Kilkenny councillor appointed to EU body shaping regional and urban development
A Kilkenny county councillor has been appointed to a European Union body which advises policy regarding how we develop cities and regions.
Malcolm Noonan, the Green Party Councillor for Kilkenny, has been appointed to the European Union’s Committee of the Regions (CoR).
Mr Noonan, who is the Green Party’s National spokesperson for Local Government, was informed of his appointment last Thursday, following a cabinet meeting.
The EU Committee of the Regions is the representative body of regional and municipal authorities across the European Union and has an important role in shaping EU policy on important areas such as agriculture, climate change, transport, economic development and urban planning. It advises on new laws that have an impact on regions and cities, making up 70% of all EU legislation.
Speaking following news of his appointment, Cllr Noonan said that he was delighted and honoured to represent Irish Local Government, the South East region and County Kilkenny on the EU Committee.
“I am looking forward to taking up this important role commencing next January. I am mindful that it is set against an unprecedented backdrop of dramatic change across the EU, with Brexit, climate change, the rise of far-right politics and the fate of migrants and the challenges facing young people in Europe.”
The EU Committee of the Regions meets in Brussels six times a year and has 350 elected members from across European Regional and Local Government.
The post is unpaid at European level, members are paid expenses only for attending meetings and their attendance is recorded in the minutes for all meetings.
