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
Fine Gael’s Colm Markey has warned that electricity bills will remain high unless Ireland speeds up the rollout of indigenous energy sources such as offshore wind production. The Midlands-North-West MEP was reacting to new figures, which reveal that electricity prices here are the highest in Europe The Household Energy Price Index, commissioned by the Austrian...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 MEP Colm Markey has said that new EU rules being voted on in the European Parliament today (Wednesday Jan 18th) will ensure that children are better protected against the possible harms of online video gaming, including addiction. However, the Midlands-North-West MEP wants more to be done to regulate so called ‘loot boxes’ or...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
A European Union-wide cap on electricity prices and major reform of the EU’s electricity market is urgently required to address soaring bills according to Fine Gael’s Colm Markey. The Midlands-North-West MEP said the current system is not fit for purpose as currently, wholesale electricity prices are linked to the price of gas. That’s despite only...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
Grant schemes for older people should be modified to include access to assistive technology according to Fine Gael’s Colm Markey. The Midlands-North-West MEP said that smart home devices can drastically improve everyday life for older people and allow them to live in their homes for longer. “Assistive technology can have a massive impact on older...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
The massive opportunity for offshore renewable projects in Ireland could be lost due to delays in the planning process according to Fine Gael’s Colm Markey, who has described An Bord Pleanála as ‘not fit for purpose’. The Midlands-North-West MEP was reacting to concerns raised by a number of industry exerts that the system is not...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
Fine Gael MEP Colm Markey has slammed a proposal for Ireland to sign up to a standardised European Rail Traffic Management System, which could cost at least €200m. The main aim of the ERTMS is to promote interoperability of trains across the EU and involves replacing national signalling equipment and operational procedures with a single...Read More
Fine Gael MEP Colm Markey has welcomed Cabinet approval of a new scheme to revive the Irish seed potato industry. The €3m in funding will come from the Brexit Adjustment Reserve – the EU’s emergency instrument to support countries negatively affected by the withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the Union. Markey, a member of...Read More
The European Commission’s proposal to update the Industrial Emissions Directive is a bureaucratic nightmare for Irish farmers and will do little to address our environmental challenges, according to Fine Gael MEP Colm Markey. Today (Tuesday April 5th), the Commission proposed extending the scope of the directive to cattle farms and to a larger number of...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 Commission’s €500 million support package for farmers is not enough to tackle the challenges facing the agri-food sector according to Fine Gael’s Colm Markey, a member of the European Parliament’s Agriculture Committee. It is one of a number of measures outlined by the Commission today (Wednesday) in response to the food security crisis,...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
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
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 welcomed the results of a vote in the European Parliament on the future of animal welfare during transport. A majority of MEPs backed a report compiled by a Special Committee – which was set up to investigate alleged breaches of the rules – but rejected a number of measures...Read More
Fine Gael MEP Colm Markey has urged colleagues in the European Parliament to reject proposals to effectively ban the transport of calves, saying it will lead to serious animal welfare issues on farms in Ireland and across the EU. The measures were put forward by the Greens and will be voted on in the European...Read More
Irish students will be able to benefit from discounts and special deals across the EU once a new European Student Card is rolled out, according to Fine Gael MEP Colm Markey. The e-card is a key initiative of the European Education Area, which aims to remove barriers to learning and improve access to quality education...Read More
Louth and Meath commuters shouldn’t have to fork out more to get to work than those living in Dublin, according to Fine Gael’s Colm Markey. The Midlands-North-West MEP is backing the ‘Fairer Fares’ campaign, launched by Meath Cllr Sharon Tolan and supported by party colleagues. The Louth based MEP has made a submission to the...Read More
Fine Gael MEP Colm Markey is calling for a three-to-four year strategy to re-establish the potato industry in Ireland. He made the call as efforts continue at EU level to find a temporary solution to allow the movement of seed potatoes from the UK back into Ireland. Markey, a member of the European Parliament’s Committee...Read More
Dear friend, It has been an honour to represent you as MEP for Midlands-North-West for over a year. 2021 has been challenging for us all but despite the pandemic, we have achieved a lot. I want to take this opportunity to wish you all a happy and healthy Christmas and a prosperous New Year. Click...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
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
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
