Interpreting EU Regulations
Poor Interpretation of EU Regulation Is Killing Our Economy, Partnership Is What We Need – Sean Kelly

Monday April 12th: Sean Kelly has called on the government to change the way it interprets and implements EU Regulations. Following a number of meetings with local and national IFA and Fisheries groups Kelly is calling on the government to develop a partnership system similar to the Social Partnership process that will allow interest groups a say in the interpretation our departments make of EU Regulations before they are implemented. This process would not need any additional staffing or funding as the personnel already exists within the relevant departments.
“It has been very interesting and frustrating listening to Farmers and Fishermen in particular tell me of their situation, as a farmer myself I am only to aware. For a farmer in Cavan to have to see his neighbour in the North till his land or spread his slurry while he is prohibited from doing so is a disgrace. It is the same regulation as set down by Brussels however it seems in many cases to have been lost in translation on its way to Dublin.” Kelly went on to say, “We should be helping our farmers, fishermen and those in the hospitality trade to develop, expand and grow their business not close them down. Fishermen in Castletownbere and port towns around the country to have to tie his trawler to the pier while boats from other countries offload their catch in the harbour it is a wonder we haven’t seen more aggressive action.”
Kelly outlined his proposal, “I propose that we look at the partnership process as a template and apply it to our implementation of EU Regulations. Our departments should sit down with the special interest groups such representing farmers, fishermen, hauliers, hoteliers etc and listen to their fears and concerns before deciding on how they will then interpret and implement a regulation. Our economy is struggling and we need to do all we can to ensure we not only survive this current crisis but bounce back from it even stronger, the only way we will do this is through partnership and working together to get the best results possible for our Island. I intend if elected to work to end the over regulation, unnecessary bureaucracy and red tape that is stifling the livelihoods of so many in our country.”