According to the EU Observer, the European Parliament has saved between €3 and €4 million of taxpayer's money by holding plenary (voting) sessions in Brussels since the collapse of the roof of the Strasbourg Parliament in August.
Whilst I am quite sure the majority of readers will be well aware of the ludicrous nature of the Strasbourg sitting, let me take this opportunity to reiterate a few facts:
- The Strasbourg Parliament, despite costing €203 million per year to run, is empty for 307 days per year.
- The building belches out more than 20,268 tonnes of carbon dioxide a year, equal to the output of 4,000 homes.
- Around 4,000 MEPs, staff and journalists are forced to make the monthly journey between Brussels and Strasbourg.
- European Parliament officials visiting Strasbourg receive an allowance of nearly €1,000 a week to pay for accommodation and meals
Support for ending the Strasbourg session is near-unanimous amongst both national governments and MEPs - opposed by only a smattering of French and German members. European Union Treaties, however, demand that all member states grant their unanimous consent to any move away from the status quo which demands MEPs must visit the city twelve times a year. Despite showing some initial interest in a proposal to convert the Parliament buildings into a European Technology Institute, President Sarkozy appears to have now backed away from the idea.
Ending the Strasbourg session isn't an issue which should divide either Eurosceptics or Europhiles: it's just common sense.
If you're not one of the 1.2 million people who have already signed the petition against the Strasbourg trek, click here.
