Sitting MEP Maria Walsh is bidding for a second term in the European Parliament, having officially launched her re-election campaign this week.
MEP Walsh’s campaign was launched by Minister for Rural Development and Social Protection and Fine Gael Deputy Leader, Heather Humphreys on Monday during an event at which Ministers Alan Dillon and Hildegarde Naughton, Deputy Michael Ring and former MEP Jim Higgins were also in attendance.
MEP Walsh was joined by friends and family, Fine Gael members from across the Midlands-North West, Councillors, Senators and local election candidates.
“Nobody will be surprised to hear that the transition from Rose of Tralee to MEP was not the most traditional route into politics, but after five years in the European Parliament, I have a strong track record to share.
“As a farmer myself, I understand the challenges faced by small family farms in the West of Ireland. As an MEP, I have worked hard to protect the incomes of our young farmers, our female farmers and our hardworking family farmers - to ensure financial viability into the future for the next generation of farmers.
“Over the past five years, I have campaigned day in and day out to put mental health on the European political agenda. Death by suicide is the second leading cause of death for our young people in the EU. To combat this crisis, I have worked closely with President Ursula Von der Leyen to ensure mental health is accounted for across EU policy.
Speaking about the importance of the upcoming elections, the sitting MEP asserted the need for politicians who stand for the truth and are not afraid to face it.
“As a country, we currently find ourselves at a crossroads and June 7th will be telling of the future we want for our State. We face a choice, in particular at a European level, between populism and division, or pragmatism and compassion.
“We need politicians who are balanced, sensible and committed to the institutions they serve and crucially, we need politicians who are focused on truly delivering for their constituents,” Mep Walsh concluded.
