MEPs must make their parliamentary presence felt
On the one hand, the country has three times the number of MEPs per head of population compared to Germany – due to a system that tries to keep a balance between small and larger member states.
But, to make the country’s voice heard, Irish MEPs must work harder than those from the larger states.
The parliament is not like the Dáil with a government in power and an opposition and because of this some complain that the cut and thrust of politics is missing. But with vastly increased powers, this is not the case anymore. The parliament has an equal say to national governments on most EU legislation and regularly does battle with the member states on the details, and if they fail to resolve their disagreements, the legislation falls.
The parliament is divided along the lines of left and right that creates its own tensions, and certainly cannot be accused of relying on civil war politics. The real work is done in committees.
Backbenchers in the Dáil complain about being ignored and treated as vote fodder but MEPs can avoid this fate in the European Parliament if they are sufficiently engaged with their political group, push themselves and employ sufficient, competent staff.
Even having one MEP in a group, like Proinsias De Rossa in the parliament’s second largest Socialist group, can make a difference when you consider the role he played for instance on the Working Time Directive.
Fine Gael belong to the largest group, the centre right European People’s Party. But even with more than a third of the total number of MEPs, the Irish members got to write some impressive reports, deciding parliament policy.
Even independents can punch above their weight as a look at Marian Harkin’s record shows and as any voluntary group looking for EU funds will discover in the future.
MEPs also have excellent access to the European Commission and many MEPs, including Fianna Fáil MEPs, use it extensively. The parliament’s role in approving the EU’s budget gives them considerable power generally.
MEPs can have close relationships with their national government too, although the Irish government has not been very active in this regard.
