**Response from Deirdre Clune MEP to question from OCTHIPA regarding why FG MEPs abstained in the vote regarding the cutting of funding of Bullfighting ** (We emailed all four FG MEPs on the issue a few weeks back, but received only ONE reply) Dear Eddie, I abstained in the recent vote in the European Parliament which related to funding for bullfighting. I did so because I believe in the principle of subsidiarity which is fundamental to the functioning of the European Union and more specifically to European decision-making. In particular, the principle determines when the EU is competent to legislate, and contributes to decisions being taken as closely as possible to the citizen. The principle of subsidiarity is established in Article 5 of the Treaty on European Union. It appears alongside two other principles that are also considered to be essential to European decision-making: the principles of conferral and of proportionality. Bullfighting; rightly or otherwise - is an integral part of Spanish culture. A culture that has evolved over hundreds of years. For that reason, I felt that any decision which would limit agricultural funding to a section of the Spanish Economy, in particular for something like Bullfighting , should be subject to the principle of subsidiarity. I therefore abstained. I understand that this is something that you feel passionately about and I appreciate the fact that you have taken time to contact me. Kind Regards, Deirdre Clune. ________________________________________ (The following has been sent in response) Dear Deirdre, Thank you for your response. You are the only FG European Parliament member of four to bother responding, and that is a plus. Leaving out the fact that I do indeed feel passionate about the torture of animals for the reason of ‘tradition and culture’, I would like to ask a few more questions and then leave it at that. 1: Do you feel it is right that FG will go along with anything and everything Europe sees as ‘right’ for the union even if it is contrary to the needs of the Irish People, or do you feel a bit of backbone might be in order from time to time? The Irish People are still waiting for that! 2: Do you not feel that abstaining in this particular vote portrays you (and others who abstained) as anti-animal welfare, and supporters of savage brutality and cruelty? Spanish ‘culture’ should not be an issue in a case like this. 3: Do you, as a person, support the ‘culture’ of bullfighting and other forms of animal cruelty? Quite frankly, myself and the members of our three-thousand plus strong group are completely disgusted that anyone would see ‘culture’ as an excuse for barbarity, and would fail to seize the opportunity to loudly oppose it when presented in vote form. I would suggest you attend a bullfight, watch what takes place there, and then tell us about ‘culture’. Regards, Eddie McKenna for OCTHIPA Blog / Group
Posted on: Tue, 11 Nov 2014 01:49:51 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015