Coveney failed to make stand on bees
The pesticide giants had waged a lavishly-funded campaign to dissuade EU member states from backing the ban. They had enormous resources at their disposal and the services of the best PR firms that money could buy. In the weeks leading up to the vote, the corridors of power in Brussels and Strasbourg became hives of activity as the lobbying intensified.
Thankfully enough states placed the proven ecological value of the bee above commercial; and short-term political, gain.