Press
Please Note: I have stopped adding press releases in this section. Most of my press releases are published on this website as posts so I felt it was just repetition adding them here also. Media enquiries can be directed to me on 086 2436345 or email me - tony@tonymulcahy.com
Exports showing resilience as new figures show 9% year-on-year increase
Wed 18th Jan 2012
November figures also show 5% monthly increase
The Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation, Richard Bruton TD, today (Wednesday) welcomed the latest external trade figures published by the CSO which showed:
· a 5% increase in seasonally-adjusted exports in November compared with October,
· a 9% annual increase in unadjusted exports compared with November 2010
· on both an actual and a seasonally adjusted basis, our exports for November were the second highest on record
· the trade surplus in November increased 16% to €4.31billion, its highest level ever
· a 4.3% increase in exports in the first 11 months of the year, compared to the same period in 2010
As well as headline figures for November, the statistics also provide detailed breakdown of exports for October which show that exports to key target countries Brazil, Russia, India and China all up in that month compared to October 2010.
Furthermore:
· exports of Food grew by 14% and of dairy products by a very impressive 28%,
· exports of Organic Chemicals increased by 11% and of Medical and Pharmaceutical products by 8%.
These figures follow last week’s Eurostat data showing that for the period January – October, 2011, Ireland had the joint second largest trade surplus in absolute terms in the EU, second only to Germany. It was notable that many of the larger countries had very significant deficits.
Minister Bruton said:
“As I have said before, a strong export performance will be crucial to achieving the economic and jobs recovery we are all working so hard for.
“However in recent months we have seen several signs of deterioration in the global economy, particularly connected with problems in the Eurozone, and several commentators have suggested that our exports could suffer. In that context, today’s results, and the great resilience which our exports are showing in difficult circumstances, are encouraging.
“In the Government’s Action Plan for Jobs, we will be implementing a series of reforms to ensure that we can build on this strong and resilient performance to achieve even greater export growth and ensure that exports drive a sustainable jobs recovery in the economy”
MULCAHY WELCOMES €487 MILLION CASH FLOW BOOST FOR FARMERS
Wed 19th October
Fine Gael Clare Senator Tony Mulcahy has welcomed the announcement by Simon Coveny Minister for Agriculture of the advance payment of €487 million in Single Farm Payments (SFP) to 101,000 farmers. The payments have been brought forward from December to October following representations made by the Minister to the EU Commission. Additional payments will be made up to 1st December 2011 when the 50% balancing payments are scheduled to commence issuing. By the end of the year, the vast majority of the SFP will have been paid, the total value of which will be in excess of €1.2 billion
Senator Mulcahy said “ By changing the timing of when farmers get the Single Farm payment Clare Farmers will have money in their bank accounts earlier than normal. With so many farmers having invested heavily in recent years in new farm machinery and housing for livestock, this early boost has to be a good thing. Cash flow is the life force of any business and farming is no different. Since he was appointed to the department Minister Coveney has been working hard for Irish farmers. For too long some political parties forgot about farming and promoted industries such as construction, well we can see where that got us. The way we will get the country working again is by making things and by food production. Farmers will stick with this country through thick and thin. They will not up stakes and move to another country and take the jobs they have created or supported. Farming is one of the few industries that can create the conditions for economic recovery and it must get every bit of help that we in government can give it ”
KILKEE & LAHINCH SWIMMING POOLS TO RECEIVE ACCESS & ENERGY GRANTS
October 19th 2011
Fine Gael Senator Tony Mulcahy has welcomed Minister of State for Tourism & Sport Michael Ring’s announcement this morning of €5.3 Million Euro which is to be divided between 30 Pools in the country.
€54,150 will go towards Kilkee Waterworld and €42,500 will be allocated to Lahinch Seaworld in grants. The costs of the improvement works are estimated for both Pools at €63,700 for Kilkee and €50,000 in Lahinch.
These grants will be used to improve access for people with disabilities. These will include providing ramps, hoists, widening doorways or new changing facilities where necessary. Additional heating improvements will also be installed to improve the energy efficiency of the buildings. This will reduce heating bills which are the biggest cost in running pools
Welcoming the additional money Senator Tony Mulcahy said “On top of the money that was allocated in August to the pool in Shannon this is good news for the people with disabilities in West and North Clare and for the thousands of tourists that flock to these seaside towns every year. This money will go a long way towards the estimated cost of the works.”
Senator Tony Mulcahy welcomes Lynx Cargo deal on Shannon
Fine Gael Senator, Tony Mulcahy has welcomed the news from Transport Minister Leo Varadkar that Shannon Airport is a step closer to becoming a global air cargo hub.
Mr Roy Brimble CEO of Lynx Group, a multinational freight carrier has come over to sign the Heads of Agreement with the Shannon Airport Authority for the proposed multi million Euro development which will see Shannon Airport develop into a global cargo hub. This will involve the construction of new ware housing facilities in the airport. Currently up to 80% of Irelands air freight is exported from outside the country.
On hearing the news Senator Mulcahy was quoted as saying “ This is terrific for the Airport and the region as a whole. We have been chasing this project for many years in Shannon and during my time as Mayor of Clare I lead delegations to meet with the previous minister Noel Dempsey to push this development. I have also spoken to Minister Leo Varadkar on the importance of the project for the development of the region. We have one of the longest runways in Europe and an airport that has not been used to it’s full potential. With today’s announcement we will see Shannon, Clare and the whole Mid west prosper. It is great to see a Global company such as Lynx identify Shannon as an ideal location to set up a freight cargo hub. It will create jobs in the construction and staffing phases of the project with additional spin off jobs also being created when the facility is up and running.”
ENDS
Media queries to Senator Mulcahy on 086 2436345. E mail: tony@tonymulcahy.com
Senator Tony Mulcahy welcomes €495,429 in funding for winter road maintenance
Fine Gael Senator, Tony Mulcahy has welcomed the increase in funding for Clare County Council to help maintain roads over the coming winter months.
“I am very pleased to hear that the Minister for Transport Leo Varadkar has allocated an extra €1.25 million to help local authorities around the country with winter maintenance and keeping roads clear during harsh weather. The total being allocated nationally comes to €11.25 million, with Clare County Council set to receive €495,429, an increase of 12.5%.
This is a good example of the proper planning. This will enable the council to avoid some of the delay and disruption experienced earlier this year and late last year. Local authorities struggled to keep roads clear and gritted because we were caught out by severe weather before Christmas. This does not take away from the Trojan work carried out by Clare County Council road crews who went out in very hazardous conditions last winter and the winter before”. The Senator went out to say
“An additional Sixty thousand tonnes of salt is being directly purchased, which will be provided to local authorities nationwide on top of the supplies bought separately by the National Roads Authority. We have reports this week that we could be in for another harsh cold snap in the coming months. This time around, the Government is putting contingency plans in place early. This means Clare County Council will have the power to react to tough conditions quickly, which will hopefully greatly reduce the disruption and difficulty experienced by members of the public. On Top of the €500,000 of extra funds allocated to complete road improvements at Spancilhill this is further good news.”
ENDS
Media queries to Senator Mulcahy on 086 2436345. E mail: tony@tonymulcahy.com
Additional €500,000 allocated to Spancilhill road scheme
Fine Gael Senator Tony Mulcahy has welcomed the announcement by transport minister Leo Varadkar that an additional roads allocation of €500,000 for the R352 Ennis/ Portumna road has been approved. Speaking today Senator Mulcahy said “This additional money will enable Clare County Council to complete and open the realigned section of the road at Spancilhill. It will remove some nasty bends on the Ennis to East Clare road making it safer for motorists and other road users. I hope that other roads in the county in need of improvements will also be included in the not too distant future. Roads are the arteries of the transport economy the better they are the safer and quicker goods can be delivered” This is part a series of grants to local authorities around the country to improve local and regional roads for works to be carried out by years end
Mulcahy Welcomes €100m Eircom Broadband Investment
The existing network will be up graded from a copper based network to a Fibre optic cable network in a multiyear planned programme which should see 1,000,000 homes and businesses benefit from the latest in broadband technology. Mulcahy, Fine Gaels Senate spokesperson on Energy, Communications and Natural Resources said“, This announcement by Eircom this morning shows their commitment to provide their customers with Next Generation Broadband and services such as video on demand, Television and Social Media via TV. With further announcements expected from other broadband providers I can see a great future for the communications industry in Ireland”
END
Electricity Transmission Assets To Remain With ESB
Electricity Transmission Assets To Remain With ESB
Fine Gael Senate Spokesman on Energy, Communications and Natural Resources Senator Tony Mulcahy has welcomed Minister Pat Rabbite’s decision that the ownership of the electricity assets will remain with the ESB while EirGrid will continue to operate and develop the transmission system.
This Goverment decision has followed months of consultations and the report carried out by Frontier Economics Limited under the independent chairmanship of Mr Fergus Cahill. Senator Mulcahy said “This decision ensures that Ireland complies with the E.U. Third Energy Package directives the objective of which is to facilitate cross border trade, reduce energy costs for consumers and businesses alike. This is most important in the single energy market that operates on the island of Ireland”
Fine Gael Clare Senator, Tony Mulcahy, has welcomed the progress in making new Shannon Bridge a reality
Mulcahy welcomes progress for Shannon Bridge Crossing
“Minister Varadkar has approved the publication of the Statutory Orders in
relation to the Shannon Bridge Crossing and Killaloe. This will allow
Clare County Council to get approval from An Bord Pleanála for the
Environmental Impact Statement and the associated Compulsory Purchase
Order.
“This announcement means that the much needed new bridge is moving closer
towards becoming a reality. If this stage of the process is successful the
scheme could be approved and land could be bought within the next two
years.
“Local representatives have worked tirelessly to get this project
approved, in a bid to improve the lives of local residents in both Clare
and Tipperary. The current situation where people have to cross the
existing narrow bridge cannot be allowed to continue. The construction of
the new bridge will improve traffic flow and eliminate safety concerns.
“The cost of delivering the entire scheme, at €41 million, is significant.
However it can be divided into three phases; the Killaloe Bypass
(€11.93m), the Shannon Bridge Crossing (€12m) and the works on the R494
(€16.6m).
“I am hopeful that the project can now move forward swiftly, and that the
people of Clare and Tipperary can look forward to a better, smoother route
between Killaloe and Ballina in the future.”
Media queries to Senator Mulcahy on 086 2436345. E mail: tony@tonymulcahy.com
Mulcahy welcomes Minister Hogan’s Boundary decision
Newly elected Clare Fine Gael Senator Tony Mulcahy has commented on yesterday’s decision by Environment minister Mr Phil Hogan to create a merged local authority in Limerick City and County. The new authority will have a combined population of 187,000 people
Mulcahy welcomes boost to Business flights into Shannon
Newly elected Clare Senator Tony Mulcahy has welcomed the announcement by U.S. Department of Homeland Security to award Shannon International airport full US preclearance for private jets, the only such airport in Europe to offer this service.
END
Media queries to Senator Mulcahy on 086 2436345. E mail: tony@tonymulcahy.com
Senator Mulcahy dismisses Green Councillor motion as stunt
Fine Gael Senator Tony Mulcahy has condemned a Clare Green Councillor’s recent motion to ban loyalty cards as a publicity stunt. The motion tabled last Monday at the end of the adjourned June meeting by Brian Meany, Green Party Councillor for Ennis West called for Clare County Council to ban loyalty cards in the county. The motion was submitted for adoption without discussion.
END
Media queries to Senator Mulcahy on 086 2436345. E mail: tony@tonymulcahy.com
Read more...
The existing network will be up graded from a copper based network to a Fibre optic cable network in a multiyear planned programme which should see 1,000,000 homes and businesses benefit from the latest in broadband technology. Mulcahy, Fine Gaels Senate spokesperson on Energy, Communications and Natural Resources said“, This announcement by Eircom this morning shows their commitment to provide their customers with Next Generation Broadband and services such as video on demand, Television and Social Media via TV. With further announcements expected from other broadband providers I can see a great future for the communications industry in Ireland”
END
Electricity Transmission Assets To Remain With ESB
Electricity Transmission Assets To Remain With ESB
Fine Gael Senate Spokesman on Energy, Communications and Natural Resources Senator Tony Mulcahy has welcomed Minister Pat Rabbite’s decision that the ownership of the electricity assets will remain with the ESB while EirGrid will continue to operate and develop the transmission system.
This Goverment decision has followed months of consultations and the report carried out by Frontier Economics Limited under the independent chairmanship of Mr Fergus Cahill. Senator Mulcahy said “This decision ensures that Ireland complies with the E.U. Third Energy Package directives the objective of which is to facilitate cross border trade, reduce energy costs for consumers and businesses alike. This is most important in the single energy market that operates on the island of Ireland”
Fine Gael Clare Senator, Tony Mulcahy, has welcomed the progress in making new Shannon Bridge a reality
Mulcahy welcomes progress for Shannon Bridge Crossing
“Minister Varadkar has approved the publication of the Statutory Orders in
relation to the Shannon Bridge Crossing and Killaloe. This will allow
Clare County Council to get approval from An Bord Pleanála for the
Environmental Impact Statement and the associated Compulsory Purchase
Order.
“This announcement means that the much needed new bridge is moving closer
towards becoming a reality. If this stage of the process is successful the
scheme could be approved and land could be bought within the next two
years.
“Local representatives have worked tirelessly to get this project
approved, in a bid to improve the lives of local residents in both Clare
and Tipperary. The current situation where people have to cross the
existing narrow bridge cannot be allowed to continue. The construction of
the new bridge will improve traffic flow and eliminate safety concerns.
“The cost of delivering the entire scheme, at €41 million, is significant.
However it can be divided into three phases; the Killaloe Bypass
(€11.93m), the Shannon Bridge Crossing (€12m) and the works on the R494
(€16.6m).
“I am hopeful that the project can now move forward swiftly, and that the
people of Clare and Tipperary can look forward to a better, smoother route
between Killaloe and Ballina in the future.”
Media queries to Senator Mulcahy on 086 2436345. E mail: tony@tonymulcahy.com
Mulcahy welcomes Minister Hogan’s Boundary decision
Newly elected Clare Fine Gael Senator Tony Mulcahy has commented on yesterday’s decision by Environment minister Mr Phil Hogan to create a merged local authority in Limerick City and County. The new authority will have a combined population of 187,000 people
The decision is broadly in line with recommendations made in the report of the “Limerick Local Government Committee” which was chaired by Mr Denis Brosnan former chairman of the Kerry Group plc. The committee which was set up in February 2010 reported in summer 2010 to the then Environment Minister John Gormley. No decision was taken prior to the February general election by the outgoing Fianna Fail government.
Commenting this morning after speaking to Minister Phil Hogan Mulcahy said “I know this was a very difficult decision for Minister Phil Hogan to make. But when he had spoken to the relevant Local Authorities he saw that including any part of Clare in the new boundary would not make any sense . As Mayor of Clare I fought to retain the existing boundary and held many meetings between the elected members of Clare County Council and the Limerick Local government Committee. I told them in no uncertain terms that neither Clare County Council, the elected representatives or the residents in areas targeted for inclusion by the committee wanted the Limerick City boundary to move into County Clare. The committee wanted to transfer up to 5 square kilometres and 3,000 residents from County Clare to the administration of Limerick city. This Government has not let that happen. Millions of tax payer’s money will now be saved by a merged authority in Limerick. This decision will ultimately lead to a reinvigorated city and region. Let today’s decision be the last boundary move”
- END-
Media queries to Senator Mulcahy on 086 2436345. E mail: tony@tonymulcahy.com
Mulcahy welcomes boost to Business flights into Shannon
Newly elected Clare Senator Tony Mulcahy has welcomed the announcement by U.S. Department of Homeland Security to award Shannon International airport full US preclearance for private jets, the only such airport in Europe to offer this service.
Speaking last night Senator Mulcahy said “This is a fantastic opportunity for Shannon International airport to attract further business flights into the region. Every new service that is offered by the airport makes Shannon and Ireland an attractive stopover destination for multinational executives transiting from Europe to the States. The message is Ireland is open for business”
The new facility will allow US bound private jets to stop off in Shannon refuel and complete their full immigration, Customs and Department of agriculture inspections prior to departure. Flights can then continue on up to 200 destinations such as Dallas Fort Worth in Texas, Anchorage in Alaska, Honolulu in Hawaii, JFK in New York, O Hare in Chicago, as well as Dulles International which serves Washington D.C. On arrival flights will be processed as domestic flights thus enabling business passengers to transit through U.S. airports in the least amount of time. The preclearance will operate daily from 07.00AM to 03.00PM
END
Media queries to Senator Mulcahy on 086 2436345. E mail: tony@tonymulcahy.com
Senator Mulcahy dismisses Green Councillor motion as stunt
Fine Gael Senator Tony Mulcahy has condemned a Clare Green Councillor’s recent motion to ban loyalty cards as a publicity stunt. The motion tabled last Monday at the end of the adjourned June meeting by Brian Meany, Green Party Councillor for Ennis West called for Clare County Council to ban loyalty cards in the county. The motion was submitted for adoption without discussion.
When contacted about the motion Senator Mulcahy said “A lot of retail businesses in Clare depend on loyalty schemes to promote their business. Additionally we have hotel visitors staying here on breaks that they purchased through loyalty schemes. Shops in Ennis, Shannon, Kilrush and other towns and villages in the county would lose customers to places like Galway and Limerick if this was allowed to stand. This was a stunt to gain publicity and was obviously not thought through when it was proposed by the Green party councillor. Anything that puts jobs at risk in Clare has to be condemned. Councillors should be coming up with ideas that help businesses to create and maintain jobs”.
Councillor Meaney who has been on Clare County Council since 2004 is also a member of Ennis town council having been elected to the town council in 2009 when he took the seat vacated by fellow Green party councillor Donal O Bearra who did not contest the election. He has also stood for the party in a number of general elections without success.
END
Media queries to Senator Mulcahy on 086 2436345. E mail: tony@tonymulcahy.com
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