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Every month, 751 MEPs decamp, at considerable cost, to Strasbourg every month in a process described as a ‘travelling circus’. Fine Gael MEP Brian Hayes explains why it has to stop.
LAST SUNDAY, ON the eve of the April Plenary session of the European Parliament, French President Francois Hollande said: ”Never will France authorise any modification of any kind.”
Hollande was referring to the monthly mass exodus of the European Parliament from Brussels to the French city Strasbourg. Its portrayal in the media as a ‘travelling circus’ is not far off.
Thursday and Friday prior to a plenary session, a systematic operation for Parliament staff in Brussels takes place where 2,500 trunks are packed by offices for collection on a Friday afternoon and transported to Strasbourg over the weekend. MEPS and staff set out on a Monday morning. The Plenary Session then commences at 5pm and continues until 2pm on Thursday.
Between 3,500 and 4,000 people every month set out for Strasbourg – this includes MEPs, assistants, political group staff, parliament staff, interpreters and translators. This is done by trains, by air and by road.
There is not only a monetary cost to all of this. In one year over 19,000 tonnes of CO2 are produced. Because of the location of Strasbourg there are no direct flights. The majority of MEPs need to avail of connecting flights.
For example, I would travel from Dublin to Amsterdam and then from Amsterdam to Strasbourg. In order to transport the 2,500 trunks and all the equipment required for the plenary session a large convey of trucks travel the 409 kilomerres from Brussels to Strasbourg. This is then reversed four days later.
Is it not ironic that the European Parliament voted to reduce CO2 emissions by 2030?
The practice of the whole Parliament packing up and moving to Strasbourg is controversial amongst MEPS. Over three quarters, from across the political spectrum, want to abolish this practice.
I am one of them. Each year it is estimated to cost the EU €114 million. That is €9.5 million each month to relocate Parliament for just four days.
The controversy is focused on the fact that MEPS have no power to change it. This is despite the fact that parliament has voted on several occasions to establish a single seat parliament.
Under the Lisbon Treaty the parliament is legally bound to meet 12 times a year in Strasbourg. A session takes place every month – except in August but a second session in September or October replaces it.
This can only be changed if unanimous agreement on the issue is reached at a European Council Summit – a meeting of heads of Governments of each Member State.
Naturally, the French are totally opposed to the idea not only because of the €20 Million it provides to the Strasbourg economy each year but also because it is an important European symbol within France.
If we were to succeed what would happen to the existing Strasbourg Parliament? Many suggestions have been put forward that potentially have greater economic benefits to the city.
One idea is to make Strasbourg the City of Justice – by moving the European Court of Justice to complement the Court of Human Rights. Another is to relocate other EU Institutions, such as the Committee of the Regions or NATO. There is even the potential to establish the first European University.
I believe the Heads of Government need to act on this issue. The majority of democratically elected MEPS want them to. It is a disgrace that €9.5 million is wasted in this way every month.
But will it change? For the foreseeable future, I honestly don’t think so. Unfortunately, France will never agree.
At last a step in the right direction, pity the way it had to happen.
In July 2013 Ciara Conway asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs #Francesfitzgerald when the
findings of the investigation following the absconsions from Gleann Alainn special care unit in
October 2011 will be available; if she will provide an update and a timeline for publication; and
if she will make a statement on the matter.
Minister #Francesfitizgerald said her department has sought the information requested by the Deputy from the HSE and I will provide the Deputy with the information as soon as it becomes available.
The findings of this investigation are still not available over 2 and half years later.
Minister Fitzgerald
Another quango. But one that is needed for a change. So why didn’t Shatter announce this earlier? Unless election sound bites.
Everything will change and nothing will change.
Looks like a scene from Cagney & Lacey. Appointing a new commissioner however should have nothing to do with gender. The intern commish is tainted by who trained her! We need a new outside Commish similar to the PSNI, if she gets the job it’s just a political stunt.
The acting Comm. has lost credibility through association and the senior rank she enjoyed in the force.
No doubt she was the good egg in a stinking basket at the top but we need an outside commissioner.
Agree. New (outside) commissioner required. Ms. O’Sullivan complicit in not taking action.
So that’s what Shatter had in mind post report. These are his proposals.
And they are excellent. Long overdue.
I’d note he resigned but there are a bunch of guards accused of pretty insane corruption or incompetence who haven’t been fired. Or even suspended. Or even talked about or criticised.
If he had come out with these at the time of GSOC or any other scandal in the last year from the force he would now be hailed by the public.
Instead we got huddling with Callinan, not dealing with the Penalty points openly, the way he treated McCabe and Wilson.
His own worst enemy in the end.
Of course the minister is going to express support for the commsioner. You can’t half support the head of your police force.
You either support him fully or fire him.
Paragraph 19.98
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Paraphrase: The Minister went no further in determining McCabe’s complaint than asking and receiving advice from one man, the man who was the subject of the complaint.
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Shatter is an exceptionally intelligent and diligent man. As so often in Ireland the deference to authority and to uniform, to good relations, trumped all reason and learning.
Shatter had enough grounds to fire him.
That Callinan did not even see the need to stand down earlier shows the mindset that leads to problems like this.
No one bar Shatter turned this from a potential triumph in to a a crisis that led to both he and the commissioner being thrown out.
Callinan had Shatter by the short and curlies. Eventually it was taken out of Shatter’s hand. So Callinan went. Shatter’s position was always on a knife edge.
The Department of Justice (?) needs a complete overhaul also. Will we see that ?
So many articles about one subject.
A Journal habit Saul. Surprised we don’t have an article to mark Gerry’s one week anniversary!
I don’t recall ever seeing a Garda Commissioner in public not wearing the full attire which comes with the position, as in the picture above. I’m not sure if this is a good thing or a bad thing. I’m also not sure if I even care, but it’s making 5pm come that bit faster.
I like that Noirin O’Sullivan left the uniform at home.
It underlines the difference between a political meeting and an official Garda meeting. I hope to see a lot more separation of function.
That’s exactly what they wanted you to think Paul and it obviously worked! Beware the wolf in sheep’s clothing!
I see she has taken on the obligatory grumpy face and serious tone and formal outfit.
I just threw-up a little bit.
Relax, women are now in charge. Sorted.
Their needs to be an absoloute separation between the minister for justice and the commisioner.
Right that’s it. As and from today I’m setting up an inquiry to find out why I’m still waiting for a job in this country. Wallace was correct on Ray D’arcy yesterday about the amount of non contract jobs. Do you think if I set up an inquiry I’d be paid? Oh that’s right I’d pay myself!!!!
Minister said: ” … the law is for everyone. And everyone is equally accountable before it. We will ensure that we have a fair and functional system where genuine allegations of wrongdoing are treated in an effective and accountable manner.”. Minister, thank you for seeing it.
Please clarify for us – does this include addressing offences committed in the past during “in camera proceedings” referring to past rapes, defilements, endangerments, abductions, torture, homicides and the like?
No, the corruption in the Child Abuse Industry will continue unabated for now. That’s the beauty of the secret courts and the in camera rule, “Hear No Evil, See No Evil So No Evil Exists” and crimes committed cant be reported or prosecuted because corrupt judges will jail you in secret for speaking out and trying to report crime to corrupt Gardai who wont investigate.
Exactly, and now with the old minister for children becoming the minister for Justice, a lot more will be hidden from the people.
With Ireland assimilating non Irish children into white Roman Catholic families, it is worrying as it an exact copy of Hitler’s regime, “in the best interests of the children” of course. Sweden also doing the same too.
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