On 12 February 2009, the Committee on Legal Affairs of the European Parliament approved a report drafted by Brian Crowley to extend the copyright term of music recordings from 50 years to 95 years.[7][8]
In June 2011, Crowley refused to release details of his expense and allowance claims as a member of the European Parliament.[9]
Again in July 2011, Crowley declared to Fianna Fáil party colleagues, that he was available to run for the presidency,[10] but had been advised by party colleague Fianna Fáil TD Willie O'Dea not to seek his party's nomination.[11] In the context of failure to be nominated for the presidential election by his party, Crowley withdrew his candidature for the nomination.[12][13]
From 2011 to 2013, Crowley had trouble with sores on his legs arising from his paralysis.[14] These required repeated treatment which kept him out of the public eye.[14] In July 2013, he said his health was improved and he intended to run for re-election in 2014.[14][15]
In June 2014, he joined the European Conservatives and Reformists group in the European Parliament, against the wishes of the Fianna Fáil leadership.[16] He lost the Fianna Fáil party whip on 24 June 2014.[17] Fianna Fáil stated that the principles of the ECR group were incompatible with the party.[18]
In December 2015, concerns were raised about Crowley's frequent absence from the European Parliament due to ill health.[19] A news report in May 2016 stated that Crowley had failed to attend any votes since being re-elected over two years previously.[20] In March 2018, Politico Europe included him in their list of "The 20 MEPs who matter, for the wrong reasons".[21] In June 2018, the Irish Examiner reported that Crowley had not voted in the Parliament since his re-election on 2014.[22] He did not cast a single vote in the 2014 to 2019 session.[23]
On 17 January 2019, Crowley announced at a news conference that he would not seek re-election in the European elections in May 2019, and would be retiring from public life.[24]
