Longford MEP Ciaran Mullooly says businesses and community groups need more time to deliver their projects

Midlands-North-West MEP Ciaran Mullooly has welcomed the approval of millions of euros in EU funding for tourism and other key sectors in the Midlands, but is urging the European Commission and Cohesion Funds Commissioner Raffaele Fitto to ensure that Irish regions are given fair access, greater flexibility, and sufficient time to complete these projects. As planning begins for the next Multiannual Financial Framework (2028–2034), Mullooly stressed that the scale of investment is significant, but warned that its impact could be undermined without the right support for local communities.

Addressing the European Parliament in Strasbourg during the debate on the Ninth Report on Economic and Social Cohesion, Mullooly voiced strong concerns over Ireland’s exclusion from the one-year extension of the current Just Transition Fund. “I’m less happy with the announcement in the mid-term review of the cohesion policy, what seems to be the exclusion of my country, Ireland, from the one-year extension of the current year transition fund. I don’t understand it. We must seek adequate flexibility in the capacity for member states such as Ireland to have full access to the extended timeline, to provide extra time to spend their allocations,” he stated.

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Mullooly emphasised the vital role of cohesion policy for Ireland’s regions, urging, “Let’s ensure cohesion policy remains properly funded, simplified and accessible to all the regions.”

He highlighted that while millions of euros are being approved for the Midlands, businesses and community groups need more time to deliver their projects. “I have worked with many of the projects now getting the grants-especially those in receipt of the tourism ones in County Longford. The applicants have had to jump through all sorts of hoops and loops to get the approval, but many need more time and a quicker turnaround in stage payments to get the work done now ahead of a really tight timeframe of next summer,” Mullooly said.

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He called for pre-funding, faster payments, and extended timelines, stressing that a properly funded, simplified, and accessible cohesion policy is essential to ensure no region is left behind as the EU shapes its future investment strategy.