An Ireland South MEP has secured influential positions on three of the European Parliament’s largest committees.
Seán Kelly retakes his seat with the Industry, Research and Energy (ITRE) Committee and also will serve as a substitute on both the Environment, Public Health and Food Safety (ENVI) and Foreign Affairs (AFET) Committees.
He says the roles will enable him to influence key policies that drive environmental sustainability, industrial innovation, and global diplomacy.
Highlighting the importance of the ITRE Committee in achieving Europe’s Net Zero goals he says; “In this coming term, I will be retaking my seat on the Industry, Research and Energy Committee. We are at a critical juncture where industrial growth, technological advancement, and energy efficiency must converge to meet our Net Zero goals. By supporting the development of a carbon-free electricity system, we can provide European companies and manufacturers with the opportunities to lead this transition. From an Irish perspective, ramping up renewable energy is an economic no-brainer. It will make our electricity system cheaper, more competitive, and less dependent on imported fossil fuels. Making sufficient progress on this front will be a major priority for me in this term.”
The ENVI Committee remains one of the most sought-after committees due to its substantial influence on legislation related to climate and environmental policies. Kelly underscored the importance of having an Irish voice in this committee. “The Environment Committee shapes a substantial portion of the legislation that comes before the Parliament, making it one of the most active and influential committees. It is important to have an Irish voice on this powerful committee that advocates for practical policies when it comes to climate and environmental legislation. The goal should be to not only benefit the climate but also enhance Europe’s economic competitiveness and energy independence.”
Given the current global landscape, Kelly also stressed the significance of his role on the AFET Committee. “We are clearly in a period of geopolitical instability; therefore, I felt it was important to sit on the Foreign Affairs Committee. This in some ways is a natural transition from my previous role in the Trade Committee, but broader in scope. It is clear that there are differences on foreign policy among Member States across the union. In this regard, it is important to have an Irish perspective on the global stage, advocating for policies that not only protect our security and indeed energy security but also enhance our economic resilience and while upholding European values of human rights and justice abroad.”
