That’s according to Pat the Cope Gallagher TD who is standing in the European Parliament elections in the North West constituency and who has outlined how Ireland’s partnership with Europe that will ensure we will economically recover.
“Under the Common Agricultural Policy we receive €1.8 billion each year between now and 2013 to develop our farming and food sectors and our rural communities,” he said. “Negotiations are already under way concerning how the European Union budget will be spent between the years 2014 to 2021. If I am elected to the European Parliament, I will lobby at a European level to ensure that we receive the same level of payments under the Common Agricultural Policy during the period 2014- 2021 as is currently the case.”
Pat the Cope continued: “Under the seventh EU Research and Technological Framework Programme 2007 – 2013, Irish companies are drawing over €1 million per week to support new projects which develop our high tech sector. We must stay to the forefront in developing new and evolving technologies if Ireland is to stay as a key innovation hub in Europe. This is very important if we are to maintain and create jobs in our economy and secure new investment into the future.”
Commenting on the rise of unemployment in Ireland, Mr Gallagher said: “We are receiving €375 million under the European Social Fund to help upskill and re-train people who have lost their jobs. The European Social Fund has assisted Ireland in the past when unemployment levels were high, and it is doing so again. I welcome the decision of the European Investment Bank which has made available €310 million to support Irish small and medium sized enterprise. I also welcome the recent publication by Chambers Ireland which explains in detail how Irish companies can draw these monies down.”
Referring to Ireland’s exporting position, he said: “We need to be at the heart of the EU if we are to increase the level of exports that we sell into the other 26 member states of the union. Now is the time to embrace the European Union. Companies around the world who want to invest in our country want to see Ireland at the top decision making table in Europe. The European Central Bank too has provided serious levels of financial transfers to support our economic recovery. The European Parliament is a political institution of growing power. It is taking decisions which affect our daily lives. I want to be elected to the European Parliament so that I can represent the interests of the people living in the constituency of the North West and to protect our national interest in Europe. A vote for me is vote of hope. I want to work in a positive way in Europe so that we can create new jobs in the constituency of North and West,” he concluded.
