Conway-Walsh appointed to EU committee

Conway-Walsh appointed to EU committee


Anton McNulty

Mayo Sinn Féin councillor Rose Conway-Walsh plans to use her new position on an EU committee to examine proposed EU legislation and its likely impact on people in Mayo.
Last week, Cllr Conway-Walsh was one of nine Irish councillors selected to represent Ireland on the Committee of the Regions, an advisory body representing local and regional authorities in the European Union.
“I am delighted to accept the selection from Sinn Féin leadership and subsequent appointment by Minister [Alan] Kelly. It gives me an opportunity to examine proposed EU legislation in the context of how it is likely to impact on the people in Mayo and the western seaboard. The Commission, the Council and the Parliament must consult the Committee of the Regions before EU decisions are taken on matters concerning local and regional government.
“For example, on employment policy, the environment, education or public health and Natural Resources, the Committee has the right to go to the European Court of Justice to challenge EU laws that do not comply with the principle of subsidiarity, which basically means that decision making must be made as close as possible to people on the ground,” said the Erris-based councillor.
Each of the 28 EU countries chooses its members in its own way, but the delegations all reflect the political, geographical and regional/local balance in their country. As Sinn Féin secured four seats in the 2014 EU Election, the party gets representation on the committee.
“I have always been concerned about the lack of scrutiny and analysis of how EU legislation  impacts rural Ireland. My appointment demonstrates Sinn Féin’s ongoing commitment to Mayo and to the west. I look forward to bringing many issues, I, along with Cllrs Gerry Murray and Thérése Ruane, work on in the county to Brussels to ensure the voices of the people we represent are heard at EU level. I already work closely with our own MEP Matt Carthy here in the Midlands North West constituency, and our other MEPs, so I hope to be able to hit the ground running.”