The European Parliament is mired in a fresh controversy over a proposed eight million euros refurbishment of the gym facilities at the EP's building in Brussels which includes a new pool for MEPs to practise aqua aerobics.
The proposal, turned down last year by the EP's Budgets Committee, has re-emerged following the submission of new plans by Green MEP and EP vice-president Gérard Onesta. The plan is to have a "fitness studio" for MEPs, including a €5.6 million swimming pool and an upgrade of the gym facilities at a cost of €2.3 million.
Many MEPs are critical of the proposal, particularly its timing, given the current global financial crisis and the fact that Euro parliamentarians will have to face the electorate in June.
A British EPP member of the Budgets Committee, Richard Ashworth, described the proposals as a waste of taxpayers' money and his Socialist counterpart Richard Corbett described it as "a stupid idea, especially in time of a recession".
But Mr Onesta and the EP authorities are defending the proposal, on the basis that the facilities would save money by cutting staff absenteeism by up to 30 per cent.
"This is not about a sports centre just for members, but facilities for all the workers, assistants and interns in the institution," Mr Onesta said, adding that the proposal was not for a swimming pool but an aqua-gym.
An EP spokesman also believes the proposal is being blown out of proportion especially by the "usual Eurosceptics". He said this was just a proposal, which still had to be discussed and adopted by the EP.
"However, the total cost will come to less than the reported eight million euros and it should also be stressed that, if approved, the cost to Parliament will be €4.1 million," he said, hinting that the gym's management would fork out the rest.
He added that renovation was necessary because of the physical condition of the facility.
"It is also wrong to suggest, as has been done, that it is only for use by MEPs. The fact is most frequent users are parliamentary staff, not MEPs," the spokesman remarked.