Independent Ireland MEP Ciaran Mullooly has urged the European Commission to demonstrate greater trust in community groups that are actively working to enhance and develop local resources.

The MEP for the Midlands–North-West highlighted the successes and challenges faced by community-led projects that have availed of EU funding.

Mullooly put forward demands to ensure that EU funding delivers real and tangible benefits to rural communities.

Firstly, he called on the EU to provide upfront funding for proven community groups, who have a track record of successfully implementing EU-funded projects.

The MEP believes that instead of requiring community groups to take on bank loans to bridge the gap before receiving EU payments, the commission should provide groups with upfront financial support. He said that this would allow projects to proceed without unnecessary financial strain.

Secondly, he has demanded that the EU "reduce bureaucratic burdens" on community groups. Mullooly criticised "the excessive red tape that disproportionately affects smaller funding recipients".

He has called for a meaningful reduction in unnecessary bureaucracy, ensuring that community groups can focus on delivering impactful projects rather than navigating complex administrative hurdles.

Finally, Mullooly warned that efforts to rejuvenate rural areas are futile if the EU continues to pursue trade agreements, such as the Mercosur deal, that threaten the viability of farm families.

“There is no point in talking about revitalising rural communities while at the same time signing trade deals that will drive farmers off the land,” he stated.

At a meeting with Commissioner for Agriculture and Food, Christophe Hansen, and Commissioner for Trade and Economic Security, Maroš Šefčovič, last month, January 2024, MEP Mullooly opposed the EU-Mercosur trade deal.

Mullooly called on the commissioners to provide an impact assessment for how the Mercosur deal will impact Irish farmers.

“In the middle of October, Commissioners, I asked if it was possible to have an impact assessment on the effect of this deal on my country. Nothing has come,” Mullooly said.