“The continuing underrepresentation of the new member states in the European institutions could undermine citizens’ confidence that the EU is truly understand understand the realities across the entire European Union.” This was stated by the Bulgarian MEP from the Group of the Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats Kristian Vigenin during the hearing of Thomas Byrne, Ireland’s Minister for European Affairs, before the European Parliament’s Committee on Constitutional Affairs (AFCO). The hearing focused on the priorities of the Irish Presidency of the Council of the EU.

In his remarks, Vigenin noted that one of the priorities of the Irish Presidency is addressing the issue of geographical imbalances among staff in the European Union institutions. According to him, , however, the issue goes beyond ensuring fair access to positions for all nationalities: “It is also about ensuring that the experience and perspectives of newer and smaller Member States are adequately represented in the European administration.”

Vigenin asked what specific measures the Irish Presidency plans to take to improve the geographical balance while preserving the principles of merit-based selection, professional independence, and equal standards for all candidates.

In response, Ireland’s Minister for European Affairs, Thomas Byrne, acknowledged that certain Member States are underrepresented in some European Union institutions and agencies. He emphasized that Ireland has for years been pursuing a targeted national policy to encourage its citizens to work in European institutions and is already seeing positive results. According to him, all member states can take similar measures, as it is important for the views of all EU countries to be represented in the European administration.