I refer to the article ‘Malta’s six MEPs took part in fewest EU votes’ (May 7).
Judging by the content of the article, the title was selective and did not do justice to the statistics quoted. In fact, if one puts the figures quoted in context, one would realise that the role and impact of Maltese MEPs was misportrayed.
If MEPs are considered by nationality, it is clear that with six MEPs, a diminished attendance of a single member of the Maltese MEPs would bear a greater influence on the average of the whole delegation when compared to the average for MEPs from countries that have tens of members.
Moreover, the emphasis on 75 per cent attendance of MEPs is rather unfair as it puts all MEPs in the same boat when the same ‘Votewatch’ statistics reflect a varying degree of participation of different MEPs.
The article seems to convey the idea that all Maltese MEPs missed 25 per cent of the votes, which is definitely incorrect. In this sense, a look at the statistics of each MEP individually is called for.
Secondly, there are various other considerations that ought to be made when quoting generic statistics.
For example, all six Maltese MEPs form part of delegations to non-EU countries or inter-national organisations.
Their duties on these delegations require them to travel on to third countries.
When these visits coincide with plenary sessions or committee meetings, the MEP is considered absent. This element is a cause of concern to the extent that, as of the next legislature, these MEPs will be considered excused rather than absent.
An assessment of Maltese MEPs as one group throughout the past mandate ought to take into consideration also that three out of six were elected to the national Parliament in 2013.
This meant that until their replacements were known, half of the Maltese delegation was absent from meetings in Brussels and Strasbourg.
Our duty is to ensure that the right information is provided in the right context. Each MEP has a duty to represent his/her constituents. Most often, an assessment of the execution of this duty necessitates going beyond numbers and delving into the priorities and the activities of the individual MEPs.