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                           <title><![CDATA[Strasbourg Round-up July 2010]]></title>
                           <description><![CDATA[Welcome to my Strasbourg Roundup. This is a very brief update to let you know what happens at the plenary sessions of the European Parliament.    Labour MEPs meet Catherine Ashton, High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy This week I met, alongside my Labour MEP colleagues, with Catherine Ashton to discuss the European External Action Service (EEAS)- the new EU foreign service designed to make the EU more coherent and powerful on the world stage. The EEAS will benefit EU citizens on a practical level as it will make it easier to obtain consular services while...]]></description>
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                           <pubDate>Sat, 10 Jul 2010 01:23:14</pubDate>
                           
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                           <title><![CDATA[Strasbourg Round-up June 2010]]></title>
                           <description><![CDATA[Strasbourg Roundup June 2010  Welcome to my Strasbourg Roundup. This is a very brief update to let you know what happens at the plenary sessions of the European Parliament. This month saw some key votes on food labelling and the Millennium Development Goals as well as Parliament's reaction to the Israeli attack on the Gaza flotilla and Korean relations after the sinking of the Chenoan.   Food Information After months of intense lobbying from the food and drink industry, Parliament voted on draft EU legislation on food labelling. I was pleased that the Parliament backed provisions for clearer...]]></description>
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                           <pubDate>Wed, 30 Nov -0001 12:00:00</pubDate>
                           
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                           <title><![CDATA[Strasbourg Round-up May 2010]]></title>
                           <description><![CDATA[Strasbourg Roundup
 
This month in Strasbourg we debated and voted on a number of issues, including organ donation, a youth strategy for Europe and food safety.
 
International Day against Homophobia
On Monday 17th May Parliament opened by celebrating the International Day against Homophobia (IDAHO). It was the sixth time the Parliament had celebrated IDAHO, and as a member of the Parliament Intergroup on LGBT Rights I am very pleased to see that the European Parliament is sending such a strong message against discrimination. For the first time there were joint statements released from three top-level EU leaders in support of IDAHO:...]]></description>
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                           <pubDate>Wed, 30 Nov -0001 12:00:00</pubDate>
                           
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                           <title><![CDATA[Strasbourg Round-up January 2010]]></title>
                           <description><![CDATA[Strasbourg Roundup: January 2010  Our January plenary session has been an unusual month in Strasbourg. While there were not many votes held, MEPs have been busy questioning the proposed candidates to the European Commission. The 3 hour-long hearings are a chance for the Commissioner-designates to outline their plans for the next 5 years, as well as answer more personal questions about their views on their portfolios. Last week in Brussels I asked the Commissioner-designate for Trade Karl de Gucht about access to medicines for the developing world, and I was pleased to hear he will work to ensure we...]]></description>
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                           <pubDate>Tue, 26 Jan 2010 11:41:39</pubDate>
                           
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                           <title><![CDATA[Strasbourg Round-up November 2009]]></title>
                           <description><![CDATA[Strasbourg Roundup: November 2009   Treaty of Lisbon November saw the last plenary session before the Treaty of Lisbon came into force on 1st December. It has been an exciting time in the Parliament, as it gets ready to have a greater say in the legislative procedure. I am pleased the Treaty will give the democratic institution a greater role in decision-making in the EU, and am looking forward to the enhanced role we will have in areas such as international trade. I was particularly pleased to see Catherine Ashton appointed to the position of High Representative. As a...]]></description>
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                           <pubDate>Wed, 30 Nov -0001 12:00:00</pubDate>
                           
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                           <title><![CDATA[Stasbourt Round-up October 2009]]></title>
                           <description><![CDATA[Welcome to my Strasbourg Roundup. This is a very brief update to let you know what happens at the plenary meetings of the European Parliament. Plenary sessions in Strasbourg are now fully underway after the return of to Parliamentary work in September. This month was a busy session, which was mainly concerned with a vote on the EU budget for 2010. EU Budget 2010 The Parliament voted on the EU budget for 2010, and voted strongly in favour of the proposed budget. This now forms the basis for negotiations which the Parliament will enter into with the Council of Ministers...]]></description>
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                           <pubDate>Mon, 26 Oct 2009 11:23:31</pubDate>
                           
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                           <title><![CDATA[Brussels Mini Plenary Round-up, 6-8 October]]></title>
                           <description><![CDATA[As well as our usual Strasbourg plenary session later this month, we had a 2 day mini-plenary here in Brussels from 6-8 October. We debated and voted on a number of issues, as well as discussing the positive result of the Irish referendum on the Lisbon Treaty.   Funds to Abruzzo earthquake region I voted in favour of sending money from the EU Solidarity Fund to Italy. The Abruzzo region of Italy was badly affected by a powerful earthquake earlier this year, and it is vital to use the Solidarity Fund as quickly as possible to help the region...]]></description>
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                           <pubDate>Thu, 15 Oct 2009 02:52:19</pubDate>
                           
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                           <title><![CDATA[Strasbourg round-up September 2009]]></title>
                           <description><![CDATA[Welcome to my Strasbourg Roundup - a very brief update to let you know what happens at the Plenary Meetings of the European Parliament. The first Strasbourg session of the new Parliament was very busy as the 736 MEPs gathered for the first time and debated and / or voted on the following issues: Vote on the Commission President The Parliament as a whole voted to elect the President of the Commission. This is an important position, as the President helps choose the Commissioners, and sets the political agenda of the Commission. As the Commission is the only institution which...]]></description>
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                           <pubDate>Mon, 28 Sep 2009 08:05:52</pubDate>
                           
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                           <title><![CDATA[Strasbourg Round-up March 2009]]></title>
                           <description><![CDATA[Strasbourg Roundup This March we have two plenary sessions in Strasbourg. Below is a brief summary of what went on in the first session. European Economic Recovery Plan   In Strasbourg I voted in favour of the Economic Recovery Plan which will provide the fiscal stimulus needed, delivering 15% of the community budget. The top priority of the Recovery Plan is to stimulate the economy and competitiveness of the European Union in order to safeguard citizens' opportunities and security, and to avoid increased unemployment. The Recovery Plan is an initiative to reverse the economic decline by enabling financial markets...]]></description>
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                           <pubDate>Mon, 23 Mar 2009 08:36:15</pubDate>
                           
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                           <title><![CDATA[Strasbourg Roundup - January 2009]]></title>
                           <description><![CDATA[Hello and welcome to my Strasbourg roundup. January saw a snowy Strasbourg with a busy agenda- below is my summary of what went on.   Adoption of Resolution on Gaza I and my Labour colleagues voted in favour of a resolution calling for an immediate and permanent ceasefire and a negotiated truce. The resolution states that the ceasefire should include the halt to rocket attacks by Hamas on Israel and the end of Israel's military action in Gaza. Israel's attacks on the Gaza strip are absolutely unacceptable, resulting in the loss of over 1000 civilians in this campaign alone....]]></description>
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                           <pubDate>Thu, 05 Mar 2009 01:10:53</pubDate>
                           
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                           <title><![CDATA[Strasbourg Round-up - February 2009]]></title>
                           <description><![CDATA[Strasbourg Roundup February   Hello and welcome to my Strasbourg roundup. Once again it was a busy plenary session, below is a brief summary of the Plenary, and my subsequent meetings and discussions.   Mahmoud Abbas addresses Parliament This month Mahmoud Abbas, Palestinian President addressed the European Parliament. The ongoing violence and murder of innocent Palestinians is a disgusting situation which needs to come to an end. The ceasefire which is in place now needs to be followed up by a lasting peace deal to ensure the safety of all involved. Parliament recently postponed the vote on improving...]]></description>
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                           <pubDate>Thu, 05 Mar 2009 01:00:44</pubDate>
                           
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                           <title><![CDATA[Strasbourg Roundup - December 2008]]></title>
                           <description><![CDATA[Strasbourg Roundup - December 2008  Hello and welcome to my Strasbourg Roundup. December was a packed schedule with high media interest and high profile votes taking place. Below is my brief summary of what happened. Working Time Directive - This directive will safeguard workers' rights by limiting the numbers of hours which they have to work to below 48 per week when averaged over 12 months. This extends the period over which the hours are averaged from four months to twelve months meaning that businesses still have the flexibility which they need, without sacrificing the health and safety of...]]></description>
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                           <pubDate>Wed, 30 Nov -0001 12:00:00</pubDate>
                           
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                           <title><![CDATA[Strasbourg Roundup - November 2008]]></title>
                           <description><![CDATA[Welcome to my Strasbourg roundup which keeps you informed on what happens in Strasbourg during the Plenary.  Free Fruit for School Children I and fellow Labour MEPs voted to introduce free fruit for children at school. The scheme is modelled on the UK government's successful free school fruit scheme in England, set up in 2000. The EU has pledged more than &pound;420 million to the scheme which will help the next generation of Scots to reach their '5 a day' target of fruit and vegetables. The scheme will help to reduce the risk of cardiovascular diseases and type 2...]]></description>
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                           <pubDate>Wed, 30 Nov -0001 12:00:00</pubDate>
                           
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                           <title><![CDATA[Strasbourg Round-up - October 2008]]></title>
                           <description><![CDATA[Welcome to my Strasbourg Roundup. This is a very brief update to let you know what happens at the plenary meetings of the European Parliament.   Hedge Funds and Private Equity- Tuesday saw MEPs vote on a report calling for improved regulation of hedge funds and private equity schemes. It is my belief that the report will contribute to resolving the current economic turmoil, symbolised in Scotland by Lloyds TSB's move to take over HBOS. I and my Labour colleagues supported measures to improve employee involvement in the takeover process and avoid any unreasonable asset striping when takeovers are...]]></description>
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                           <pubDate>Wed, 30 Nov -0001 12:00:00</pubDate>
                           
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                           <title><![CDATA[Strasbourg Round-up September 2008]]></title>
                           <description><![CDATA[Hear my views of the latest goings-on at the European Parliament and contribute to the debate in my fortnightly E-Surgeries on www.martinmep.com.     This is a very brief update to let you know what happens at the plenary meetings of the European Parliament. This month's Strasbourg round-up comes from Brussels where MEPs have met for Plenary while work is carried out on the Hemicycle in Strasbourg (read on for more information).   &middot; Roof caves-in in Strasbourg- This month's Strasbourg Plenary session was held in Brussels as builders in Strasbourg carried out work on the debating...]]></description>
                           <link><![CDATA[strasbourg_round-up_september_2008]]></link>
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                           <pubDate>Wed, 30 Nov -0001 12:00:00</pubDate>
                           
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                           <title><![CDATA[Strasbourg Round-up  - June 2008]]></title>
                           <description><![CDATA[Welcome to my Strasbourg Roundup. This is a very brief update to let you know what happens at the plenary meetings of the European Parliament.
 
 This month's Strasbourg session was a busy one, dealing with several important issues. MEPs debated and / or voted on the following:  Waste Framework Directive - Myself and colleagues voted on a report which aims to cut down the volume of municipal and construction waste currently being dumped into landfills across the EU. The Directive will require Members States to ensure that waste is prevented in the first instance and, where that...]]></description>
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                           <pubDate>Wed, 30 Nov -0001 12:00:00</pubDate>
                           
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                           <title><![CDATA[Strasbourg Roundup - April 2008]]></title>
                           <description><![CDATA[Welcome to my Strasbourg Roundup. This is a very brief update
to let you know what happens at the plenary meetings of the
European Parliament.
 

This month's Strasbourg session was a busy one, dealing with
several important issues. MEPs debated and / or voted on the
following: 
Sanctions against Burma - Myself
and colleagues voted on a Resolution calling for tougher sanctions
against Burma as well as a worldwide embargo on the sale of arms to
Burma and the release of all political prisoners. Following the
crackdown against protests of Buddhist monks last September, I
tabled a Written Declaration (which could have, had it been more
fully supported, have resulted...]]></description>
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                           <pubDate>Wed, 30 Nov -0001 12:00:00</pubDate>
                           
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                           <title><![CDATA[Strasbourg Roundup - March 2008]]></title>
                           <description><![CDATA[Welcome to my Strasbourg Roundup. This is a very brief update to let you know what happens at the plenary meetings of the European Parliament. This month's Strasbourg session was a busy one, dealing with several important issues. MEPs debated and / or voted on the following: CAP Health Check - Myself and colleagues debated and voted on a report on the future of the Common Agricultural Policy. The Labour Party would like to see Europe move away from its harmful policy of subsidising domestic produce. This policy has had a negative impact on some of the poorest countries in...]]></description>
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                           <pubDate>Wed, 30 Nov -0001 12:00:00</pubDate>
                           
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                           <title><![CDATA[Strasbourg Roundup - February 2008]]></title>
                           <description><![CDATA[Welcome to my Strasbourg Roundup. This is a very brief update to let you know what happens at the plenary meetings of the European Parliament. This month's Strasbourg session was a busy one, dealing with several important issues. MEPs debated and / or voted on the following: Lisbon Treaty - A substantial majority of MEPs voted for a report on the Lisbon Treaty, co drafted by my Labour colleague Richard Corbett. The European Parliament has, in adopting this report, made a clear statement that it welcomes the Lisbon Treaty. The Treaty is due to be ratified by all 27 Members...]]></description>
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                           <pubDate>Wed, 30 Nov -0001 12:00:00</pubDate>
                           
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                           <title><![CDATA[Strasbourg Roundup - January 2008]]></title>
                           <description><![CDATA[Welcome to my Strasbourg Roundup. This is a very brief update to let you know what happens at the plenary meetings of the European Parliament.

 This month's Strasbourg session was a busy one, dealing with several important issues. MEPs debated and / or voted on the following:
 Situation in Kenya - This week myself and colleagues debated what role Europe could play in restoring democracy in Kenya after the tragic deaths of 600 people following the widely contested elections last month. I argued that humanitarian aid from the European Union should continue as the EU has a duty to...]]></description>
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                           <pubDate>Wed, 30 Nov -0001 12:00:00</pubDate>
                           
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