Plenary opening: Schulz warns against attempts to disrupt Northern Ireland peace process

All sides in the Northern Ireland peace process should refrain from “dangerous mutual provocation” urged European Parliament President Martin Schulz in his opening address at the October plenary session.

Schulz urged all parties to the Northern Ireland peace process to continue contributing to a peaceful solution and thus to the new round of talks launched on 16 October. He said that the European Parliament is willing to act as an honest broker to support the process of building stable institutions and a thriving economy, so that all the people of Northern Ireland can look forward to a safe and prosperous future.

EFDD group

Schulz informed MEPs that the Europe of Freedom and Direct Democracy Group (EFDD) had lost its status as a European Parliament political group on Thursday 16 October, when Latvian MEP Iveta Grigule officially left the EFDD. Her departure left EFDD one EU country short of the minimum of seven from which it needs members in order to form an official European Parliament group.
For a new group to be formed, MEPs from a minimum of seven countries need to sign up individually to that group, said Schulz, referring to Parliament's Rules of Procedure.

Agenda changes

Tuesday (21 October) – the first draft amending budget for 2014 will be debated before the draft budget for 2015.

Wednesday - the third item in the debate with the foreign policy High Representative will be the death sentence imposed on Asia Bibi in Pakistan.

Incoming MEPs

Linnéa ENGSTRÖM (Greens/EFA, SE), as of 8 October 2014
Outgoing MEPs

Isabella Lövin (Greens/EFA, SE) as of 8 October 2014