Diane Dodds has made history in the European Parliament today by becoming the first DUP member to serve as a full member of the European Union Agriculture Committee. Mrs. Dodds attended an Agriculture committee meeting this morning and in the afternoon she attended the Fisheries Committee. She has pledged to adopt a co-ordinated approach with colleagues in Westminster and the Assembly to bring benefit to Northern Ireland. Diane Dodds MEP said:
“I will be working with DUP colleagues at Stormont and Westminster to bring benefit to the people of our Province.
Working alongside Ministers, MPs, MLAs and councillors from the DUP I will be doing all I can to help Northern Ireland gain the fullest possible benefits from Europe. I am pleased that as well as a position on the Agriculture Committee of the European Parliament, the DUP holds the chairmanship of the DARD Committee at Stormont: there is clear scope for co-ordinated action between DUP representatives in Belfast and Brussels to help ensure we speak with one voice in the interests of our agricultural and rural communities.
Never before has the DUP had a full position on the European Parliament’s Agriculture Committee. This is a vital position and one I will be using to maximum effect for the benefit of Northern Ireland. As an MEP, I will be playing my part as a member of a strong DUP team driving the agenda of Northern Ireland forward at council level, in the Assembly, at Westminster and in the European Parliament.”
