Welcome to my April Newsletter, 2012. Without doubt it has been a

hectic time, but, unlike last year, the good weather thankfully made travelling this

time around easier, quicker and safer.

I have been given two new jobs. The first of these has seen me appointed to the ITRE

(Industry, Research and Energy) Committee of the European Union, which is one of

the busiest and most prestigious within the Parliament. Secondly, I have been asked to

represent our MEPs at Parliamentary Party meetings which will be an important link

between the work of the European Parliament and Dáil Éireann. This connection and

interaction is going to be most crucial especially as Ireland takes over the Presidency

of the Council next year.

I have been appointed to draft several reports including "Cultural, creative industries",

"Investing in Europe" and "Tacking Early School leaving". I have also been asked to

co-author the Report on the Data Protection Regulation which has generated

enormous interest and will be a huge undertaking.

I have hosted a number of important discussions and hearings in Parliament, covering

areas such as Health, Research and Cultural Issues. I was very pleased to play a

leading role in reducing roaming rates from July onwards for data downloading,

mobile calls and text messages which will greatly reduce the cost of using your phone

abroad. You may recall that we brought a petition from Cobh to deal with the totally

unacceptable situation in Haulbowline. At my suggestion the Petitions Committee

ordered the Government to come up with a plan within three months. I am glad the

Government has now done that and equally pleased to note that they are to provide 40

million euro for tackling the issue.

It all goes to prove that a lot of good work is being done in Europe and that MEP's can

have a big influence if they are prepared to work. I intend to continue to carry out this

work on behalf of the constituents of Ireland South.

Finally, I would ask you all to support the Referendum on the Fiscal Compact. I

believe it would be disastrous for us not to support it and I think the majority of Irish

people will assess the Treaty on its merits, not on red herrings introduced by those

opposed to it.

This scheme is designed to alleviate the credit difficulties facing many of our smaller businesses at present.

Irish SME's should seek share of multi-billion loan facility

I USED the opportunity of attending the March Plenary session to highlight the opportunities that are available to Irish SME's. I spoke on this issue on March 14, stating that Small or medium businesses or start-up companies in Ireland in need of loan capital should be taking advantage of the €250 million EU-backed financing facility allocated to Irish banks.

In Ireland so far, Allied Irish Bank has received €150 million under the European Investment Bank SME finance scheme, while Bank of Ireland has an allocation of €100 million. This funding allows the banks to provide loans to SMEs while the European Investment Bank will support the bank by covering a certain amount of the risk associated with the loans. In order to draw down this finance, the two pillar banks have to commit to allocating a further €500 million in SME finance, which means a total of €750 million additional finance has been set aside due to the EIB intervention.

This scheme is designed to alleviate the credit difficulties facing many of our smaller businesses at present. I would encourage those experiencing

difficulty in accessing credit from financial institutions to enquire at their local AIB and Bank of Ireland branch about the EIB SME Finance available.

I'm also trying to bring attention to the potential opportunities available under the Risk Sharing Finance Facility (RSFF) which was jointly developed

by the European Commission and the European Investment Bank, to provide €10 billion in finance for higher-risk research,

technological development and innovation investments across Europe. It aims to fund public and private

projects but also has a certain portion of money set aside in conjunction with a network of partner banks in order to specifically support SMEs.

There's even better news for Irish business under the latter programme, with the confirmation that the RSFF is going to be expanded further to a total of €8 billion - which will be directly targeted at SMEs. Another €10 billion will be designated towards research, development and innovation from 2014 onwards. That's a substantial and very welcome increase from the current total amount of €2 billion.

Shannon LNG project: Government led talks are needed to resolve any issues jeopardising €500m Kerry development

ON March 13 I urged the government to facilitate talks between the Energy Regulator and Shannon LNG over difficulties facing the company which is proposing a €500 million project in Kerry that could create some 650 jobs.

Shannon LNG, a company planning a €500 million gas project earmarked for Tarbert on the Shannon Estuary, estimates that new tariffs announced by the Commissioner for Energy Regulation last month could costthe firm €56 million per year.

This unexpected cost is casting some doubt over the Tarbert project.

I strongly believe that the proposed tariffs are unfair and they effectively subsidise Bord Gais. Ireland's energy market must be a level playing field.

All the players should be bound by the same rules and semi-state agencies cannot

unfairly benefit. Competition is also vital for the consumer.Shannon LNG predicts the creation of 650 jobs during construction in Tarbert and 100 jobs when the terminal is in operation. Kerry needs those jobs and we cannot allow the creation of the new positions to be jeopardised.

With that in mind, I am asking the government to ensure some resolution can be found to the situation, by facilitating talks between the Regulator and Shannon LNG if necessary.

I strongly believe that the proposed tariffs are unfair

Co-authoring a €1.8 billion European Parliament report on the EU's 'Creative Europe' programme for 2014-2020.

Tuesday, March 20 was a proud day for me as it was announced that I would have the opportunity to co-author a European Parliament report on the EU's 'Creative Europe' programme for 2014-2020.

With a budget of €1.8 billion, the programme will mean much-needed financial and practical support for the cultural and creative industries, which are a major source of jobs and growth in Europe.

The creative sector in Ireland contributed €306.8 million in tax revenues and a total of 21,328 jobs to the Irish economy in 2010, according to the most recent Arts Council report. On a Europe-wide basis, the sector represents around 4.5% of European GDP and provides employment for 8.5 million Europeans.

I hope to use the opportunity of co-authoring the Parliament's report to ensure that the millions of people working in cinema, TV, culture, music, performing arts, heritage and related areas would benefit from increased EU support.

The Commission proposes to allocate more than €900 million in support of the cinema and audiovisual sector, almost €500 million for culture, over €210 million for a new financial guarantee facility, which would enable small operators to access up to €1 billion in bank loans and a further €60 million in support of policy cooperation and fostering innovative approaches to audience building and new business models.

Ireland's arts and culture sector is one that must be protected and preserved. However, it is suffering during these tightened economic times and policymakers are aware of the difficulties the industry is experiencing. With that in mind, I will continue to promote EU support for the creative and cultural funds here in Brussels.

The report will include recommendations and suggestions for the distribution of such funding. Once approved by the Parliament committee, it will come before all MEPs for formal approval in the next few months.

New Cork to Brussels Aer Lingus route

I WAS one of the first passengers on the first flight of the new Cork to Brussels Aer Lingus route on Monday,March 19.

The addition of new routes to and from Cork airport is always welcome.

The new Cork-Brussels route will enable more people from Ireland

South to travel to Brussels with greater ease.

The Belgian city is a vital business and political location for many Irish companies as well as an increasingly popular tourist destination.

The new service for summer 2012 is one of 24 operated by the

airline and follows the announcement by Aer Lingus that it is increasing the number of Cork-Amsterdam and Cork-Faro flights.

Cork airport is a vital resource for my constituency and I am delighted to see its services extended to relevant destinations.

Referendum - Sean Kelly MEP reacts to decision to hold referendum on fiscal treaty

Tuesday, March 27 brought the newsthat that the Fiscal compact referendum will be held on the Thursday, May 31.

In my opinion it is important that we have a clear, factual and informed debate on the truly relevant issues in Ireland ahead of the referendum on the Fiscal Compact Treaty.

It would be unhelpful if the debate was hijacked or if the issues were muddied and confused by inaccurate comments.

The Fiscal Compact is about ensuring greater fiscal responsibility and budgetary control across the Eurozone

in order to prevent a reoccurrence of the current economic crisis,so that we may continue on the path to recovery.

In many ways the outcome of this referendum will shape

how we are viewed by Europe and the rest of the world regarding our commitment to Europe. That in itself could decide future investment decisions by multinationals in Ireland.

In many ways the outcome of this referendum will shape how we are viewed by Europe and the rest of the World

Independent Inquiry into Shooting of Michael Dwyer

I RECENTLY met the Dwyer family from Co Tipperary over the 2009 death of their son Michael in Bolivia, at the European Parliament.

24-year-old Michael Dwyer died after being shot by Bolivian state police in 2009, along with three other men.

The Dwyer family has been devastated by the tragic loss of their son. The lack of information and transparency surrounding the shooting

incident is further depriving them of closure. The Bolivian government and police have a responsibility to provide answers to the Dwyer family. Today, I will hear the concerns of the Dwyer family.

The European Commission's 2007-2013 aid programme has allocated €234 million to Bolivia to help generate the economy, combat illegal drugs and build a more sustainable future for its citizens. However, like other aid beneficiaries, Bolivia must

work on itshuman rights record and

providing justice and fairness is part of that.

An open inquiry should be held into the shooting of Michael Dwyer and if the Bolivian authorities refuse to hold an inquiry, perhaps to the EU's High Representative Catherine Ashton should reassess the situation with regard to aid and possible sanctions.

Bolivia must work on its human rights record and providing justice and fairness is part of that