Bluestar Institutions
Every country elects a number of MEPs to sit in the European Parliament. MEP stands for Member of the European Parliament. We emailed one of our MEPs and asked him questions about what it is like to be an MEP. His name is Pat the Cope Gallagher and he is from Donegal. Here is the reply we received.
Reply re: Questions about what it is like to be an MEP
Dear all,
I am extremely pleased to answer your questions about my role as a MEP. I am very impressed with the wide range of informative and insightful questions. I hope my responses provide you with a greater understanding of the European Parliament. Please find enclosed my answers to your questions.
Yours sincerely,
Pat the Cope Gallagher MEP
Questionnaire for Pat the Cope Gallagher MEP
Do you like your job as an MEP?
Yes, I very much enjoy being a Member of the European Parliament. The European Parliament is an exciting place to work and there are usually no two days the same. It is a great honour to work on behalf of the people of Ireland and in particular County Monaghan.
What does your job involve?
The work of the European Parliament is divided into 23 specialised committees, each responsible for a specific policy area. I am a member of the Committee on Fisheries and the Committee on Regional Development. In these committees, I closely follow important pieces of legislation on these committees, which will impact upon Ireland such as the Reform of the Common Fisheries Policy for example.
In the Committee on Regional Development, I follow two very important issues for Monaghan, namely EU funding for the border, midland and western region and EU funding for the peace and reconciliation programme for the border counties.
Once legislation is reviewed and amended by the different committees, a report is forwarded to the plenary of the European Parliament. The plenary is where all 754 members of the European Parliament vote to approve new laws. We vote on a wide range of topics from agricultural issues to economic and social affairs.
The European Parliament also has diplomatic relations with national parliaments from countries not in the European Union. I am the Chairman of the delegation with relations with Switzerland, Iceland, Norway and Liechtenstein. We have regular meetings with MPs from these countries.
How did you become an MEP?
I was first elected to the European Parliament as a MEP in 1994. I was re-elected in 1999 and I then returned to national politics in 2002. In 2009, I was elected for the third time to the European Parliament. The mandate of the European Parliament is for five years and next election will take place in 2014.
I represent the Ireland North West constituency, which includes 11 countries from the four provinces of Ireland, namely Donegal, Cavan, Monaghan, Sligo, Leitrim, Roscommon, Galway, Mayo, Westmeath, Longford and Clare.
How many MEPs are there?
In total, there are 754 Members of the European Parliament from 27 different EU Member States. The number will change when Croatia becomes the 28th Member of the EU on the 1st of July next. Ireland has 12 MEPs from the Republic of Ireland and 3 from Northern Ireland.
When you are working in Europe, where do you stay?
The work of the European Parliament is divided into two locations. I travel to Brussels in Belgium three weeks in each month to attend committee meetings, delegation meetings and political group discussions. I stay in an apartment while in Brussels. I then travel one week in each month to Strasbourg in France to attend the plenary sessions. I stay in a hotel while in Strasbourg.
What is the best part of your job as an MEP?
I find that the best and most rewarding aspect of my job is the ability to help constituents with their problems, no matter how small or big a problem may happen to be.
Have you been to many parts of Europe?
I travel on a regular basis to Brussels in Belgium and to Strasbourg in France as the European Parliament is located in these two places. As the Chairman of the EP delegation with relations to Switzerland, Iceland, Norway and Liechtenstein, I have regular meetings with MPs from these countries in Brussels and also in their respective countries. I travel to each of these countries once a year on average.
Does your job enable you to help poorer people in Ireland?
I have at all times strived to help those less well off in society and to achieve a better and improved standard of living, especially at a local level in Ireland. At a European level, we are currently working on a very important piece of legislation called "European Aid for the Most Deprived". This is a new fund worth EUR 2.5 billion for the next seven years aimed at providing food and essential goods to deprived people, the homeless and children. Moreover, it is worth noting that the European Union is the world's biggest aid donor to the developing world. The EU provides over EUR 50 billion per year to countries in Africa for example to help eradicate poverty.
We have heard that you are working on reform of the Common Agricultural Policy
What will this mean for farmers in County Monaghan?
The reform of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) will have major implications for farmers, their families, the agri-food sector and rural communities throughout Ireland including Monaghan. There are approximately 139,900 family farms in Ireland. The agri-food sector accounts for 7.7% of the Irish economic output, 10.8% of exports and 8% of total employment.
I strongly believe that the reform of the CAP must protect the family farm model in Europe, which ensures food security as well as safe, traceable and sustainably produced food for consumers throughout Europe. This is very important for farmers and their families in Monaghan.
The reform of the CAP is comprised of four main legislative proposals covering all the key elements of the current CAP including direct payments to farmers, market supports, rural development policy and new rules on financing and controls.
The package of reform proposes several changes to Pillar one (direct payments) including a move to area based payments and greening. It is vital that Member States are afforded under the new CAP the necessary flexibility to work with the specificities of their individual sectors.
Going forward, equality and fairness in the distribution of direct payments is essential. I am satisfied that Irish farmers will largely meet the greening requirements. However, it is important that greening does not increase unnecessary paperwork and inspections at farm level. I also welcome the recommendations voted by the Parliament on the young farmer scheme and the flexibility for Member States to introduce targeted coupling to support vulnerable sectors which are under pressure.
Both the European Parliament and EU Farm Ministers have now adopted formal positions on the CAP and the two bodies together with the European Commission are currently in negotiations in order to reach a final agreement.
These negotiations are being chaired by Ireland as we currently hold the EU Presidency for six months (January to the end of June). I am hopeful that a final agreement will be reached before the end of the Irish Presidency.
Do you have to travel much as part of your job?
Do you like travelling back and forth to Europe?
I have to do a lot of travelling as part of my work, three weeks each month I fly over and back to Brussels in Belgium and one week each month I travel to Strasbourg in France. I normally leave my home in Donegal on a Monday morning and I return Thursday evening or Friday. Travelling is the least favourite aspect of my job as at times it can be quite grueling.
Do you have staff to help you do your work?
Yes, I have staff in Ireland and Brussels to help me with my job. I have a constituency office in my home town in Dungloe, Co. Donegal and Noreen and Aideen work here mainly on local issues. In Brussels, Eamonn and Aisling work on EU issues.
How long do you have to spend in Europe?
I normally leave my home in Donegal on a Monday morning and I return Thursday evening or Friday. I work at home during the weekends. My working day can be very long at times. I normally start work at 7.30am and finish up after 11pm.
Have you ever been outside of Europe?
Yes, I have visited several countries outside Europe such as the USA. I used to be a Government Minister in Ireland and I travelled to many countries on behalf of the Government.
Do you ever get any time off and how do you like to spend your free time?
When I do have time off at the weekends, my favourite thing to do is to watch sport and current affairs on TV. I am a big GAA and soccer supporter. My home county of Donegal are currently the All Ireland Football champions and my favourite soccer team is Glasgow Celtic.
Do you have to attend many meetings?
Yes, I attend many meetings as part of my work as an MEP both in Brussels and Strasbourg. I attend formal committee and delegation meetings. I also meet with groups from Ireland such as farmers, fishermen and Irish companies concerned with new EU laws. I also attend meetings throughout my Ireland North West constituency and I meet with individuals and families concerning many local, national and European issues.
How long do you get to spend at home in Donegal?
I try my best to spend most weekends at home in Dungloe, Co. Donegal. I very much enjoy being at home with my family and friends.
What is the worst thing about being an MEP?
While, I do very much enjoy being an MEP, the travelling involved can be very difficult at times especially to Strasbourg as there are no direct flights from Ireland.
Do you think the European Parliament should have more power?
When the Treaty of Lisbon was passed in 2009, the European Parliament gained significant new powers. I believe that this was the correct decision as the European Parliament is the only directly elected EU institution; as such we have a special duty to represent the views of individuals and communities at an EU level. In 2009, the European Parliament gained new powers in the field of agriculture and fisheries for example, which are extremely important areas for many people in my Ireland North West constituency. At this stage, I would not advocate for more powers, as in many ways we are still getting used to the new areas of competence and we have a duty to exercise these new powers in a very responsible and correct manner.
What do you think about the EU getting the Nobel Peace Prize?
The EU was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for its contribution to peace since the end of the Second World War. The continent of Europe has experienced several horrific and devastating conflicts in the last century and it is very easy to forget the past. The EU has helped in a major way to ensure stability and peace. In Ireland, we must recognise the positive role played by the EU to the Irish peace process through the International Fund for Ireland and Peace and Reconciliation. As a border county MEP, I am extremely pleased that the EU funded PEACE programme will be renewed for the period 2014 to 2020. The EU will contribute up to EUR 150 million to the programme, while the Irish and British Government's will provide additional funding to increase the total fund to in excess of EUR 200 million for the next seven years. This fund will help support cross border projects in Co. Monaghan.
Do you think that Europe should be doing more for people in the recession?
The European Parliament has adopted a lot of new economic legislation since 2009. The main purpose of these new laws is to ensure that the mistakes of the past do not happen again.
However, we now need a greater focus on job creation and economic development. I am very concerned about youth unemployment. The devastating economic downturn over recent years has impacted severely on young people in Ireland and across Europe. The youth unemployment rate is 31% in Ireland. Youth unemployment in other Eurozone countries such as Greece and Spain is greater than 50%. We are facing the prospect of a lost generation of Europeans with the negative personal and social consequences of joblessness and emigration. In response to this crisis, EU Member States have agreed to finance a new youth unemployment fund worth EUR 6 billion for the period 2014 to 2020. This new fund will finance the Youth Guarantee aimed at ensuring that young people who are not working or studying receive an offer of employment, continued education, an apprenticeship or a traineeship after 4 months.
We must also support the small to medium sized business sector. Small and medium sized enterprises (SME) are the central pillar of the Irish and European economy. In Ireland, approximately one quarter of a million SMEs employ over 800,000 people, contributing massively to tax income and PRSI.
The SME sector provides sustainable and long term employment in many towns and villages throughout my North West Euro constituency.
The cost and availability of credit remains the single biggest obstacle facing the SME sector in Ireland, despite the taxpayer support received by the Irish banks over recent years. As a result, many viable businesses are struggling to maintain employment levels through the current recession.
Moreover, red tape and bureaucracy continue to hinder the creation of jobs and must be addressed at a European and National level. Promoting entrepreneurship in Europe and increasing global opportunities for SMEs are also key challenges for the sector.
The SME sector is the engine of the European economy, however, we must provide support by implementing polices to ensure an economic atmosphere conducive to investment and economic growth.
Reply re: Questions about what it is like to be an MEP
Dear all,
I am extremely pleased to answer your questions about my role as a MEP. I am very impressed with the wide range of informative and insightful questions. I hope my responses provide you with a greater understanding of the European Parliament. Please find enclosed my answers to your questions.
Yours sincerely,
Pat the Cope Gallagher MEP
Questionnaire for Pat the Cope Gallagher MEP
Do you like your job as an MEP?
Yes, I very much enjoy being a Member of the European Parliament. The European Parliament is an exciting place to work and there are usually no two days the same. It is a great honour to work on behalf of the people of Ireland and in particular County Monaghan.
What does your job involve?
The work of the European Parliament is divided into 23 specialised committees, each responsible for a specific policy area. I am a member of the Committee on Fisheries and the Committee on Regional Development. In these committees, I closely follow important pieces of legislation on these committees, which will impact upon Ireland such as the Reform of the Common Fisheries Policy for example.
In the Committee on Regional Development, I follow two very important issues for Monaghan, namely EU funding for the border, midland and western region and EU funding for the peace and reconciliation programme for the border counties.
Once legislation is reviewed and amended by the different committees, a report is forwarded to the plenary of the European Parliament. The plenary is where all 754 members of the European Parliament vote to approve new laws. We vote on a wide range of topics from agricultural issues to economic and social affairs.
The European Parliament also has diplomatic relations with national parliaments from countries not in the European Union. I am the Chairman of the delegation with relations with Switzerland, Iceland, Norway and Liechtenstein. We have regular meetings with MPs from these countries.
How did you become an MEP?
I was first elected to the European Parliament as a MEP in 1994. I was re-elected in 1999 and I then returned to national politics in 2002. In 2009, I was elected for the third time to the European Parliament. The mandate of the European Parliament is for five years and next election will take place in 2014.
I represent the Ireland North West constituency, which includes 11 countries from the four provinces of Ireland, namely Donegal, Cavan, Monaghan, Sligo, Leitrim, Roscommon, Galway, Mayo, Westmeath, Longford and Clare.
How many MEPs are there?
In total, there are 754 Members of the European Parliament from 27 different EU Member States. The number will change when Croatia becomes the 28th Member of the EU on the 1st of July next. Ireland has 12 MEPs from the Republic of Ireland and 3 from Northern Ireland.
When you are working in Europe, where do you stay?
The work of the European Parliament is divided into two locations. I travel to Brussels in Belgium three weeks in each month to attend committee meetings, delegation meetings and political group discussions. I stay in an apartment while in Brussels. I then travel one week in each month to Strasbourg in France to attend the plenary sessions. I stay in a hotel while in Strasbourg.
What is the best part of your job as an MEP?
I find that the best and most rewarding aspect of my job is the ability to help constituents with their problems, no matter how small or big a problem may happen to be.
Have you been to many parts of Europe?
I travel on a regular basis to Brussels in Belgium and to Strasbourg in France as the European Parliament is located in these two places. As the Chairman of the EP delegation with relations to Switzerland, Iceland, Norway and Liechtenstein, I have regular meetings with MPs from these countries in Brussels and also in their respective countries. I travel to each of these countries once a year on average.
Does your job enable you to help poorer people in Ireland?
I have at all times strived to help those less well off in society and to achieve a better and improved standard of living, especially at a local level in Ireland. At a European level, we are currently working on a very important piece of legislation called "European Aid for the Most Deprived". This is a new fund worth EUR 2.5 billion for the next seven years aimed at providing food and essential goods to deprived people, the homeless and children. Moreover, it is worth noting that the European Union is the world's biggest aid donor to the developing world. The EU provides over EUR 50 billion per year to countries in Africa for example to help eradicate poverty.
We have heard that you are working on reform of the Common Agricultural Policy
What will this mean for farmers in County Monaghan?
The reform of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) will have major implications for farmers, their families, the agri-food sector and rural communities throughout Ireland including Monaghan. There are approximately 139,900 family farms in Ireland. The agri-food sector accounts for 7.7% of the Irish economic output, 10.8% of exports and 8% of total employment.
I strongly believe that the reform of the CAP must protect the family farm model in Europe, which ensures food security as well as safe, traceable and sustainably produced food for consumers throughout Europe. This is very important for farmers and their families in Monaghan.
The reform of the CAP is comprised of four main legislative proposals covering all the key elements of the current CAP including direct payments to farmers, market supports, rural development policy and new rules on financing and controls.
The package of reform proposes several changes to Pillar one (direct payments) including a move to area based payments and greening. It is vital that Member States are afforded under the new CAP the necessary flexibility to work with the specificities of their individual sectors.
Going forward, equality and fairness in the distribution of direct payments is essential. I am satisfied that Irish farmers will largely meet the greening requirements. However, it is important that greening does not increase unnecessary paperwork and inspections at farm level. I also welcome the recommendations voted by the Parliament on the young farmer scheme and the flexibility for Member States to introduce targeted coupling to support vulnerable sectors which are under pressure.
Both the European Parliament and EU Farm Ministers have now adopted formal positions on the CAP and the two bodies together with the European Commission are currently in negotiations in order to reach a final agreement.
These negotiations are being chaired by Ireland as we currently hold the EU Presidency for six months (January to the end of June). I am hopeful that a final agreement will be reached before the end of the Irish Presidency.
Do you have to travel much as part of your job?
Do you like travelling back and forth to Europe?
I have to do a lot of travelling as part of my work, three weeks each month I fly over and back to Brussels in Belgium and one week each month I travel to Strasbourg in France. I normally leave my home in Donegal on a Monday morning and I return Thursday evening or Friday. Travelling is the least favourite aspect of my job as at times it can be quite grueling.
Do you have staff to help you do your work?
Yes, I have staff in Ireland and Brussels to help me with my job. I have a constituency office in my home town in Dungloe, Co. Donegal and Noreen and Aideen work here mainly on local issues. In Brussels, Eamonn and Aisling work on EU issues.
How long do you have to spend in Europe?
I normally leave my home in Donegal on a Monday morning and I return Thursday evening or Friday. I work at home during the weekends. My working day can be very long at times. I normally start work at 7.30am and finish up after 11pm.
Have you ever been outside of Europe?
Yes, I have visited several countries outside Europe such as the USA. I used to be a Government Minister in Ireland and I travelled to many countries on behalf of the Government.
Do you ever get any time off and how do you like to spend your free time?
When I do have time off at the weekends, my favourite thing to do is to watch sport and current affairs on TV. I am a big GAA and soccer supporter. My home county of Donegal are currently the All Ireland Football champions and my favourite soccer team is Glasgow Celtic.
Do you have to attend many meetings?
Yes, I attend many meetings as part of my work as an MEP both in Brussels and Strasbourg. I attend formal committee and delegation meetings. I also meet with groups from Ireland such as farmers, fishermen and Irish companies concerned with new EU laws. I also attend meetings throughout my Ireland North West constituency and I meet with individuals and families concerning many local, national and European issues.
How long do you get to spend at home in Donegal?
I try my best to spend most weekends at home in Dungloe, Co. Donegal. I very much enjoy being at home with my family and friends.
What is the worst thing about being an MEP?
While, I do very much enjoy being an MEP, the travelling involved can be very difficult at times especially to Strasbourg as there are no direct flights from Ireland.
Do you think the European Parliament should have more power?
When the Treaty of Lisbon was passed in 2009, the European Parliament gained significant new powers. I believe that this was the correct decision as the European Parliament is the only directly elected EU institution; as such we have a special duty to represent the views of individuals and communities at an EU level. In 2009, the European Parliament gained new powers in the field of agriculture and fisheries for example, which are extremely important areas for many people in my Ireland North West constituency. At this stage, I would not advocate for more powers, as in many ways we are still getting used to the new areas of competence and we have a duty to exercise these new powers in a very responsible and correct manner.
What do you think about the EU getting the Nobel Peace Prize?
The EU was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for its contribution to peace since the end of the Second World War. The continent of Europe has experienced several horrific and devastating conflicts in the last century and it is very easy to forget the past. The EU has helped in a major way to ensure stability and peace. In Ireland, we must recognise the positive role played by the EU to the Irish peace process through the International Fund for Ireland and Peace and Reconciliation. As a border county MEP, I am extremely pleased that the EU funded PEACE programme will be renewed for the period 2014 to 2020. The EU will contribute up to EUR 150 million to the programme, while the Irish and British Government's will provide additional funding to increase the total fund to in excess of EUR 200 million for the next seven years. This fund will help support cross border projects in Co. Monaghan.
Do you think that Europe should be doing more for people in the recession?
The European Parliament has adopted a lot of new economic legislation since 2009. The main purpose of these new laws is to ensure that the mistakes of the past do not happen again.
However, we now need a greater focus on job creation and economic development. I am very concerned about youth unemployment. The devastating economic downturn over recent years has impacted severely on young people in Ireland and across Europe. The youth unemployment rate is 31% in Ireland. Youth unemployment in other Eurozone countries such as Greece and Spain is greater than 50%. We are facing the prospect of a lost generation of Europeans with the negative personal and social consequences of joblessness and emigration. In response to this crisis, EU Member States have agreed to finance a new youth unemployment fund worth EUR 6 billion for the period 2014 to 2020. This new fund will finance the Youth Guarantee aimed at ensuring that young people who are not working or studying receive an offer of employment, continued education, an apprenticeship or a traineeship after 4 months.
We must also support the small to medium sized business sector. Small and medium sized enterprises (SME) are the central pillar of the Irish and European economy. In Ireland, approximately one quarter of a million SMEs employ over 800,000 people, contributing massively to tax income and PRSI.
The SME sector provides sustainable and long term employment in many towns and villages throughout my North West Euro constituency.
The cost and availability of credit remains the single biggest obstacle facing the SME sector in Ireland, despite the taxpayer support received by the Irish banks over recent years. As a result, many viable businesses are struggling to maintain employment levels through the current recession.
Moreover, red tape and bureaucracy continue to hinder the creation of jobs and must be addressed at a European and National level. Promoting entrepreneurship in Europe and increasing global opportunities for SMEs are also key challenges for the sector.
The SME sector is the engine of the European economy, however, we must provide support by implementing polices to ensure an economic atmosphere conducive to investment and economic growth.