Major EU role for Mullooly
Midlands North West MEP Ciarán Mullooly has been tasked by the European Parliament with reviewing the Just Transition Fund across the EU. He was named by the Committee on Regional Development (REGI) as rapporteur for the report on ‘The role of cohesion policy in supporting the just transition’.
In the European Parliament, a rapporteur is an MEP appointed to handle a policy proposal, responsible for analysing it, consulting stakeholders, and drafting a report with recommendations.
Mr Mullooly, of Ireland First, will have a pivotal role in shaping the future of how EU policy supports regions transitioning away from carbon-intensive industries across all EU countries in just transition regions.
This appointment is significant for Ireland’s Just Transition Fund (JTF) regions, including counties Westmeath, Longford, Laois, Offaly and parts of Galway, Kildare, and Tipperary, where many lost their jobs in Bord na Móna and the ESB. Mr Mullooly’s role will allow him to bring the specific challenges of those areas to the forefront of EU policy discussions.
He said: “I am honoured to accept this role, which allows me to bring the experiences and needs of our region directly to the heart of EU policy-making. I will work tirelessly to ensure that the unique challenges faced by Irish communities are reflected in EU support mechanisms.”
He emphasised the need for a more equitable distribution of Just Transition Fund resources across EU regions. “While we understand that the current budget allocation methodology is rightly environmentally focused, leading to Poland receiving €3.85 billion due to its coal industry’s higher carbon emission intensity and the potential impact on up to 80,000 jobs, we must remember that the personal impact of job loss is equally devastating, whether it’s in Ireland’s peat industry or Poland’s coal sector.
“We need to ensure that all affected regions, including the midlands, receive adequate support to cope effectively with the transition.”
He noted that Ireland’s allocation of €84.5 million, matched by the Irish government to make €169 million, is significantly less than some other countries. “We need to address this disparity while ensuring a balanced approach that directly supports affected workers and communities,” Mr Mullooly said.
The MEP highlighted that his role as rapporteur extends beyond Ireland’s borders, encompassing all EU countries with Just Transition regions. “This position allows me to advocate for a more equitable distribution of resources across all affected areas in the EU, while also ensuring that the specific needs of each region are taken into account,” he stated.
He emphasised the importance of streamlining the implementation process for JTF funds. “We must work to simplify procedures and reduce administrative burdens to ensure that these vital resources reach the communities that need them most, as quickly and efficiently as possible,” he said.
“This is an opportunity to shape a transition that works for everyone across the EU. I look forward to working with colleagues across the political spectrum to deliver recommendations that will make a real difference to the lives of people in transition regions throughout Europe, including our own midlands.”