MEP Maria Walsh launches re-election campaign

SITTING MEP Maria Walsh has officially launched her campaign to retain her seat in the European Parliament.

Speaking at the launch at the TF Royal Hotel on Monday evening, the Fine Gael MEP said that Europe faced a choice between ‘populism and division, or pragmatism and compassion’ in the upcoming elections. 

The former Rose of Tralee said that she had been ‘a strong voice for the West’ since being elected in 2019. 

She said she had developed ‘a strong track record’ in Europe, which included campaigning for young farmers, mental health, pyrite and mica redress, a veterinary college in ATU and EU funding for the Western Rail Corridor. 

“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,” the Shrule woman said.

“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.”

Senior Fine Gael figures, including Mayo TDs Michael Ring and Alan Dillon, were among those who attended the campaign launch. 

_{MEP Maria Walsh pictured with Michael Ring TD, Minister Heather Humphreys TD, Minister Alan Dillon TD and Minister Hildegarde Naughton TD} 

MEP Walsh’s campaign was launched by Minister for Rural Development and Social Protection, and Fine Gael Deputy Leader, Heather Humphreys.

“As a country, we currently find ourselves at a crossroads and June 7 will be telling of the future we want for our State," Ms Walsh said.

"We face a choice, in particular at a European level, between populism and division, or pragmatism and compassion. Now more than ever, we need politicians who stand for the truth and aren’t afraid to face it. 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.”

Ms Walsh is running against three other Mayo women in the Midlands North-West constituency; Fianna Fail’s Lisa Chambers and Independents Michelle Smith and Saoirse McHugh. 

Other candidates running in the five-seat constituency include incumbent MEPs Luke Ming Flanagan and Sinn Féin’s Chris MacManus.

Former presidential candidate Peter Casey will also be running as an Independent, as well as Green Party candidate Senator Pauline O’Reilly, former jockey Nina Carberry (Fine Gael) and Sinn Féin MP Michelle Gildernew MP.