News

A campaign led by Eryl and fellow Labour MEP David Bowe to allow EU funds to be used for embryonic stem cell research (using human embryos) ended in victory in Strasbourg in November 2003. The European Parliament voted to lift the moratorium on funding for a field of research in which Britain is a world leader. The two MEPs have worked closely with groups representing hundreds of thousands of sufferers of chronic diseases like Alzheimer's, Parkinson's and diabetes. Eryl, quoted in the Guardian newspaper, states:

"We have been working closely with patients' groups and British biomedical researchers who lead the world in this research. This is not research done out of idle curiosity. It is done with the aim of bringing hope to sufferers from some very serious diseases.'

Eryl joins campaign for Fair Trade

Before setting off for the World Trade Organization conference in Cancun, Mexico, Eryl joined Oxfam campaigners to add her voice to the Fair Trade campaign to urge the EU and the USA to stop dumping agricultural surpluses on poor countries. Click here to read more.

Eryl receives honorary degree from Cranfield University

In July 2003, Eryl was awarded an honorary degree from one of the UK's leading scientific research institutions - Cranfield University, Bedfordshire, in recognition of her work to promote science. Eryl is shown here with Cranfield's Chancellor, Lord Vincent of Coleshill.

Local visit to the European Parliament

In July 2003, Labour Party members from across the East of England region visited the European Parliament in Brussels and Strasbourg as part of a visit sponsored by Eryl. One of the activities included a question and answer session with Eryl, Glenys Kinnock MEP and German MEP, Helmut Kuhne.

Thank you and good luck to Stephanie

At the end of June 2003, Eryl's assistant for Eufores (the European Forum for Renewable Energy Sources, of which Eryl is president) will be leaving Brussels. Stephanie Mantell (shown centre with Brussels assistant David O'Leary and trainee Eimear Farrell) has been an invaluable source of help and support over the past few years and is looking to remain in the renewable energy sector.

Eryl joins local Voluntary Service

As part of her secondment to the Dacorum Council for Voluntary Service, Eryl visited a centre to meet students preparing for the Diploma in Public Service Interpreting that is partly funded by the European Union.

Polish Ambassador speaks in Stevenage

Eryl McNally hosted a meeting on Saturday 1 March addressed by the Polish Ambassador, His Excellency Dr Stanislaw Komorowski who spoke about Polish views on the European Union which it hopes to join in 2004.

Eryl speaks at Athens conference

On 17th-18th January 2003, Eryl was one of the key speakers at a European conference on research in Athens. The conference concluded that raising investment in research, increasing human resources for research and connecting science with society should be the central themes to promote the benefits of research throughout Europe.

The photograph shows (from left), Mr G Leon Serrano from the Spanish Ministry of Science and Technology, Eryl, Mr D Deniozos, Secretary General for Research at the Greek Ministry of Development and Mr A Mitsos, Director General of Research at the European Commission.

Eryl receives French honour

On 6th December 2003 Eryl received her award of Chevalier in the Légion d'Honneur in recognition of her efforts to improve understanding between Britain and France.

Socialist group meets in Poland

In November 2002, Eryl visited the largest combined heat and power station in Europe, near Warsaw in Poland, with Socialist colleagues from the Industry, External trade, Research and Energy committee of the European Parliament.

On the campaign trail

Eryl has been supporting Apu Bagchi in his campaign to become Mayor of Bedford on 17th October 2002.

Eryl hosts conference for local firms

Eryl held a conference in Hatfield in September 2002 to help local firms access European funds - and to give them a chance to tell the European administrators the benefits and the difficulties of EU funding. The photo shows Eryl with representatives from the European Commission. From left: Karl-Heinz Robrock, Eryl, Richard Escritt, Xabier Goenaga.

Eryl says thanks to Simon and Katy

Eryl and some of her staff said goodbye and thank you to two hardworking staff at the end of May 2002 - Katy who helped with the general workload in Brussels and Simon who helped out with Eryl's work as President of Eufores.

From left: Simon Jones, Stephanie Mantell, Katy Higginson, Judith Wells, Eryl, John Walden.

Eryl demonstrates cooking-oil-powered car

In May 2002, Eryl and Brussels-based Eufores assistant Simon Jones demonstrate a car that has been specially made to run on cooking oil - a source of renewable energy.

New declaration on renewable energy

Eryl is standing in front of wind turbines at the Sotavento demonstration windpark in Galicia, Spain.

Eryl, who is President of EUFORES (The European Forum for Renewable Energy Sources), was in Spain for the Forum's Annual General Meeting on 18th-21st April 2002. To read the Declaration of Santiago de Compostela about renewable energy click here.

Labour MEPs launched European Business Network

In April 2002, Labour MEPs launched their European Business Network with a Reception sponsored by the CBI's Brussels office, in the European Parliament. The guest speaker was the Rt. Hon. Peter Hain MP, the UK’s Minister for Europe. The reception was attended by many senior representatives of industry and senior Commission officials.

From left: Peter Hain MP, Dorothy Smith (BT), Robert Verrue (European Commission), Eryl McNally MEP

Eryl welcomes group from the three counties to the European Parliament

In April 2002, Eryl organised a visit to the European Parliament in Strasbourg for a group of over 55's from Beds, Herts and Cambs. Mrs McNally, said, "This follows a talk I gave last year to some members of the German Social Democratic Party seniors' section in the town of Wuppertal in Nordrhein Westfalen. They asked me to arrange for some of my constituents to meet them at the parliament in Strasbourg and I was very happy to oblige." Click here to read more.

Eryl joins Jospin rally in Paris

Eryl (second from left, front row) joined thousands of elected socialist politicians in Paris on

7th April 2002 to hear Lionel Jospin - France's Prime Minister and presidential candidate - present his vision of his country's future. Eryl and Northern Ireland MEP, John Hume, wore European Parliament sashes and represented UK Labour Party members. They joined politicians from all over France and socialist representations from the other European Union states.

Click here to enter Lionel Jospin's website (in French).

Eryl re-elected to top post

On 23 January 2002, Eryl was been re-elected as the Party of European Socialists Co-ordinator on the European Parliament's External Trade, Research and Energy Committee. She is now also a substitute member on the Women's Rights and Equal Opportunities Committee.

Eryl cooks up a Portuguese treat

Eryl takes to the stage for a cookery demonstration in Portuguese as part of the Labour Euro-MPs contribution to the European Year of Languages 'Language Challenge'. Eryl, already fluent in several European languages, has been learning Portuguese so that she can communicate more easily with Portugal's MEPs. She joined several other MEPs for the event which took place in the Brussels building of the European Parliament on 28th November 2001. Teresa Tinsley, UK organiser of the European Year of Languages, presented her with a certificate for her efforts (below). Photographs courtesy of the European Parliament.

Anne Campbell MP and Eryl at local trade and development conference

On 19th November 2001, Hilary Benn MP, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for International Trade and Anne Campbell, MP for Cambridge, joined Eryl and Richard Howitt MEP for a conference on fair trade and development. Pictured from left: Anne Campbell MP, Richard Howitt MEP, Hilary Benn MP and Eryl. Click here to read more.

Eryl's first grandchild

Eryl's daughter and son-in-law, Helena and Jimmy Farrington, had a baby boy on 23rd July 2001. Leo James was born at Guys Hospital, London and weighed 7lb (3.2kg). Parents and baby doing well.

Eryl visits local airship company
Eryl visited ATG in Bedford in July 2001 to learn more about the SkyCat - a revolutionary global air transport system that has a wide range of possible uses, including mine clearing - and the StratSat - a stratospheric communications platform for systems that can support mobile telecommunications, direct broadcast television and high-speed internet services.

ATG PR Manager Joanna Amis (right) and Eryl in front of the SkyCat and looking up at the StratSat.
To find out more about ATG's work click here.

The danger of mobile phones

Eryl and colleagues have recently been examining ways in which the European Parliament can help protect people and animals from the danger of exposure to electromagnetic radiation from mobile phones. Click here to enter the publications section of the Scientific and Technological Options Assessment unit of the European Parliament which is responsible for examining the impact of science on EU policies. Then search for The physiological and environmental effects of non-ionising electromagnetic radiation, dated 03/01.

Eryl meets Ab Fab

Eryl meets Joanna Lumley during her visit to the European Parliament in April 2001 to campaign for stricter controls on the transport of animals.

Eryl makes her home warmer and greener

In May 2001, Eryl took part in the Warmer Homes, Greener Herts discount insulation scheme by having loft and cavity wall insulation installed into her new semi-detached house. She will make annual savings of £112, not to mention the reduction in CO2 emissions. For more information on the scheme call 0800 783 2503 or email zoe.scanlan@ecsc.org.uk.

Potential for energy crops in the Eastern Region

In March 2001 Eryl hosted her own conference to assess the potential for growing energy crops in the East of England. Click here to find out more.

Information pack for schools

I have distributed an information pack to all the secondary schools and sixth form colleges in Cambridgeshire, Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire, to help them get the most from what the EU can offer. For more information or a copy of the pack, click here to contact my office.

Find out Eryl's thoughts on EU research

Click here to read Eryl's January 2001 interview with the Community Research and Development Information Service (CORDIS) at the EU.

Eryl receives doctorate

On 21 November 2000, Eryl was awarded an honorary degree of Doctor of Law.

Interview with key European Renewable Energy organisation

To read about Eryl's October interview with EUFORES (The European Forum for Renewable Energy Sources) of which Eryl is President, click here.

Forthcoming UK engagements

Eryl's latest press releases