General

The role of the MEP is not a clearly defined one. I cover any issues regardless of whether it is a local national or European issue. I cover issues that are outside the Committees that I sit on in the European Parliament and therefore have a wide-ranging knowledge of EU policy across the spectrum.

If you have not found a particular issue which you expected to find on my website or cannot find my position on a particular issue please feel free to contact me [ADD LINK TO CONTACT] and I will be more than happy to outline my position to you.

Some of my work on General Issues:

• Car Hire - I have proven that restrictions based on age and not the ability to drive are illegal and the Irish Consumer Association is progressing this issue in Ireland following my intervention.
  
  
• Copyright Laws - Working to protect the needs of schools, libraries and smaller artists
  
  
• Connemara Pony breed - I have approached the Commission in relation to problems in recognition of the Connemara pony breed, such recognition is governed by the EU.
  
  
• Data Roaming - I have approached the Commission to take a stronger line on roaming and in particular data roaming.
  
  
• In Case of Emergency Number - I have sought Commission support for the Irish initiative the ICE number which emergency services will call if you have been involved in an accident.
  
  
• International Arms Treaty - I have asked the Commission to support an international arms treaty preventing the sale of weapons to regions where war is taking place.
  
  
• Libraries and Museums - I have asked the European Commission to set up a prize fund for innovative schemes that bring libraries and museums closer to the local communities in which they are located.

Pets

The Republic of Ireland has never passed a law to protect pets. As a result pets are abused mistreated and nothing is ever done about it. I had pushed Mary Coughlan when she was a Minister in the Department of Agriculture to pass laws to update the ones we adopted from the British Empire. She refused and said she would not be dealing with the issue. I asked the EU if they could intervene but they could not. Ireland is an embarrassment and I will continue to push the relevant minister to work on this issue.

Price Difference between Member States

I was the first MEP to raise the issue of price differences between the Member States. I was appalled at the shocking level of profiteering at Irish and foreign owned stores in Ireland when compared with the cost of produce in NI stores. The Commission is investigating this issue and once the findings have been made public I will begin pushing the issue again.

Reducing red tape for Businesses:

One of the largest commitments from the Current Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso was to reduce red tape for Businesses in the EU, I have at regular intervals reminded him of the need to do more for small local businesses that are being swallowed up in pointless red tape.