Plum EU job of ‘Quaestor’ handed to Northwest MEP (July 16th, 2009)
July 16, 2009 at 10:25 am Leave a comment
The title ‘Quaestor’ sounds like it should belong more in a Lord of the Rings film than in the European Parliament, but that is exactly the role assigned to Mayo MEP Jim Higgins this week. The Fine Gael MEP is one of just six new Quaestors elected by over 700 MEPs at a vote in Strasbourg.
The key to understanding what a Quaestor does lies in the origin of the word, which was first used to describe public officials in ancient Rome. ‘I suppose the term itself is quite grandiose, but in layman’s language it effectively means you are the shop steward representing the administrative and financial interests of all the MEPs,’ said Mr Higgins. A key function of the Quaestors is to interpret the Members’ Statute – a piece of legislation which sets out the rights, pensions, salaries and allowances for all MEPs.
The Northwest MEP said he was ‘very flattered’ to have been chosen for the job, but that he is determined it will not diminish his contributions to shaping EU legislation and representing his constituents. ‘Quaestors get an additional staff member and facilities, so I will be able to focus fully on my work as a member of the Fisheries Committee and the Transport and Tourism Committee,’ he said.
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