Find out how Fiona spends her week

Monday 6th March

Monday is often a good day for fitting in meetings with organisations outside the Parliament. Today I met with the UK Construction Product Association, who came to lobby me on the Green Paper on Energy Efficiency that I am working on in Industry, Research and Energy Committee (ITRE). Later I met with a representative from the European Commission who works in EU relations with the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). I am concerned about the high death rate in the DRC, worse than in some famine situations, and wanted to discuss the lack of international aid available to improve this situation.

Tuesday 7th March

Sometimes North East firms approach me when they are concerned about the effects on their business of particular EU legislation. Today I met a representative from the aluminium industry. Later I had a meeting with my UK Liberal Democrat MEP colleagues, which was followed by a meeting with my Liberal colleagues from all member states in ALDE (my 'political group'). We meet to discuss controversial reports that will be coming up in next week's plenary session and decide how we will vote.

Wednesday 8th March

Today the meeting with my political group in the European Parliament continued. In many countries of Europe 8th March is known as Women's Day. It is a day on which all women are celebrated- a bit similar to our Mother's Day, but all women are included. To mark the day, the European Women's Energy Club held a meeting in Brussels on the 'Liberalisation of European Energy Market'. I spoke about the effects of liberalisation in Britain - for instance, being able to chose your gas and electricity supplier.

Thursday 9th March

A day in the North East to catch up with business in my constituency office in Durham. I had staff appraisals with my new caseworker, Judith, and my PA, Alison.

Friday 10th March

A busy day in the North East - and my car broke down! First was a meeting at Stella House, the HQ of development agency ONE NE, to discuss work to help businesses in the region get European research funding. On the way down to Newcastle an ominous red light appeared on the dashboard, so after the meeting I was escorted by the RAC to a garage, then rescued by a trusty friend who chauffeured me for the next meetings. First with the editor of the South Shields Gazette, part of the regular contact I try to maintain with the press in the region, then back up to Northumberland to talk to a constituent seeking funding to restart a rail service from Belford. Finally it was the bus back down the A1 to Alnwick and a pleasant 'European' evening with local Lib Dems - lots of tasty continental delicacies!