The European Parliament yesterday approved the Agenda 2000 deal which reforms the Common Agricultural Policy and structural and cohesion funding.
The day-long debate centred on the concerns of some MEPs about the fine print in the deal, which will see the expansion of the Union eastwards in the early part of the next century.
Mr Alan Gillis (FG, Leinster) urged the Commission to make sure supports would be increased to keep rural populations in place. Mr Liam Hyland (FF Leinster) said the deal could have been even more hurtful to Irish interests but he was satisfied with the commitment to rural development.
Mr Gerard Collins (FF, Munster) said it was very important that the cohesion funds stayed in place for weaker countries to catch up with the rest of Europe.
Ms Bernie Malone (Labour, Dublin) said she was delighted that funding would be made available in the new deal for the reconstruction of blighted urban areas. She promised to fight for as much funding as possible for Dublin.
Last night the MEPs were moving out of their offices to face the electorate. Whatever their fortunes, they will not be coming back to this building since because new accommodation has been provided across the river, where future sessions will be held.
Statistics have shown that fewer than 50 per cent of MEPs are re-elected.