Carthy appointed member of key EU - US Delegation as TTIP Talks progress
23 October, 2014 - by Matt Carthy MEP
Speaking today after the first meeting of the European Parliament's Delegation to the US, Sinn Fein MEP for the Midland's North West Constituency Matt Carthy said:
"I am delighted to be appointed as a member of the EU Delegation to the US. This delegation is particularly important in terms of EU relations with America.
"The delegation engages with the US Administration and Congress, political actors, the media, academia, business and civil society to raise awareness of the EU issues and concerns and promote the importance of the EU- US relationship among the American public.
"The Delegation covers a broad spectrum of issues of mutual concern to the US and EU including Agriculture, Democracy and Human Rights, Development and Humanitarian Aid, Education, Energy and Environment, Jobs and Growth, Trade and Investment and Transportation.
"As the negotiations on the Trans Atlantic Trade and Investment Partnership progress, I believe it is particularly important that Ireland's interests within the EU are fully protected and it is my intention as part of this Delegation to ensure that this happens to the fullest extent possible.
"I also intend to use my membership of this Delegation to build and strengthen relationships with our diaspora living in America and highlighting issues of concern to them. At the first meeting of the committee today I raised the issues pertaining to the Irish undocumented in the United States with the new EU ambassador to the US, David O'Sullivan, who promised to support the Irish government efforts to regularise their status.
"I look forward to getting involved in the interesting work that my role on this delegation offers and ensuring that the interests of Ireland are represented at every opportunity both in the EU and further afield."