MEPs abandoning EU politics

SIMON COVENEY’S decision to leave Brussels less than two years after seeking election to the European Parliament shows Fine Gael has a flip-flop attitude to Europe.

A number of Fine Gael MEPs are leaving themselves open to the accusation that they are using Brussels as a gravy train.

Mr Coveney is leading the Fine Gael stampede out of Brussels and his behaviour underlines his party’s attitude to Europe. At the last European elections, Fine Gael talked a lot about the importance the party attaches to Europe. It is becoming clear that, for many Fine Gael representatives, their commitment to the European Parliament extends no further than an interim period between Dáil elections and an opportunity to top up their salaries.

Fine Gael’s flight from Europe is motivated by narrow party political considerations and is deeply cynical. Mr Coveney sought and received a mandate to the European Parliament for a full term. It is now apparent that he has misled the electorate and this does nothing positive for politics or Ireland’s reputation in the European Union.

There is also speculation that MEPs Gay Mitchell and Mairéad McGuinness also intend to seek a Dáil nomination. It is time for them to come clean on their position.

John O’Donoghue TD

Minister for Arts,

Sport and Tourism

Dáil Éireann

Kildare St

Dublin 2