Over the past number of years, I have actively engaged with the homeowners affected by the defective concrete block crisis. I fully appreciate the extremely difficult situation they find themselves in and the enormous impact it is having on their lives. I have always sought a comprehensive scheme with reduced bureaucracy that addresses all the...Read More
An Irish MEP has backed calls for new EU rules to tackle smartphone addiction. It follows a vote in the European Parliament in Strasbourg today (Tuesday December 12th), highlighting the adverse effects of addictive design on young people. Fine Gael’s Colm Markey pointed out that social media features such as endless scrolling or automatic feeds,...Read More
Call for Cross-Departmental Strategy to Prepare for Ireland’s Joint Hosting of Euro 2028 – MEP Colm Markey 6th October 2023 Midlands North West MEP Colm Markey, has called for a concerted cross-departmental strategy to prepare for Ireland’s joint bid to host the Euro 2028 football tournament. Recognising the tremendous economic, cultural, and sporting potential this...Read More
Fine Gael’s Colm Markey has criticised the decision of the Electoral Commission not to include the proposed extra MEP seat for Ireland in an upcoming review of constituency boundaries. The Department of Local Government has confirmed that the report, due out on Wednesday, will be based on the existing 13-seat allocation, rather than the proposed...Read More
MEP Calls for the Introduction of a Culture and Media Card to be gifted to young people on their 18th birthday as Part of Budget 2024 10th August 2023 Irish MEP Colm Markey, is urging the Irish Government to introduce an initiative that would see a Culture and Media card worth €200,...Read More
MEP Colm Markey Invites Taoiseach to meet with Traders, Local Businesses, and Community Organisations in Louth 4th August 2023 Local MEP Colm Markey will today welcome Taoiseach Leo Varadkar TD to County Louth for a full day of engagements in Ardee and Dunleer. Taoiseach Leo Varadkar TD said: “It is great...Read More
MEP welcomes EU Call for Young HGV Drivers 3rd August 2023 EU plans to attract young people to truck driving will create jobs and address a predicted shortfall of 2 million HGV drivers in the EU by 2026, according to local MEP Colm Markey. The European Commission is proposing to allow HGV driver...Read More
‘Hands off our fish’ – MEP issues warning to Nordic countries 2nd August 2023 Fine Gael MEP Colm Markey has warned of further attempts by Nordic countries to seek greater access to Ireland’s fish stock. He made the comments following a recent meeting with the Taoiseach and representatives of the Irish fishing...Read More
MEP encourages applications for €47m funding under PEACEPLUS Youth Programme Deadline for Cross-Border Youth Funding Schemes approaching July 31st 2023 Local MEP Colm Markey is encouraging groups in border counties to apply for some €47 million euro in funding for youth projects under the PEACEPLUS Youth Programme. The money is being made available...Read More
Fine Gael MEP Colm Markey has urged the Oireachtas to follow the example set by the European Parliament and ban TikTok from staff devices. The Midlands-North-West representative said he has serious concerns about the security risks posed by the Chinese owned app. On Tuesday, the European Parliament told MEPs and staff to uninstall the app...Read More
Are you a highly motivated student or graduate with an interest in European affairs? Would you like to gain valuable experience working in the heart of the EU? Colm Markey MEP is hiring an intern to work in his Brussels office. The position is full-time and an allowance will be paid in line with European...Read More
Fine Gael’s Colm Markey has welcomed the European Parliament’s call for the rollout of car charging stations every 60km on main roads in the EU by 2026. MEPs backed the proposal during a vote in Strasbourg today (Wednesday October 19th). They also called on member states to present their plans on the deployment of alternative...Read More
Fine Gael MEP Colm Markey has encouraged young people to apply for free EU rail passes as part of the latest round of DiscoverEU. Young people who were born between the 1st of January 2004 and the 31st of December 2004 are eligible for selection. Successful applicants may travel for a minimum of one day...Read More
Fine Gael’s Colm Markey has criticised the recent debate around carbon emissions for being too focused on ideologies and numbers as opposed to science and solutions. The Midlands-North-West MEP was speaking as discussions continue at Government level on sectoral emissions ceilings. “I hear a lot of talk of greater ambition and higher numbers but the...Read More
Ireland’s reliance on gas from UK pipelines leaves us exposed this winter according to Fine Gael MEP Colm Markey. He was speaking after the European Commission announced a voluntary target for member states to reduce their gas use by 15% until next spring. The Midlands-North-West MEP questioned what the UK might do in the event...Read More
Fine Gael MEP Colm Markey has said Ireland could play a leading EU role in cyber security following the Government’s move to boost defence spending. Recommendations from the report of the Commission on the Defence Forces included the creation of a Joint Cyber Defence Command with 100 additional specialist personnel. The Midlands-North-West MEP said cyber security should be...Read More
The resignation of Boris Johnson as British Prime Minister should mark the start of a new, more positive relationship between the EU and the UK according to Fine Gael’s Colm Markey. The Midlands-North-West MEP, who sits on the EU-UK Parliamentary Partnership Assembly, said the EU is ready to re-start negotiations on resolving issues around the...Read More
MEP Colm Markey has called on Minister for State Malcolm Noonan to stop hiding behind the line from his officials and to put in place an assessment that would allow for the de-designation of Lough Funshinagh as a SAC. He made the comments ahead of a public meeting on the issue tonight (Monday July 4th)....Read More
Rural Ireland is being left behind by a Dublin-centric approach taken by successive Transport Ministers according to Fine Gael MEP Colm Markey. He made the comments after the Economic and Social Research Institute found that the increased cost of certain transport items is contributing to a higher rate of inflation amongst rural households. The Midlands-North-West...Read More
The UK Government’s ‘reckless’ plan to override parts of the Northern Ireland Protocol breaches international law, doesn’t have the support of the majority of people or business in the north and is a disaster for the agri sector according to Fine Gael’s Colm Markey. The Midlands-North-West MEP, who sits on both the European Parliament’s Committee on...Read More
Ireland’s status as a favourable tourist destination could be derailed by a range of issues across the tourism and hospitality sectors according to Fine Gael MEP Colm Markey. Massive queues at Dublin airport, alongside the colossal price of hotel accommodation and the eyewatering cost of car rentals all play their part in hampering the industry’s...Read More
Fine Gael’s Colm Markey has called on EU leaders to stop dragging their feet and immediately ban all oil imports from Russia. Speaking ahead of the EU Summit in Brussels, the Midlands-North-West MEP said leaders have a moral responsibility to do the right thing and deny Putin the revenue he needs to fund the brutal...Read More
Europe is at your feet. Take the first step…. With DiscoverEU! What is DiscoverEU? DiscoverEU is a programme of the European Union that gives you the opportunity to discover Europe. Travelling predominantly by rail, you will discover Europe’s stunning landscapes and its variety of cities and towns. You can apply during the two application rounds,...Read More
The European Union (EU) has put in place a Temporary Protection Directive to allow Ukrainian citizens and others fleeing Ukraine to move through the EU as EU citizens. It allows them to reside in Ireland for at least one year. They will also have access to the labour market, accommodation, social welfare, education and medical care. You...Read More
Are you a highly motivated student or graduate with an interest in European affairs? Would you like to gain valuable experience working in the heart of the EU? Colm Markey MEP is hiring an intern to work in his Brussels office this March. The position is full-time and an allowance will be paid in line...Read More
Is it time to radically overhaul the Irish education system? Covid-19 provided an opportunity to reform the Irish education system and the work has already begun. The CAO process has been changed to broaden the choice for students but should we go further and finally end the Leaving Cert points race? Hosted by Colm Markey...Read More
Fine Gael MEP Colm Markey has welcomed the findings of the latest Eurobarometer survey, which shows that Irish people have the most positive view of the European Parliament in the EU, and that health is a top issue they would like to see addressed. Ireland was also highest on the list of countries who believe...Read More
Carbon farming can play a major role in tackling climate change while offering new income opportunities for farmers but how will this new agricultural business model work and what are the key challenges ahead? This webinar heard from experts on the ground making carbon sequestration a reality and those developing the regulatory framework to implement...Read More
Converting old banks into remote working hubs would reinvigorate towns and villages and make them more attractive places to raise a family according to Fine Gael’s Colm Markey. He was speaking as the Cabinet prepares to sign off on plans to give workers a legal right to request remote working from their employer. The Midlands-North-West...Read More
Fine Gael MEP Colm Markey has said he is disappointed in his parliamentary colleague Ciarán Cuffe following reports the Green MEP wrote to banks about lending practices to young farmers. Markey has joined calls for clarity from the party regarding its views on agricultural investment in light of the letter. MEP Markey said young farmers...Read More
Having spent much of my adult life involved in community development and in local government, I understand the importance of support of funding for community projects. I know also that the wide array of schemes and terms can be off-putting for some and I believe that groups could benefit even more if public...Read More
Fine Gael MEP Colm Markey has welcomed the publication of the Climate Action Plan and described the targets as challenging but achievable. Markey – a member of the European Parliament’s Agriculture and Rural Development Committee – said the plan will give farmers certainty and allow them to continue to produce world-class food with an even...Read More
Is sustainable aviation fuel ready for take-off? Irish MEP Colm Markey and Ryanair boss Michael O’Leary discuss the path forward. Recorded live in the European Parliament via Zoom Webinar on 9th November 2021. Programme Colm Markey MEP – Welcome & Introduction Michael O’Leary (CEO of Ryanair) – Click here for PowerPoint slides Dr Stephen Dooley...Read More
Fine Gael MEP Colm Markey has secured the tabling of a number of ‘crucial’ amendments to tomorrow’s (Wednesday October 19th) vote in the European Parliament on the EU Strategy to Reduce Methane Emissions (Spyraki report). The amendments are intended to add to the text agreed in the Environment Committee by recognising ways in which methane...Read More
Fine Gael MEP and member of the European Parliament’s Committee on Transport and Tourism Colm Markey has described today’s announcement by Ryanair as a crucial boost to the Irish aviation sector as it recovers from the COVID-19 pandemic. The airline has announced plans to recruit 5,000 new staff in Ireland and the EU over the next five...Read More
MEP Markey calls on employers to be flexible as office return looms M50 commuter chaos could become a thing of the past if employers fully embrace remote working options for staff according to Fine Gael MEP Colm Markey. He made the remarks as the Cabinet confirmed a phased return to workplaces from September 20th*. The...Read More
Are you a highly motivated student or graduate with an interest in European affairs and want to gain invaluable experience working in the heart of the EU? Colm Markey MEP is hiring an intern to work in his Brussels office this September. The position is full-time and paid and the internship will last up to...Read More
With 55,000 remote jobs currently open across Europe, the potential for remote work to help to develop communities is immense. As a result of our experience during the pandemic, the mindset has changed and the move to remote working is now inevitable. Such a seismic change poses threats to communities across the EU but it...Read More
Midlands-North-West MEP Colm Markey has said the 6 billion euro European Maritime, Fisheries and Aquaculture Fund 2021-2027 will provide a much-needed boost to the Irish fishing industry but more action is needed to address major challenges as a result of Brexit. Ireland is to receive some €142 million from the new fund, to be combined...Read More
Ursula von der Leyen and Joe Biden at the EU/U.S. summit in Brussels via @vonderleyen Fine Gael MEP Colm Markey has welcomed a deal at the EU-U.S. summit to suspend tariffs relating to the long running Boeing/Airbus dispute for another five years. Since 2019, a 25% tariff has been placed on €420 million worth of...Read More
Fine Gael MEP Colm Markey has called on the EU and the U.S. to redouble their efforts to resolve a long-running trade dispute, which has resulted in retaliatory tariffs placed on a range on Irish products. He made the comments ahead of Tuesday’s EU-U.S. summit in Brussels, which will be attended by President Joe Biden....Read More
Fine Gael MEP Colm Markey has welcomed further talks between the European Parliament, the Council and the Commission on the Common Agricultural Policy. Negotiations ended today without an agreement but all sides have agreed to resume discussions in June with the aim of reaching a compromise. He commented, “Although a deal wasn’t reached this week,...Read More
With the EU setting out its budgetary framework and strategic priorities for the coming seven years, many programmes have changed or been given a new focus. I thought it timely, therefore, to draw together this brief guide to EU funding which gives an overview and an explanation of some of the relevant funding programmes and...Read More
Fine Gael MEP Colm Markey has told the European Parliament that the COVID-19 pandemic has presented a unique opportunity to reinvent and reimagine rural communities. He was speaking during a debate on Thursday with the European Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development Janusz Wojciechowski on the Long-Term Vision for Rural Areas. Commenting afterwards, the Midlands...Read More
