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.