Clune can finally take her seat in Europe

IRELAND South MEP Deirdre Clune has only just taken her seat in the European Parliament since the start of the month.

MEP Clune was elected in last May’s European elections, but has only taken her seat due to the UK departure from the EU.

Due to the UK’s decision to leave the EU, 27 of the 73 UK seats were redistributed to other member states, and 46 will be reserved for future expansion. Ireland gained an additional two MEPs.

The Oireachtas chose to add these seats to the constituency of Ireland South and to Dublin. Ireland South was also expanded to include the counties of Laois and Offaly.

Deirdre Clune and Barry Andrews were the last candidates to reach the quota following the European Elections and therefore had to wait until the official departure of the UK from the EU, which took place on 31st of January.

The Irish Government in January gave the official notice of election to the European Parliament meaning that from 1st of February they will officially become MEPs. At the plenary sitting of 10th  February in Strasbourg, the European Parliament will take note of the election of both new members.

Deirdre Clune, who holidays in West Cork, has been an MEP since 2014. Prior to that, she was a Member of Dáil Éireann and Seanad Éireann, having been first elected in 1997.

Subscribe to the Southern Star's YouTube channel, like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter and Instagram for all the latest news and sport from West Cork.