European election candidate in the Midlands-North-West, Deputy Barry Cowen, hosted the first in a series of ‘Why Europe Matters’ town hall meetings in the Shamrock Lodge Hotel Athlone.
Deputy Cowen received a warm welcome at the venue during which he discussed his European campaign, highlighting the priorities of agriculture and food production, energy, tax and innovation.
Deputy Cowen was joined on the night by specialist guest speakers, including farmer and former IFA deputy president Brian Rushe, and Oliver O’Connor, the Chief Executive of the Irish Pharmaceutical Healthcare Association (IPHA ). Paul Concannon, Senior Design and Engineering Manager with Corio Generation completed the line-up, while the meeting was chaired by local Fianna Fáil Deouty, Robert Troy.
“It was a hugely successful night in Athlone as we delved into a number of key issues which I hope to be given the opportunity to tackle in Europe, with great engagement from the local community and questions on the importance of maintaining our competitive tax regime.
“Corporate tax receipts account for €23.8bn annually and any changes to that would have a massive impact on communities like Athlone and across the Midlands and North West constituency, a region which hosts a number of international companies.
“I’d like to thank local Deouty Robert Troy and my guest speakers, who offered their insightful analysis, which was reflective of what I want to achieve in relation to my top priorities of food sustainability, energy security and renewables, specially offshore wind, as well as tax and innovation if I am elected to European Parliament on June 7.
“Special thanks to everyone who made the effort to come to the Shamrock Lodge Hotel and contribute on the night,” Deputy Cowen stated.
