Mediation not Confrontation on Farm Debt – Harkin

Where farmers are engaged in meaningful mediation with vulture funds, there should be no forced sales and consequent evictions. This was stated by Marian Harkin MEP following a protest which she attended outside BidX1 offices, a global online auction platform, in Dublin on Monday, November 26th.   Speaking at the protest, Marian Harkin emphasised that […]

Harkin welcomes new EU fund for free local Wi-Fi

Independent MEP Marian Harkin has warmly welcomed the adoption of a proposal in the European Parliament today, Tuesday, September 12th, aimed at providing free access to fast internet in local communities. She said: “The ‘WIFI4EU’ proposal establishes a scheme offering free WIFI connections in spaces where public services are offered, such as public administrations, libraries and hospitals as […]

Community Wind Projects like in Templederry – The Way Forward says Harkin

Some of the many difficulties surrounding the development of windfarms could be dealt with by ensuring real community participation and benefit derived from their operation. This was the view of Independent MEP Marian Harkin following a meeting with representatives of the community owned Templederry Energy Resources which has two wind turbines operating in North Tipperary. […]

The €13 billion question has been asked says Harkin

The decision by the EU Commission that Apple should repay €13bn to the Irish exchequer has profound implications for Ireland, for the EU, for foreign direct investment into the EU and, in that context, for Brexit. “Should we take the money and run or go to the Court of Justice for a final decision, those […]

Harkin MEP Denounces Irish Politicians on Water Charges

Irish politicians who were trying to blame Brussels on the water charges issue in pursuit of their own agendas had no legal basis for their arguments. This charge was levelled in the European Parliament in Strasbourg by Independent MEP Marian Harkin when she denounced political attempts to blame Brussels in the current controversy. Marian Harkin […]

‘To pay or not to pay water charges, there is no Question’- Harkin MEP

“There is no question as to whether Ireland will not be in breach of EU regulations if we decide not to apply water charges.” This was stated by Marian Harkin MEP, having analysed EU Commission responses and a recent judgment from the European Court of Justice. The first and most obvious reason is that Water […]

Harkin Urges Adoption Of European Parliament Decision On Fracking

Following her support for a vote in the European Parliament to request EU member states not to authorise any new fracking operations, Independent MEP Marian Harkin called for all local authorities in Ireland to provide for such a ban in their County Development Plans, based on the precautionary principle. Speaking in the European Parliament after […]

Government Bank Friendly Policies Questioned by MEP

The announcement that the Bank of Ireland is to make banking significantly more difficult for customers and especially for older people, and those living in rural areas, emphasised the expanded role which credit unions and post offices must be allowed to play in the financial services sector. This was the view of Independent MEP Marian […]