​​​On Friday 12 May, on the second day of the Committee of the Regions' 123rd plenary session, CoR members held a debate with the European Commissioner for Budget and Human Resources, Mr Günther Oettinger.

Mr Oettinger briefed the members on the ongoing work on the Proposal on the new Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF), due by summer next year, and in particular addressed the status of EU's cohesion policy in it. Although he admitted that some readjustments will be necessary, he committed to oppose cuts in the cohesion programmes but, at the same time, stressed the need for a simplification of procedures and a clearer demonstration of EU cohesion policy's added value.

In a passionate intervention, Mr Kieran McCarthy strongly called for a more positive narrative in the media and in the EU institutions themselves on the benefits of cohesion policy. "While everybody is talking about challenges, we must talk about opportunities", he said while insisting that the current narrative is too much oriented towards problems and shortcomings and not enough towards the benefits and prospects.

Mr McCarthy is a member of the Cork City Council (Ireland) and EA group's coordinator for the Commission for Social Policy, Education, Employment, Research and Culture (SEDEC).