Childers in row over Labour group

THE resignation of MEP Proinsias De Rossa has led to a row over how his successor as Labour delegation leader should be chosen.

Nessa Childers, one of three Labour members in the European Parliament, objects to the individual being selected by the parliamentary party in Dublin.

The Ireland East MEP says she has left the delegation and has no plans to rejoin, and so will not be available to be chosen.

“If the parliamentary party wants to choose the head, they want someone who is tame and who will do what they want. I can think of no other reason for them wanting to chose the head and I am not interested,” she said.

Ms Childers left the delegation some months ago after making an official complaint to the party about Mr De Rossa, which she said she is now reviewing.

She accused him of threatening her when she opposed the Government’s nomination of former secretary general of the Department of Finance, Kevin Cardiff, to the EU Court of Auditors.

Her position leaves Labour with a choice for delegation head between one of two substitute MEPs — Phil Prendergast, who replaced Alan Kelly when he was elected to the Dáil last year, and Emer Costello, who will replace Mr De Rossa.

Mr De Rossa, who will finish at the end of the month after 13 years in the European Parliament, said the three Labour MEPs last month finalised guiding principles for their delegation.

“Nessa suggested that the MEPs should be consulted by the party leader before he proposes a name to the parliamentary Labour Party and this is in the guidelines”, he said, adding that the MEPs were members of the parliamentary party and it was right that they make the nomination.

Having guidelines on selecting a head was not necessary over the past 30 years as up to the last election they had just one seat. The fact that two MEPs would be substitutes was irrelevant as their names were known in advance of the election as being potential replacements, he said.

A spokesperson for the Labour Party said they would review the guidelines with perhaps the MEPs having a more direct influence on the procedure.