MEP uses meetings to correct misinformation on EU

I WOULD like to clarify a number of issues that Micheál Ó Fearghail raised (Letters, September 16) where he criticised me for holding public meetings in my own constituency about the future direction of the EU.

For the past 14 years I have travelled the length and breadth of my constituency hosting public meetings to listen to people and inform them about the EU and its role in Ireland.

These open meetings are an opportunity for people to voice their concerns about the EU.

The Lisbon Treaty is one of the core issues that people have raised at these meetings.

It is clear the overwhelming majority of Irish people support EU membership. However, according to the recent poll, 42% of people said they didn’t have enough information about the treaty. There was a lot of misinformation and the meetings are an opportunity for me to clarify and reassure people about these issues. We must show that our policy of neutrality is fully respected and is not under any threat in Europe. There is a provision in our constitution which clearly states that Ireland cannot join a common defence arrangement in Europe unless it is specifically approved first by the Irish people in a separate referendum.

Our low corporation tax system is one of the reasons why we secure such high levels of inward investment into our country.

The EU has no power to take decisions over our taxation system unless the Irish Government first agrees.

Decisions concerning tax matters in Europe must be taken with the unanimous support of all 27 EU member states.

The EU charter of fundamental rights respects and promotes workers’ rights — it does not diminish them. The EU has been to the forefront in advancing a strong social policy, abolishing discrimination in the workplace, introducing maternity and paternity leave, improving health and safety standards in the workplace and allocating billions of euro under the European Social Fund to combat youth and long-term unemployment in our continent.

Mr Ó Fearghail is mistaken when he claims there is EU legislation concerning the eating of cakes. There is no such EU rule banning the eating of cakes. This is simply scaremongering and is patently false.

I am greatly honoured to represent the people of Munster in the European Parliament. It is a great responsibility fully to represent the views and concerns of my constituents at European level.

At all times I try positively to reflect the workings of the EU to the Irish people.

Brian Crowley MEP

President

UEN Group

European Parliament

Strasbourg