Newly elected MEP Ciaran Mullooly has sought to reassure the Irish fishing industry that he will remain “fully engaged” on fisheries issues.
The Independent Ireland MEP for the Midlands-North-West constituency was responding further to concerns expressed by Irish Fish Producers’ Organisation (IFPO) chief executive Aodh O Donnell that no Irish MEP is on the European Parliament’s fisheries committee (PECH) for the first time in 30 years.
As Afloat has previously reported, O Donnell said it was “disgraceful” at a time when there are key issues facing the industry, including review of the Common Fisheries Policy and next year’s review of the Brexit trade agreement which had such a devastating effect on Irish quotas.
Mullooly said in a statement that he faced challenges in securing committee positions due to the competitive nature of assignments.
“As an independent MEP from a small party, I was informed upon my arrival in Brussels that I would be unattached from any groupings and would therefore not sit on any committees,” Mullooly stated.
“Nevertheless, I set out to try and get full voting places on both the agriculture (AGRI) and fisheries (PECH) committees as I had pledged.”
Despite his efforts, Mullooly explained that the first preference for committee places typically goes to those MEPs who were members in the previous parliament.
He said this practice made it difficult for him to secure positions on both committees.
“I was told it would not be possible to get on either committee, even as a substitute, due to high demand,” he noted.
However, Mullooly said he successfully negotiated a place as a member of the important regional development committee and secured a substitute position on the agriculture committee.
He said that this arrangement allows him to contribute and vote on key issues affecting Ireland when necessary, thanks to a bilateral agreement with another European Democratic Party MEP.
Mullooly also addressed his involvement with the fisheries committee, despite not being a formal member.
“Even though I wasn’t offered a place as a substitute on the PECH Committee, I have pledged to monitor events at the PECH Committee here in Brussels and will work with all members and Irish MEPs for the good of Irish fishing,” he affirmed.
Mullooly emphasised his commitment to his constituents and his promises.
“I did not renege on any commitment. I remain fully engaged and dedicated to advocating for Irish interests in the European Parliament, “he said.