Find out how Fiona spends her week

Monday

It's that time again, Strasbourg plenary week! The highlight of my train journey from Brussels to Strasbourg this month is the ‘winter wonderland’ white covering of frost on the fields and trees. In the afternoon the regular pre-plenary meeting of the ALDE (European Libs and Dems) group took place against the background of a noisy and pointless demonstration by Dockers protesting against the ports services directive, a piece of legislation that that most MEPs, me included, had already agreed to reject. Unfortunately some of the demonstrators turned violent and caused serious damage to the parliament building and injured policemen.

Tuesday

This morning started with a meeting in my office of the three North East England MEPs (myself, Stephen Hughes and Martin Callanan) to discuss the issue of the ALCAN smelting plant at Lynemouth and the need to exempt it from the large combustion plants directive. This is the first time that all three of us have lobbied together on a North East issue and I'm pleased to have facilitated the co-operation. We met with Commissioner Dimas (Environment) to put the case forward but the outcome was less positive than we had hoped. We also took the opportunity to raise an issue Stephen has been working on - sewage discharge at Seaham. I then had a chance to speak to two of the Lib Dem leadership candidates: I want to speak to them all before I make my decision. Later on I had meetings with individual MEPs to discuss amendments on a report I’m working on about Heating and Cooling from renewable energy sources, before presenting our group line to all the ALDE MEPs on the ITRE (Industry, Research and Energy) committee. After the various discussions we were all able to agree on the compromise texts I had negotiated with the other main political groups.

Wednesday

The day started with a presentation from the Austrian Chancellor, Wolfgang Schüssel, on the aims of the Austrian Presidency of the EU. I was pleased to hear that energy issues were high on their agenda. At a special ITRE (Industry, Research and Energy) committee meeting with the Energy Commissioner Piebalgs, I asked him what the Commission intended to do to alleviate problems with the supply of gas to the UK from mainland Europe. He asked for full details and agreed look into it.

Thursday

There was a long voting session today this included votes bringing in new rules to prevent MEPs disrupting debates and hindering the parliament functioning. I tied up loose ends in the afternoon before the long train journey back to Brussels and votes on a report developing ideas on what to do with the ill-fated European constitution following the 'no' results in the French and Dutch referendums. Personally, I believe it is necessary for us to start afresh and concentrate on those measures for which there is wide-ranging support in all member states and across the political spectrum.

Friday

Today was a sad day as I said goodbye to my PA, Kathryne Wray in Durham. Kathryne has been with me since I was elected. I will miss her a lot but wish her all the best with her new job at Durham University.