s Emission Trading Scheme (ETS), but calling for tougher CO2 emission limits and a stipulation that the ETS should include not just intra-EU flights, but also flights between the EU and third countries by 2010.

The greenhouse gases emitted by the European aviation industry increased by 87% in 2004 compared to 1990 levels. This increase is in stark contrast to the EU’s overall greenhouse gas reduction target under the Kyoto Protocol - 8%.  MEPs are arguing that ETS allowances for CO2 emissions should be limited to 75% of aircraft operators’ average annual emissions during 2004-2006 and not 100% as proposed by the European Commission.  MEPs propose that 50% of the emission permits should be allocated to aviation operators free of charge and that 50 % should be traded in the ETS in the initial stage. 

Irish MEPs on this issue: Avril Doyle (FG - East); Marian Harkin ( Ind - North West ); Bairbre De Brún (SF - Northern Ireland )

http://www.europeanirish.com/Living/mep.htm

EP News Plenary Session ( Strasbourg ) 12-15 November 2007 :

More sport in schools to tackle child obesity

On Monday evening, Hungarian MEP Pál Schmitt and ex-olympic fencer will present a report on behalf of the European Parliament’s Culture and Education Committee which points to the importance of sport in schools.  According to the Culture Committee’s study, the average time allocated by primary schools to physical education has fallen from 121 to 109 minutes and the number of children in the EU who are overweight or obese is estimated to be rising by more than 400,000 a year.  300,000 children are obese or overweight in Ireland .

The European Parliament’s report emphasises that physical education should be carried out together with information campaigns aimed at children and their parents on the need to adopt a health lifestyle and on the health risks linked to an unhealthy diet. MEPs also emphasise the need for better sports facilities and recommend using EU structural funds to create sports facilities in disadvantaged areas.

Irish MEPs on this issue: Liam Aylward (FF - East); Kathy Sinnott ( Ind - South); Eoin Ryan (FF - Dublin )

EP News Plenary Session ( Strasbourg ) 12-15 November 2007 :

• More sport in schools to tackle child obesity
  Irish MEPs on this issue: Liam Aylward (FF - East); Kathy Sinnott ( Ind - South); Eoin Ryan (FF - Dublin )
• An EU strategy for the Bali conference on Climate Change

  Irish MEPs on this issue: Avril Doyle (FG - East); Proinsias De Rossa (Labour - Dublin ); Kathy Sinnott ( Ind - South); Bairbre De Brún (SF - Northern Ireland )

• Soil Protection

  Irish MEPs on this issue: Mairéad McGuinness (FG - East); Kathy Sinnott (Ind. - South); Avril Doyle (FG - East)

• Stocktaking on Social Reality in the EU
  Irish MEPs on this issue: Proinsias De Rossa (Labour - Dublin ); Mary Lou McDonald (SF - Dublin ); Kathy Sinnott (Ind. - South); Marian Harkin ( Ind - North West );
• The EU in the age of globalisation
  Irish MEPs on this issue: Mary Lou McDonald (SF - Dublin ); Proinsias De Rossa (Labour - Dublin ); Kathy Sinnott (Ind. - South)
• European Commission’s legislative and work programme for 2008.
  - Brian Crowley (FF - South); Mary Lou McDonald (SF - Dublin ); Mairéad McGuinness (FG - East);
• proposed new law on statistics in the areas of public health and health and safety at work
  - Avril Doyle (FG - East); Kathy Sinnott (Ind. - South)

Individual MEPs:

·         Brian Crowley (FF - South) will speak on the EU-Russia summit; he will also ask about measures to combat youth and long-term unemployment and the success of the new programme to combat drug importations from South America.

·         Jim Higgins (FG - North West ) will speak during the debate on the regional impact of earthquakes; he will ask the Commission about increasing road safety in developing countries and will ask the Council about the prevention of cardiovascular disease.

·         Eoin Ryan (FF - Dublin ) will ask the European Commission about levels of cocaine abuse in the EU and the EU response to the problem; he will also ask if it is not time to increase financial support to Sierra Leone .

·         Mairéad McGuinness (FG - East) will make a one-minute speech on the lack of accredited laboratories for medical testing and on the current crisis regarding misdiagnosis of medical conditions in Ireland; she will ask the Commission about the Economic Partnership Agreements with ACP countries and will ask the Council about the liberalisation of postal services.

·         Colm Burke (FG - South) will ask about the reform agenda in Turkey following the elections there and will speak about the new EU telecoms package; he will also host a visit from a group of his constituents.

·         Liam Aylward (FF - East) will speak about nuclear energy programmes; he will ask the European Commission about participants in the EU peacekeeping mission to Chad; and he will also ask the Council of the EU what structures are being put in place to ensure greater coordination between the EU and the USA in the field of climate change.

·         Kathy Sinnott ( Ind - South) will ask about cross-border collective copyright management.

·         Gay Mitchell (FG - Dublin ) will speak during the debates on accounting standards in the EU and on giving implementing powers to the Commission in the field of Economic and Monetary Affairs; he will also ask the Commission about slums and development and ask the Council about non-EU financial services.

·         Seán Ó Neachtain (FF - North West) will ask the Council of the EU how it will ensure that Research and Development Funds will be available to regions on the EU’s periphery; he will also ask what initiatives are being pursued by the European Commission to promote primary education in the developing world; and he will speak about the issue of digital interactive services.

·         Avril Doyle (FG - East) will ask the Commission about the recognition of horse passports and will ask the Council about the EU nationals’ repatriation fund.

Hosted by Den Haag, a high scoring Gaelic Football challenge match was held on Saturday 20th October between Den Haag and neighbouring club Amsterdam.
Final result was
DenHaag 5-15  0-14 Amsterdam

As well as the European Gaelic Football Championship Fixtures, and Regional Tournaments, there are many challenge matches between European GAA Clubs throughout the year- this one was a good example of that -  Brussels Hurling match against Den Haag on September 2nd (morning of the All-Ireland Hurling Finals), was another.
ref: European GAA: The Hague V Brussels - Hurling and Gaelic Football - then watch the All-Ireland Hurling Final

5-10 Nov Belgium FESTIVAL OF LIBERTIES 18-20 Avenue de Stalingrad 1000 Brussels
8-23 Nov Belgium HOLEBI FILM FESTIVAL Brabanconnestraat 25 3000 Leuven

8, 15, 22, 29  Nov Belgium ”The Irish Club of Belgium: Set Dancing No 1 Rue Montoyer Brussels 1000
Thursdays 7.30 pm to 10pm”
11-Nov Belgium The Irish Club of Belgium. Walking club - Flemish Ardennes

Contact Irish Club Belgium for details

http://www.europeanirish.com/Social/main.htm#Benelux

CSI4* LIEGE 7 – 11 NOVEMBER 2007 Belgium
Enda Carroll with Pabina, Nixe Z, Boniata and Underage Rose, Niall 
Talbot with Tequi D’Ich and Onisha
e-mail: info@jumpingdeliege.be , web: www.jumpingdeliege.be

CSI3* OLDENBURG 8 – 11 NOVEMBER 2007 Germany
Cameron Hanley with Concept, S.I.E.C. Royal Star and S.I.E.C. Livello,
 
Denis Lynch with Schneesturm, Upsilon D’Ocquier and Lantinus
e-mail: astruckmeier@escon-marketing.com, web: www.escon-marketing.de

CSI4*-W VERONA 9 – 11 NOVEMBER 2007 Italy
Jessica Kuerten with Castle Forbes Libertina, Quibell and Kalande des 
Grez, Conor Swail with Conduct, Rivaal and Golddigger
e-mail: info@veronafiere.it, web: www.fieracavalli.com

CSI4* VIENNA 9 – 12 NOVEMBER 2007 Austria
Thomas Ryan with Urleven van de Helle and Atomic Mouse
e-mail: office@festderpferde-wien.at, web: www.festderpferde-wien.at

CSI5* STUTTGART 14 – 18 NOVEMBER 2007 Germany
Jessica Kuerten with Castle Forbes Maike, Castle Forbes Vivaldo van 
het Costersvel, Denis Lynch with Cezanne, Lantinus, Schneesturm and 
Upsilon d’Ocquier
e-mail: info@handelsagentur-riexinger.de, web:
 www.Stuttgart-german-masters.de

SHOW JUMPING - IRISH SUCCESS IN BELGIAN YOUNG RIDER CLASS

SHOW JUMPING RESULT - CSI-YR MOORSELE BELGIUM 2-4 NOVEMBER 2007
CSI-YR-A
Competition 12
2 phase-FEI 274.5.3 1m30
Saturday 3rd November 2007
 
1) Triest Star; Declan McEvoy (IRL) Faults 0/0 Time 24.75
2) Uthello d’Arsouilles; Christof Deraedt (BEL) Faults 0/0 Time 25.42
3) Apollo Star Volo; Katharina Jahre (NOR) Faults 0/0 Time 25.56

28 starters
###

SHOW JUMPING - IRISH YOUNG RIDERS PLACED IN BELGIAN GRAND PRIX
04/11/07

SHOW JUMPING RESULT - CSI-YR MOORSELE BELGIUM 2-4 NOVEMBER 2007

Grand Prix YR
FEI 238.2.2 CSI-YR-A 1m45
Sunday 4th November 2007

1) Tahorna; David Deillon (SUI) Faults 0/0 Time 30.70
2) Alcagrund; Maximilien Vogel (GER) Faults 0/0 Time 31.10
3) Zeno d’Or Ch; Suus Kuyten (NED) Faults 0/0 Time 33.00

6) Cantus T; Sarah Curran (IRL) Faults 0/4 Time 35.71
7) Nike Z; Enda Carroll (IRL) Faults 0/8 Time 30.57

18 starters

##

France : KURTEN 3RD IN EQUITA MASTERS
03/11/07
KURTEN 3RD IN EQUITA MASTERS

Ireland’s Jessica Kurten put in a superb second round to claim 3rd
 place in
this evening’s (Saturday) star-studded Equita Masters in Lyon, France.

The Antrim born-rider carried four faults from the opening round on
 Castle
Forbes Libertina, but a faultless second appearance slotted the pairing
 into
third place ahead of Swiss hotshot Marcus Fuchs, and netted the Irish
 rider
17,000 euro for her efforts.

The other Irish rider in the contest, Conor Swail, finish twelfth on
 Rivaal.

The event was won by Dutch rider Albert Zoer on Oki Doki.
SHOW JUMPING RESULT: CSIO5* LYON, FRANCE 1-4 NOV 2007

EQUITA MASTERS by GPA
International Jumping Competition CSI***** 1m60
Table A - 2 rounds  FEI art. 273.3.3
Saturday, 3 November 2007

1) Oki Doki; Albert Zoer (NED) Faults 0/0 Time 38.44
2) Sea Coast Silvanna; Kristof Cleeren (BEL) Faults 0/0 Time 38.70
3) Castle Forbes Libertina; Jessica Kurten (IRL) 4/0 Time 38.57

14 starters
###
SHOW JUMPING - IRISH MAKE FRAME IN FRANCE
03/11/07

SHOW JUMPING RESULT: CSIO5* LYON, FRANCE 1-4 NOV 2007

Prix REGION RHONE-ALPES
International Jumping Competition CSI***** 1m40-1m45
Table A against the clock
FEI 238.2.1
Saturday, 3 November
 2007                                               

1) Tauber Van Het Kapelhof; Ludo Philippaerts (BEL) Faults 0.00 Time
 55.70
2) Kire Royal Star; Roger-Yves Bost (FRA) Faults 0.00 Time 56.35    
3) Firth Of Clyde; Christian Ahlmann (GER) Faults 0.00 Time 56.73    
4) Conduct; Conor Swail (IRL) Faults 0.00 Time 56.93    

9) Castle Forbes Cadeau Z; Jessica Kurten (IRL) Faults 0.00 Time 59.03

46 starters
###

Belgium: Urban Trad, Mary Black,  Luka Bloom, Padraig Rynne
2-Nov-07 Belgium Urban Trad La Glacerie (FR 50)
3-Nov-07 Belgium Luka Bloom, Cactus Club @ MaZ,  Brugge
23-Nov-07 Belgium Mary Black Hasselt Cultuurcentrum Hasselt
23-Nov-07 Belgium Mary Black, Hasselt   Theatre
25-Nov-07 Belgium Mary Black Brugge Cultuurcentrum Brugge / Stadsschouwburg
25-Nov-07 Belgium Mary Black, Brugge   Theatre
26-30 Nov-07 Belgium Padraig rynne,  Tour Belgium tbc

Top Irish Bands and Singers who tour Europe:
http://www.europeanirish.com/Music

27-Oct  Belgium   Urban Trad Strombeek-Bever 20.00
1-Nov   Belgium Noel Shannon 22.00 Celtica Brussels
2-Nov   Belgium   Urban Trad La Glacerie (FR 50)
3-Nov   Belgium   Luka Bloom, Cactus Club @ MaZ,  Brugge
4-Nov  Belgium  Noel Shannon 22.00 Celtica Brussels
 

Barcelona November 3rd
Barcelona Gaels are proud to announce that they will once again be hosting the finals of the 2007 European Gaelic Football Championships on November 3rd .

Last year this really successful tournament was the largest gathering of Gaelic football clubs ever to take place on Continental Europe and this year it will be even bigger.

With teams from as far apart as Rennes in Brittany, Copenhagen in Denmark, Budapest in Hungary and Madrid in Spain and everything in between it promises to be an outstanding European sporting event. We are expecting in excess of 300 men and women who will do battle for the honours in 3 pitches in the Catalan capital hosted by Barcelona´s own legendary club the Barcelona Gaels.

The standard of the football and organisation has been increasing every year in the ‘ County Europe ‘ over the last years and the event is a must see for any sporting fans who find themselves in Barcelona on the day.

Guest of honour on the day will be no less than the Director General of the GAA since 1979 , Liam Mulvihill . Liam is due to retire in January leaving behind a legacy of a modernised sporting association unrivalled in the hearts and minds of Irish people and now the many non Irish who are regularly enjoying these exciting games all over the world.

Liam will have a supporting cast of VIP´s to include:
Liam O’Neill, Vice President GAA and Chairman Leinster Council
Seamus Howlin, Chairman of overseas committee
Helen O’Rourke, Chief Executive of Ladies Football Association
And our Referees:
Maurice Deegan, Laois.
Jerome Henry, Europe.
Keith Tighe, Dublin.

And Breda Lee, who will be representing the Irish Embassy in Spain on the day.

The event is hosted and organized exclusively by the playing staff of the Barcelona Gaels who will be fighting for honours in both men’s and women’s competitions with teams comprising over 60% local Catalans.
Indeed the Iberian region will have representatives from Madrid, Pamplona and Valencia to add spice to the local competition.

Play will commence from 9 AM on three separate venues in La Mar Bella and Joan Serrahima with all the finals kicking off in Foixarda from about 5PM on Montjuïc the site of the 1992 Olympics. The games will be followed by a presentation dinner and afterparty taking place in Poble Espanyol going into the wee hours.

Details are still emerging but the latest can be found on a special section on the clubs website www.barcelonagaels.com
You will also be able to download the official programme in the days leading up to the tournament from the same location on the website.

25-Oct Greece Greek Irish Society, Irish Institute: Lecture to mark the 400th anniversary of the Flight of the Earls by Prof. Nicholas Canny, National University of Ireland Galway

With events already mentioned in previous articles about Louvain 400 - in Belgium and France, the Conference takes place in Italy, the Irish College in Rome:

26-29 Oct Louvian400 :  The Irish College, Rome Conference ‘Awakening Irish identities: the Ulster Earls in Baroque Europe’ http://www.louvain400.eu/

24-27 Oct Belgium Irish Studies Conferences: Irish Women Writers: National and European Contexts - Leuven http://www.iasil.org