Develop Artisan Food Sector – O Brolchain Branding in the food sector is very important. We have a unique selling point in Ireland in being a green, clean, food producing island. There is a major marketing factor in having grass-based, organic agricultural production which gives us something unique to sell. We should not undersell this, [...]
Support needed for Irish Farming Industry – Ó Brolcháin People were talking to me today about bio-fuels. We need to look at alternative methods for farm families to make an income through sustainable energy, green energy and ecotourism. The future of Irish farming is not guaranteed, but we need to look at what is happening [...]
Common Fisheries Policy must be revisited – Ó Brolcháin The Common Agricultural Policy was first negotiated under the Treaty of Rome. We came into the EU and the CAP was already in place, but we signed up to the Common Fisheries Policy after that. About €200 billion worth of fish has been taken out of [...]
Ó Brolcháin calls for International Food Quality Standards We need to look at environmental standards when assessing quality. We need to examine the notion that we can sell food in this country that does not adhere to the same environmental standards that we demand of our own producers. The EU needs to look at this [...]
Galway Senator, Niall Ó Brolcháin has welcomed the announcement by Minister John Gormley of a review of Galway County Council’s planning laws and policy as one of six local authorities around the country. Senator Ó Brolcháin has said the review will focus on consistency and transparency in the planning process and the proper implementation of [...]
O Brolchain calls for Seanad debate on the Environment I call on the Leader for a debate on a slightly different subject, namely, the conservation of our environment. While Members have many debates on the economy and on the human impact on the country, no matter what is happening with regard to our economy, we [...]
O Brolchain encourages Galway community groups to apply for local environment funding Galway Senator, Niall O Brolchain is calling on Galway community groups to apply for funding designed to promote environmental awareness. Details of the 2010 Local Agenda 21 Environmental Partnership Fund have been announced and a total of €630,000 is now available. [...]
Extract from Seanad speech Lessons need to be learned from issues relating to the Dublin Docklands Development Authority. I am sick and tired of listening to these debates as if Dublin were the only place on the planet. Many projects in other ports such as Cork, Galway and Waterford are also important.
Extract from Seanad speech I refer to an issue relevant to my own political party, that is, the carbon tax. The idea is to move away from an unsustainable economy, largely based on unsustainable resources such as fossil fuels, and to try to move us towards an economy which is sustainable and based on renewables. [...]
