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DEAR SIR: I was disappointed to see an advertisement, commissioned by Luke Flanagan MEP, in several newspapers, including the Irish Farmers Journal, which sought to manipulate statistics at the expense of others, particularly myself.
Luke uses, in my opinion, disingenuous and misleading information on one aspect of an MEP’s workload, citing figures from one committee he has clearly spent much time in. I have been a member of five.
On the Agriculture Committee, I have submitted more amendments, got more amendments passed and have had my name on more reports than Luke. I have supported family farms and advocated fairer distribution of CAP payments. I stand over my record in AGRI and Luke has no right to misrepresent my record to compensate for his failings.
While I have delivered on all my committees and in parliament, I have also been active in my constituency engaging with stakeholders and hosting public consultation events.
Working with Sinn Féin TDs, including agriculture spokesperson Martin Kenny TD, and representatives of the farming organisations, I am guided by the people affected by decisions before adopting any position.
I know that there have been suggestions that Luke appears to have been absent from his constituency during his term of office. He should be able to answer those questions without dragging me into the mire.
When Luke adopted the irresponsible and reckless position of calling on people in Britain to vote in favour of Brexit, rather than attack him, I and the other Sinn Féin MEPs concentrated on ensuring Irish concerns regarding Brexit became central to the EU’s negotiating position. That is the way we operate.
So, while Luke’s advertisement warrants this corrective response from me, I will not engage in negative campaigning in this election. I don’t need to as my record is one I can be proud of.
Instead, I will continue to work as part of an all-Ireland team fighting for the people of Ireland at home and in Europe.
SHARING OPTIONS: