2014

Blue Star Programme increases knowledge of EU for Primary Pupils – Doyle

graham 2014, Dáil Éireann, Foreign Affairs, Wicklow - East Carlow

BlueStarProgrammeWicklow Schools encouraged to register as Deadline is extended

Andrew Doyle TD invites Primary Schools across County Wicklow to take the opportunity to learn more about the European Union and its relevance to our daily lives by registering for the Blue Star Programme.

“This Programme now in its 4th year aims to foster better understanding and knowledge of Europe among Irish primary pupils, through classroom projects and activities.

“Since it’s introduction, over 300 schools and 15,000 pupils across Ireland have taken part, many choosing to repeat the Programme another year. The Blue Star Programme is a venture of the Communicating Europe Initiative, supported by the Office of the Minister of State for European Affairs and Data Protection in the Department of the Taoiseach, the European Commission Representation in Ireland, the European Parliament Information Office in Ireland, and the Department of Education and Skills. The Programme is managed by European Movement Ireland.

“An essential part of the programme is a visit to participating schools from the local TD or Senator to view the project work and/or award the Blue Star, and as such, provides a great opportunity for students to see the Blue Star Programme in action.

While there is an official deadline for schools to submit applications this week, applications will continue to be accepted over the coming weeks.

“The European Union exerts a strong influence on our daily lives and it is important to highlight its relevance to our student population. This is a very worthwhile initiative for Primary Schools, also given the increased numbers of children in our schools from a non-Irish family background. I would be hopeful that all schools in Wicklow would encourage participation in the Blue Star Programme and I am available to visit schools for this purpose.”

Full details on the programme are available at http://www.europeanmovement.ie/blue-star/

Success of beef talks shows need for improved communications across the beef supply chain – Doyle

graham 2014, Agriculture, Dáil Éireann

commodities-dairyMeasures agreed by both parties are sensible and pragmatic

Fine Gael TD for Wicklow/East Carlow, Andrew Doyle, has said that the success of beef talks highlights the importance of the beef forum for helping to achieve agreement between beef producers and suppliers.

“After what has been an extremely challenging year for beef farmers and for the wider industry, I am pleased and relieved that we have a resolution which is agreeable to all sides. With this issue now resolved, the challenge to all in the beef sector is to avoid a repeat of the standoff we have seen in recent weeks and months. We have developed an extremely high quality beef sector which is internationally renowned and upon which tens of thousands of people rely for their livelihood. We must avoid going down this road again.

“In this respect, producers and the industry need to maintain closer contact and the beef forum provides the ideal vehicle for improved communications across the supply chain. The key lesson from all of this is that dialogue is the way forward.

“I particularly welcome Minister Coveney’s insistence that we need to improve the bargaining power of beef producers. The introduction of producer organisations will go a long way in this regard.

“The measures agreed by both parties are sensible and pragmatic. I welcome that there will be no price penalties based on weight until the end of 2015 and that, in relation to the Quality Payment System, there will be no dual base pricing for breed, age or weight. The price incentive agreed for all steers and heifers from Quality Assured farms with effect from 1st January 2015 is, I believe, a positive result for beef farmers.

“I commend Minister Coveney for the manner in which he has overseen a positive outcome for what had been an extremely challenging time for the beef industry.”