Europe's newly elected MEPs make their way to Brussels

Of the 751 MEPs whose mandate will run for the next five years, 371 are new to Parliament. Among them is Brian Hayes, an Irish member of the EPP group. Prior to taking up office in the European Parliament, the 44-year-old Dubliner sat in both houses of the Irish Parliament. In 2011 he became minister of state at Ireland's finance department.Also recently arrived is Mercedes Bresso, an Italian member of the S&D group. In 2010 Bresso - who turns 70 next month - was elected as the first female president of the Committee of the Regions. She also served as president of the Piedmont region and as a university professor in economics, most recently at Turin Polytechnic.

BRIAN HAYES

What are your first impressions of Brussels and the Parliament?

My first impression is the size. However I have some advantage as I have been to Parliament quite regularly over the last three years on behalf of the Irish government. People are also very friendly and helpful to new members, which is really encouraging.

What are your favourite pastimes while not working?

I love both golf and tennis. I also enjoy walking quickly!

Who are your heroes from world history or from the current day?

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Daniel O’Connell who brought about Catholic emancipation and who showed that non-violent parliamentary politics could succeed. I also greatly admire Winston Churchill for the bravery he showed in standing up to fascism.

Which issues would you most like to address in your work as an MEP?

Completing the challenge of the banking union and making sure that new credit lines are opened to small and medium-sized businesses across Europe. We need to learn best practice when it comes to the reforms of our public administration systems. But the number one priority must be to tackle head on the scandal of youth unemployment and to reduce the unacceptable level of long-term unemployment. This must be the focus of all EU institutions.

People desperately want to see the social market economy here in Europe, based on a pro-enterprise culture, improved competitiveness and high-level skills and innovation. Without progress on these issues the centre ground in Europe will continue to shrink as more aggressive and neo-nationalist forces take hold in our politics.

MERCEDES BRESSO

What are your first impressions of Brussels and the Parliament?

I’ve been working between Brussels and Italy since 2004. It’s a city I know and love for its lively and multicultural dimension. That is why I own a house here and I’m happy to live in the capital of the European Union. My husband is French and I deeply feel that I am a European citizen.

What are your favourite pastimes while not working?

I love reading, swimming and travelling. I’m an inveterate reader and I also write books. My favourite writers are Jorge Luis Borges, Marguerite Yourcenar and Italo Calvino. When it comes to economics I appreciate the work of Joseph Stiglitz and Nicholas Georgescu-Roegen.

Who are your heroes from world history or from the current day?

The European founding fathers Jacques Delors and Altiero Spinelli. And the political thinkers Carlo Rosselli, Carlo Cattaneo and Alexis de Tocqueville.

Which issues would you most like to address in your work as an MEP?

I want to rebuild the trust between citizens and institutions. I believe in a shift of competences. More important competences should go to the EU - foreign affairs, defence, and finance - with less important competences at local level following the principle of subsidiarity. The final target is to create a confederal state.