Scorecards reveal true workload of our MEPs

IRELAND had some of the best performers in the European Parliament over the past term, punching above their weight and taking full advantage of the huge additional powers the MEPs have gained.

For the past five years the parliament has had an equal say to the member states in deciding the fine details of all the rules and laws and has a final say on pivotal issues like the EU’s budget — both the long-term six-year one and the day-to-day spending that they have to approve annually.

The number of Irish MEPs will reduce from 12 to 11 for the next five years, which is a small proportion of the 751 seats after June’s election. But with the average work production of Irish MEPs similar to that of German MEPs, no one can accuse them of not using their voice.