Cox urges Euro election candidates to focus on EU issues

Pat Cox, the president of the European Parliament, has called on Irish politicians not to regard this year’s European elections as a mid-term test of their parties’ popularity.

Mr Cox said the election in June should be viewed in the context of wider issues.

He said the election candidates should be basing their campaigns on the big issues currently facing the EU.

Mr Cox also called on the Taoiseach to do his best to secure agreement on the proposed EU constitution before Ireland’s presidency of the union expires at the end of June.