Latest news with #BarryCowen
Irish Independent
09-07-2025
- Business
- Irish Independent
Fianna Fáil MEPs will not vote against EU president Von der Leyen in ‘far-right' censure motion
Ireland South MEPs, Billy Kelleher and Cynthia Ní Murchú and Midlands North West MEP Barry Cowen will vote against the motion, while Dublin MEP, Barry Andrews will abstain. The motion arises from her handling of the Covid pandemic, and contains a range of allegations relating to text messages between her and the head of the vaccine maker Pfizer. The motion was tabled by a group of MEPs mainly from Germany, Romania and Poland, over her failure to disclose text messages with the Pfizer CEO Albert Bourla in the run-up to the multibillion-euro vaccine deal during the Covid pandemic. They also accuse her of interfering in the German and Romanian elections via vote restrictions and vote annulments under the Digital Services Act. They have presented no evidence for their allegations. In a statement, Barry Cowen said that if the motion had been about her handling of the conflict in Gaza, he would be voting against her, but that it is about other issues 'driven by far-right forces'. The Ireland North-West MEP said he remains 'highly critical' of Ms Von der Leyen 'especially her lack of standing on the issue of Palestine'. But he said the motion would remove the entire EU Commission, including Ireland's commissioner, Michael McGrath, and Trade Commissioner Maros Sefcovic at a time of negotiations with the US over a trade deal, as well as the Agricultural Commissioner, Christophe Hansen, when work on the next CAP deal is being finalised. 'The motion is not about Gaza or her broader leadership failings; it narrowly focuses on vaccine procurement and is driven by far-right forces seeking to exploit pandemic grievances,' he said. 'If this were a targeted motion against Von der Leyen alone, or one related directly to her handling of Gaza, I may well have voted differently – but that is not the case,' he said. Dublin MEP Mr Andrews said he would not be supporting the motion because it has been 'tabled by fascist, neo fascists, Putin puppets and Netanyahu supporting MEPs'. But he said he would not be voting against it either, because Ms Von der Leyen 'has been utterly silent on the ongoing genocide in Gaza, which we all can see with our own eyes.' He said he would be abstaining to register his frustration with the European Commission's inaction on defending the people of Gaza against Israeli aggression. 'Abstaining is never a good option, but sometimes it is the only option,' he said in a statement. Fine Gael's four MEPs have said they will oppose the motion, but Sinn Féin's Lynn Boylan and Kathleen Funchion, and Independent MEP Luke 'Ming' Flanagan, will vote against the Commission president over her stance on Gaza. Labour's Aodhán Ó Riordáin will not support it, saying to do so would be to side with the far-right. The vote will take place tomorrow, and with a two thirds majority needed, it is highly unlikely to pass. But the debate ahead of the vote has highlighted growing opposition to her leadership.
BreakingNews.ie
07-07-2025
- Business
- BreakingNews.ie
'Now is the time to defend food security', says Irish MEP ahead of CAP vote
A key vote on the future direction of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) will take place later today in the European Parliament's Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development (AGRI). It marks a critical step in setting out the Parliament's political priorities ahead of the European Commission's proposals for the post-2027 CAP later this month. Advertisement The report, led by Spanish EPP MEP Carmen Crespo Diaz, outlines the Parliament's vision for the CAP in the next Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF). Fianna Fáil MEP for Midlands North-West, Barry Cowen, served as lead negotiator for the Renew Europe Group. The vote comes amid growing debate in Brussels over the future structure and financing of EU agriculture policy. The report strongly defends a ring-fenced CAP budget and argues that food security must be treated as a pillar of EU strategic autonomy. It stresses that the CAP should remain a standalone EU policy and not be folded into a broader national funding envelope. 'Secure and constant access to food has become a matter of strategic security,' the text notes. Advertisement In terms of content, the report calls for better environmental rewards for farmers, a clearer approach to generational renewal, and urgent simplification to reduce bureaucracy. 'Farmers must be properly rewarded for their environmental contributions,' it states, while urging that eco-schemes be made 'simpler and more flexible". It also proposes the continuation of direct payments, including to part-time and small-scale farmers. Notably, the report repeats the Parliament's call for 'impact assessments that take into account farm-level implications' before introducing new requirements. It urges the Commission to cut red tape and simplify access to support through a 'CAP one-stop-shop' – a key ask from recent farmer protests across Europe. Speaking before the vote, Barry Cowen MEP said: 'This is my first report as a lead negotiator for Renew Europe and I'm pleased to have helped shape a strong, constructive text that reflects the real concerns of farmers across the Midlands North-West, Ireland and Europe Advertisement 'The process – meeting hundreds of stakeholders across Europe before engaging in detailed technical and political negotiations – is one I relished and look forward to repeating many times. 'While not every proposal I put forward in my recent position paper on the future of European agriculture made it into the final version, I'm satisfied that a large number of my key asks are reflected – particularly on food security, stronger environmental rewards for farmers and the simplification agenda. 'This vote, I hope, will send a clear message to the Commission ahead of its upcoming MFF and CAP proposals: agriculture is not a footnote to Europe's security – it's central to it. If we want more from our farmers, we must match that with more meaningful support." Mr Cowen added: 'Too often, farmers have been caught between rising expectations and falling incomes. The next CAP must reset that imbalance with clear schemes, fairer payments and a structure built to last. Advertisement 'Dismantling the CAP's ring-fenced budget would be a historic mistake. Farmers need predictability, not political games. Equally, however, I will not be distracted by debate around the CAP's structure and will not accept stagnant funding even if the current format is retained. 'Without an inflation adjustment, the CAP's real value could shrink by 54 per cent by 2034 - an effective €250 billion shortfall. A secure, increased CAP budget is the only way to secure the future of European agriculture and that message will be sent loud and clear to the Commission today.'
Extra.ie
06-07-2025
- Business
- Extra.ie
A million premises face power cuts this autumn
Up to a million homes and businesses could face power cuts this autumn because the national grid operator failed to secure enough backup energy, has learned. And the blackouts could hit as soon as September after a damning new report identified Ireland as one of the three worst countries in Europe for electricity supplies. The findings are contained in a report released by the grid operators responsible for ensuring there is enough power to keep the lights on in 36 different European countries. Pic: fhm/Getty Images In their forecast for the winter ahead, the European Network of Transmission System Operators for Electricity (ENTSO-e) said the failure to replace antiquated power plants is to blame for the looming power cuts in Ireland. The report said: 'Ireland is marked with adequacy risks in September where significant planned outages on conventional generation are foreseen.' The threat of looming blackouts comes after an investigation revealed earlier this year that more than 50,000 households and businesses are already experiencing power outages every week. Pic:Documents obtained under Freedom of Information confirmed that outages impacted almost three million ESB customers – including people temporarily left without electricity on multiple occasions – across the country last year. MEP and former minister Barry Cowen said the stark warnings in the ENTSO-e report should raise serious questions at the highest levels of government. As Mr Cowen told 'To be singled out at European level – something that has unfortunately been remarked upon by colleagues in the European Parliament — is more than just an embarrassment. It should spark serious reflection on how we ended up here. MEP Barry Cowen. Pic: Tom Honan 'This is not the result of some sudden crisis. It's the product of drift, poor planning and repeated failure to act on clear warnings – failures I have consistently raised in Dáil Éireann, the European Parliament and both institutions' relevant committees,' he continued. The MEP for the Midlands-North West constituency added: 'EirGrid's own former CEO even warned we were 'sleepwalking' into a capacity crisis. It appears that warning is quickly becoming a reality. 'Flexibility in the system is limited. Dispatchable generation [electricity that can be programmed on demand] is not arriving quickly enough. And the grid simply can't keep up.' Jack Chambers. Pic: Sam Boal/Collins Photos Europe's grid operators' warning comes as the Accelerating Infrastructure Taskforce, set up by Public Expenditure Minister Jack Chambers to remove roadblocks to housing and major infrastructure projects, is due to publish its first report. The report is likely to recommend significant investments in Ireland's electricity and water infrastructure, identified as two of the biggest obstacles to the Government's pre-election promise to build 300,000 new homes before the end of the decade. Estimates published by the Economic and Social Research Institute (ESRI) this week indicate the Coalition will fall far short of these targets. However, the report by the umbrella group of Europe's gird operators shows Ireland cannot produce enough electricity to maintain current demand. Pic: File According to ENTSO-e, the planned temporary closure to allow for repair works on four of the country's creaking power plants will suck one gigawatt of energy from the national grid in September. This is the level of energy required to ensure the lights are kept on in from 750,000 to one million households, farms and businesses. Although these shutdowns have been planned in advance, European grid operators are concerned there will not be enough alternative sources of energy to cover both planned and any unexpected shutdowns to be caused by faults and breakdowns. In their Summer and Winter 2025 Outlook report, ENTSO-e said there is no risk of blackouts in continental Europe, the Nordic countries or the UK. In contrast, the body identifies Ireland, Malta, and Cyprus as being the most at risk of power outages. The report states: 'Islands that are isolated or scarcely interconnected (Ireland, Malta and Cyprus) will require close monitoring. 'The adequacy risk identified in Ireland at the end of the summer season is driven by multiple overlapping planned large dispatchable generator outages and the lack of new dispatchable generation entering the market to replace old units that have closed and to cover the increase in demand.' The report said the 'adequacy situation in Ireland will depend on the operational conditions, namely unplanned outages of the ageing generation fleet and especially wind generation. Non-market resources are now available and will significantly alleviate the risk.' But it warned 'Ireland is marked with adequacy risks in September', and that 'significant planned outages on conventional generation are foreseen'. The report adds: 'These risks are driven by unplanned outages of ageing power plants and will depend on wind generation if such outages occur. The actual adequacy situation in Ireland will depend on operational conditions such as unplanned outages of the ageing generation fleet in Ireland and especially wind generation.' Maynooth University Professor and member of the Climate Change Advisory Council, Peter Thorne, said the 'a lot will depend on renewables' if Ireland is to avoid significant power outages. Professor Thorne told 'If at any time over winter we are stuck under a cloudy high pressure, [with] little-to-no wind, no solar, then we'd be in trouble.' Prof Thorne said: 'The solution is to accelerate the roll-out of renewables and batteries and ensure [that there is] enough gas, oil and biomass capability for bridging and load balancing'. But he warned: 'New commercial-scale renewables take time even once planning is in place'. Professor Thorne went on to add: 'The other issue is grid renewal which is required for the new generation and storage reality. It's a mixture of planning and funding that is required.' In response to queries, EirGrid said: 'Planned outages are an essential part of managing the electricity grid Such outages are carefully planned, managed and communicated to stakeholders.' Despite the warnings coming from Europe's power grid bosses, a spokesman insisted that the 'scale of outages planned for September in Ireland is broadly consistent with previous outage plans for this time of year, and is not out of the ordinary'. A plant will remain offline day and night during planned maintenance works. Asked whether householders will likely be impacted by the planned power cuts, the spokesman added: 'EirGrid does not supply electricity to households. We supply electricity to the distribution system, managed by ESB Networks, which then supplies electricity to households.' ESB declined to respond to queries from saying 'we have nothing further to add at this time'. The Commission for Regulation of Utilities (CRU) said it is 'aware that… EirGrid has planned generator outages during what is traditionally a lower-demand period.' A spokesman added: 'The one gigawatt (GW) that is referenced in the ENTSO-e outlook refers to power plants that will be offline for scheduled maintenance.' The regulator insisted the planned outages does not necessarily mean 'electricity customers will lose power. EirGrid carefully plans the electricity system to ensure that there is sufficient power available from other generation plants to cater for the expected demand, even when some generation plants are offline for routine maintenance during this period.' The spokesman also noted that ENTSO-e's forecast 'does not include electricity available from renewable generation, which can provide additional power for increased demand. 'This further mitigates against the risk of any interruptions.'
BreakingNews.ie
04-06-2025
- Business
- BreakingNews.ie
Irish MEP says counter-tariffs should 'avoid EU shooting itself in the foot' in letter to commissioner
Irish MEP Barry Cowen has written to the EU trade commissioner to request the protection of three Irish industries from planned counter-tariffs against the US. The EU is still hoping to make a deal with US president Donald Trump's administration, but a second counter-tariff list is due to take place on July 14th or earlier if negotiations fail. Advertisement In the letter to EU trade commissioner Maroš Šefčovič, seen by Mr Cowen requested additional protections for spirits, medical technologies and aviation. Mr Cowen first outlines his belift that US bourbon whiskey should be excluded form counter-tariffs, as "this risks triggering US retaliatory tariffs - potentially up to 200 per cent - on EU alcohol exports". He adds that Ireland exports 53 times more whiskey than it importants bourbon - €420 million vs €8 million. At the EU level, spirits exports to the US are €2.9 billion annually, while imports stand at €1 billion. With this in mind, Mr Cowen argues that a 'zero-for-zero tariff arrangement on spirits is vital to protect this key sector and avoid a situation of the EU shooting itself in the foot. I urge the Commission to reaffirm this in its updated list". Advertisement Mr Cowen goes on to write that he is "increasingly alarmed at the prospect of tariffs on US-origin medical technologies, components and diagnostics. The current draft includes 577 categories, covering both medtech inputs and finished products. Its implementation would significantly disrupt healthcare systems and the medtech industry across the EU, including Ireland". Ireland's medtech sector employs over 50,000 people and exports €15 billion annually, representing 8 per cent of our total exports. He asks the EU Commission not to include medical technologies in the final counter-tariffs list, "as industry groups have warned, these products are vital to public health and should not be used as leverage in trade disputes". On aviation, Mr Cowen writes: " I would like to highlight the risk to Ireland's aviation and leasing sectors should US aircraft remain on the EU's retaliation list. Alongside Ryanair, Europe's largest airline group, Ireland is home to global aircraft lessors such as AerCap, all heavily reliant on US-made aircraft. Advertisement "Ryanair operates over 600 Boeing aircraft and it, plus Aercap, have hundreds of more on order. Including these in a tariff regime would severely impact Ireland's leasing and airline industries, with wider implications for the European market. I strongly urge the Commission to exclude US aircraft from the list." In conclusion, Mr Cowen class for measures that are "measured, strategic and not harm sectors where the EU - and Ireland - stand to lose far more than we gain".
Irish Independent
03-06-2025
- Business
- Irish Independent
Letters: Ireland should make most of its intellectual capital and stop driving talent abroad
Its 2025 Global Tech Talent Guidebook reports that 52.4pc of Ireland's adults hold tertiary qualifications, making it Europe's densest pool of intellectual capital. This success reflects both the excellence of Ireland's universities – six of which are now globally ranked – and represents a vital resource for economic growth. However, for too long, Irish graduates have driven innovation abroad, enriching foreign economies while Ireland stands by. With bold investment in housing, infrastructure, and turning research into business, Ireland could reverse this brain drain and become the Singapore of the Atlantic. The groundwork is set; what remains is vision and action. Ireland can overtake the Netherlands and Sweden as the EU's top per capita destination for foreign direct investment in AI and biotech, but the opportunity is time-sensitive. This will require pairing educational excellence with clear strategy – turning talent into a lasting competitive edge. Enda Cullen, Tullysaran Road, Armagh Tapping the Atlantic to feed more data centres not the fix Barry Cowen thinks it is Fianna Fáil MEP Barry Cowen says data centres are 'currently accounting for around one-fifth of national (electricity) usage and projected to reach 31pc by 2030' ('Claim we must choose between data centres and housing is a distraction from the real challenge', Irish Independent, June 2). In 2022, data centres in the EU used an estimated 45-65 TWh of electricity (1.8–2.6pc of total EU electricity use). Data centres provide very little employment apart from the construction phase. They provide critical information to keep the world's economy running smoothly when they are commissioned, though. Why should Ireland be a soft touch in the EU for committing so much of our scarce energy resources to house servers for the AI and crypto revolution that are in turn destroying jobs everywhere? Try again, Mr Cowen. If your party can't even build sufficient houses for our young people, there is even less of a chance of you tapping the Atlantic to further our burgeoning demand for electricity. Tom McElligott, Listowel, Co Kerry World must act now to end the carnage inflicted on Palestinians by Benjamin Netanyahu It is way past time for the whole world to stop beating around the bush and wake up to the true horrors in Gaza. The misuse of the word antisemitic is making a lot of us ill. To be repulsed and outraged by mass civilian death is to be humanitarian. It has nothing to do with religion or political affiliation. Benjamin Netanyahu is responsible for the deaths of women and children every day. It is pure genocide. We know Hamas must be condemned for drawing down fire and killing their own people. But what Israel is now doing is inexcusable and must stop. Surely all Israelis have a responsibility to rid us of Netanyahu and end the carnage? Michael Twohig, Ballinasloe, Co Galway Words will not feed tens of thousands of children in Gaza who face starvation It's now estimated that nearly 71,000 Palestinian children under the age of five are expected to be 'acutely malnourished', with 14,100 cases expected to be severe in the next 11 months. The UN and other humanitarian organisations have rejected the new system for food distribution into Gaza, saying it would not be able to meet the needs of Gaza's people. The fear is that this new system allows Israel to use food as a weapon to control the population. At this stage, Palestinians need deeds, not words. John O'Brien, Clonmel, Co Tipperary Leinster players at risk of burning out before next season even kicks off Has anyone considered how the Leinster players may simply be burnt out? Some of them seem to have been playing non-stop for the past three years. The World Cup was mainly responsible for the drain. Of course, the longer they go in a competition, the more games. Next comes Lions duty, then some will be facing the All Blacks and the autumn internationals. All this before the season kicks off again. In the old days, professional heavyweight boxers were rested for months between big fights. Back then, the managers were often indifferent to their health and concerned only with performance. Michael Foley, Rathmines, Dublin Fans must not let cruel loss overshadow such a heroic performance by Munster How cruel it was for Munster to be defeated in a penalty shoot-out after such a heroic display. They seemed to have channelled the spirit of past giants like Anthony Foley and Moss Keane to resurrect the soul of Munster for what truly was a performance for the ages. To pull it out of the top drawer so far from home, and under such humidity, made it all the more remarkable. Leinster should take inspiration from this and close the deal for Ireland, being the sole Irish survivors in the tournament. To have kept what was mostly the Springboks team to a draw for 100 minutes of furious physicality was something to be immensely proud of. It could be the cornerstone for a revival, not just for Munster, but for Irish rugby. M O'Brien, Dalkey, Co Dublin Wonderful to witness such uplifting work by academy giving young people hope That was an inspiring article on Therese Coveney who found her passion in setting up The Together Academy, which provides young adults who have Down syndrome with certified training, experience, work placements and a social and support network, having being inspired to do so after the birth of her daughter, April ('If it wasn't for my daughter, I might never have found real career purpose', Irish Independent, May 29). It was uplifting to read of the difference the academy has had on so many young adults who otherwise would not have managed to live such happy and fulfilled lives. Well done to all concerned with this achievement, which will be an encouragement to so many families.
