Buncrana councillor Jack Murray is attending his first meeting of the European Committee of the Regions in Brussels today.
The Committee has elected members from all three regions in Ireland, with Cllr Jack Murray and Galway councillors Declan McDonnell, Mary Hoade and Jimmy McClearn all representing the Northern and Western Region.
Cllr Murray is the only representative from an area north of County Longford and says he will be “unashamedly” speaking up in favour of the border region.
The aim of the committee is to give a voice to regions and cities in the European Union (EU). It represents local and regional authorities across the European Union and advises on new laws that have an impact on regions and cities (70% of all EU legislation).
Speaking from his first meeting today, Cllr Murray posted: “Looking forward to a busy 5 years ahead and hoping to use this platform to highlight, whenever possible, the disparity of regional investment in Ireland, and argue for greater European funding to be directed to places like Donegal which has been forgotten by successive Irish governments.”
The committee will meet in Brussels up to six times a year to debate their opinions on proposed legislation and agree on resolutions for further action by the EU.
Cllr Murray is an alternate member of the Irish delegation, which means his visits will not be as frequent.
“But on the chances that I do get, I hope to provide a voice for those of us on the furthest edge of Europe who need to be heard,” he said.
