Callan woman Kathleen Funchion has been selected as Sinn Féin candidate for the East constituency in next year’s European election.
At the Sinn Féin election convention held in the Newpark Hotel, Kilkenny city, on Tuesday September 30, Ms Funchion received the overwhelming endorsement of the South Leinster Sinn Féin members.
Present at the event were guest speakers Sinn Féin MEP Mary Lou McDonald and Sinn Féin TD for North Kerry Martin Ferris.
Ms McDonald endorsed Kathleen Funchion as the perfect European candidate and wished her well with the campaign. Martin Ferris gave a rousing rallying speech to the Party members in which he called on ‘every single member to put their shoulder to the wheel and ensure a Sinn Féin MEP is returned for the East constituency.’
Ms Funchion in her speech to the convention outlined what she envisages for the campaign and beyond. ‘We have a big challenge ahead of us. This campaign will take place against the background of a struggling economy. Job losses and cut backs in front-line public services will continue to affect our communities and dominate the media.
Basic workers rights remain unprotected with the low paid carrying the can for the government's mismanagement of the economy. Rural Ireland is crying out for balanced regional development, enterprise and employment.
Whilst all of these issues are matters for the government of this state, there can be no doubt that the EU impacts on the day-to-day lives of farmers and workers across this state. Far too often these impacts are for the worst and not the best.
During the Lisbon debate, the Yes Campaign demanded the people’s unquestioning support of the Lisbon Treaty and the future direction of Europe.
When we argued for the retention of Ireland's permanent Commissioner we were told this couldn't happen. Yet just days after the people rejected Lisbon the EU began floating the idea that we could in fact keep our commissioner.
The Lisbon Treaty also showed us what Sinn Féin can achieve when it engages with its communities on issues that are of concern to them. We need to make sure that all those who voted No to Lisbon know that we share their concerns. We will not unquestionably support all measures from Europe. We will constructively work with our European partners but our responsibility is first and foremost to the people of Ireland.
