Published: Mon, 28 September 2015
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MEP for Ireland South, Seán Kelly, last week welcomed a 40-strong group of Fine Gael local Councillors to the European Parliament in Brussels. The group was made up of individuals representing the counties of Limerick, Tipperary, Cork, Kerry, Wexford, Clare, Kilkenny, Wicklow and Waterford.
The visit to the centre of EU policymaking was organised to enable local representatives to learn more about the role and work of the Irish Member of the European Parliament, gain insights into the operation of the European political system, and to use the opportunity to discuss important local and European issues with the Kerry MEP.
Mr. Kelly, the leader of Fine Gael in the European Parliament noted that “it was a privilege to welcome these local representatives to the Parliament and discuss issues that are important in their towns and counties. It is rare to have such a gathering of representatives and so I was pleased to get the opportunity to discuss with them and exchange perspectives on issues such as employment, job creation, growth and rural development, along with some of the more global aspects such as the ongoing migrant crisis and the upcoming Climate Change agreement in Paris”
“As MEPs, we are the directly elected representatives at EU level and so in order to be most effective our work, we must maintain good communication with local colleagues. The majority of legislation comes from EU level so I’m delighted to have local representatives with such an interest in EU affairs join me and discuss some of the matters that are directly impacting their local areas.”
“These discussions offer great opportunities to bridge connections between EU and local levels and I look forward to welcoming similar groups to Brussels in the coming months and years”
