FIONA Connolly flew the flag for Mid-West businesses on a recent visit to the European Parliament of Enterprises (EPE) in Brussels.
Fiona, who is general manager of Lyons of Limerick and a member Limerick Chamber, was invited to join the Chambers Ireland delegation on a trip to the European Parliament of Enterprises (EPE) in Brussels.
The EPE provided delegates from 45 European countries with an opportunity to debate the issues which face companies across the continent.
The event allows business people from all over Europe to become members of the European Parliament of Enterprises (MEPEs) for one day and get a unique look at how one of the most powerful bodies in the world goes about their decision making process.
Debates and voting sessions took place throughout the trip centring on the issues of internationalisation, skills, finance and energy.
Ms Connolly, Network Ireland Business Woman of the Year, said it was a privilege to be part of the Irish delegation and to represent SMEs in the Mid-West. According to Fiona, being a ‘member’ of the European Parliament was hugely insightful.
“Not only did I get to participate in the debating and voting of some crucial topics, I also had the opportunity to engage with international media, policy makers and numerous companies across Europe, to have a voice for small business represented,” she enthused.
Ms Connolly also believes that businesses in Ireland have absorbed massive economic shocks over the last few years and don’t need more “crippling” European legislation.
“There was a massive call from all the businesses in the Hemicycle for streamlining of any future legislation to ensure no additional burdens on SMEs, and I called for European Investment in R&D in the energy sector to stimulate innovation to ensure the security of a safe and sustainable energy supply for businesses locally,” she concluded.
