There were angry exchanges in the Seanad today as the five MEPs from Midlands-North West addressed the chamber ahead of Ireland's upcoming Presidency of the European Council.
It was the first time these MEPs were present in the Seanad chamber in Leinster House since they were elected in June 2024.
Independent Ireland MEP Ciaran Mullooly clarified claims he had made in relation to Brazilian beef being used in Ireland.
The EU is set to ban Brazilian beef from September over the use of antibiotics.
Mr Mullooly told senators that a consignment came into the Republic from Northern Ireland last September/October, and clarified that it was "UK-based frozen meat" - not domestically produced - and was consumed by a family - not in a school.
"That's not what you said earlier," one of those present insisted, prompting Mr Mullooly to state that it is what he said "last Thursday" and what he was saying again today.
"There's no school impact, that's scaremongering," one contributor could be heard to say.
The angry interjections prompted Cathaoirleach Mark Daly to ask for calm.
Fianna Fáil Senator Alison Comyn tried to ask Mr Mullooly about his severance package from RTÉ, and whether his role had been supressed, prompting the Seanad chair to note that the remark was outside the focus of the sitting.
Fine Gael MEP Nina Carberry said the Irish MEPs were working collectively to protect funding for UNRWA (the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees), as not all those in the parliament think that funding merits protection.
Independent Luke 'Ming' Flanagan warned of the dangers of populism.
"So everyone is capable of populism, not just the people who have been accused of it. There's plenty of populists here. I have tried, and I'll stick to trying, not to be Mr Populist, because it doesn't gain anyone anything."
His focus was the EU fisheries policy, and he expressed concern about the potential damage Ireland could inflict on its fisheries interests during its presidency of the bloc, given the Government's performance in this regard.
"I wish I didn't have to say this, but that's what's in front of me as evidence."
