Luke 'Ming' Flanagan hits back at Walsh criticism

Independent MEP Luke ‘Ming’ Flanagan has launched a rebuke following criticism from Fine Gael’s Maria Walsh.

He said Ms Walsh was critical of him being a member of the smallest group in the EU. Mr Flanagan hit back at her efforts.

“Maria Walsh said she wants to have influence in agriculture. I have been on the Agri Committee for 10 years, including five years while she has been an MEP, and unless I have missed something she has not attended one single agricultural and rural development committee. Now she could come back and say ‘I’m not a member of it.’ You don’t have to be a committee member to have an influence on it, you just have to have the get-up and go and the interest to get in there. I wasn’t a member of the Constitutional Affairs Committee and I went in there and took them on on defence.” 

The MEP argued that his record of delivery can't be questioned by Ms Walsh, adding that he has been able to act as a "kingmaker" during negotiations and votes.

He accepts some sections of the electorate are disenchanted with Europe.

“There is a disillusionment in Europe in many senses. And I think the main place that disillusionment comes from is because of their foreign policy in particular when it comes to Palestine. On this, I see a certain level of intransigence and not listening to people. Likewise on the Nature Restoration Law. It’s really important that we do something to restore nature and do something about climate change but there are people over there in a bubble on €100,000 a year and they presume everyone can afford to retrofit their house and buy an electric car.” 

However, he believes Europe can still shine when it comes to agriculture and says the people of Mayo have "friends in Europe" on the pyrite issue.

“Under the beady eyes of the European Commission, it makes it less likely that this will happen again in the future.” 

Mr Flanagan said his efforts in Europe have seen €61 million in CAP made available to Mayo farmers.

“Mayo gains the most from the work that I have done. Some people will say, ‘Well what use is that to me? I’m not a farmer.’ Well if you’re a hairdresser, if you’re a shopkeeper, it’s of benefit to you."