Fine Gael MEPs rubbish Howlin’s comments
11th September 2017 - Fine Gael Press Office
Fine Gael MEPs have rubbished comments from Labour leader Brendan Howlin regarding the EPP Group and its values.
MEP Seán Kelly, leader of Fine Gael in the European Parliament, said Deputy Howlin’s comments verge on populist and are an attempt to grab headlines.
MEP Kelly said: “The EPP Group believes in the European social model as the foundation of the social market economy, and that the European Union should always take social requirements into account when setting its policies – this is a very much a centrist ideology.
“The EPP and the S&D Group, to which Labour are affiliated, have been aligned on many issues past and present, and the S&D had no problem cooperating with the EPP Group in order to keep Martin Schulz in office as President for 5 years.
“Indeed Mr. Howlin himself found enough common ground with Fine Gael to hold a ministerial position in coalition.
“The EPP is a big political family and naturally there are different viewpoints – and I have gone on the record to condemn actions of certain EPP members – but at the centre are the core common values of responsibility, respect, solidarity and justice, as envisaged by the EU founding fathers.”
Fine Gael MEP Brian Hayes said: “If we are part of Europe’s right wing political family why did the social democrats, of which Labour is a part, go into a coalition with us in the EU Parliament for the last three years?
“Why is every major advance in Europe from the Junkers Plan to Capital Markets Union – an agreed position between the centre left (LAB/S&D) and centre right?
“Whether in Ireland or in Europe, Fine Gael is committed to taking the best from left and right to grow the centre ground of politics.
“We are not bound by 19th century categorisation of politics as right and left, labour versus capital, markets versus state control. The future is about free trade vs closed economies, open societies vs closed countries.”
ENDS
Related news
Minister Patrick O’Donovan made FG Election Director for Daniel Butler Mayoral bid
Minister Patrick O’Donovan has been appointed as Fine Gael’s Director of Elections for Councillor Daniel Butler’s campaign for Limerick’s first…
23rd April 2024Statement from Fine Gael on the death of former TD, Councillor Gerard Murphy
An Taoiseach and Leader of Fine Gael, Simon Harris has expressed his condolences on the death of former TD for Cork…
16th April 2024Forgotten fishing communities need a voice - Carberry
Nina Carberry, Fine Gael European Election candidate for Midlands North West, has said there is a need for strong voices…
15th April 2024