Mullooly calls for EU funding for infrastructure in the West

European election candidate, Ciaran Mullooly, has called for backing from the European Parliament on infrastructure in the West of Ireland.

The candidate in the Midlands North-West has committed to fighting to secure EU funding to bolster infrastructure in the area.

Mr Mullooly stated that such funding will be ‘a key priority’ of his in Brussels, should he be elected, to make the West the significant player in ‘manufacturing, freight and passenger transport that everybody knows it can be’.

"It baffles me that so much focus, when it comes to Ireland’s tourism capacity, remains solely on lifting the passenger cap at Dublin airport, while regional balance is ignored," Mr Mullooly said.

Key infrastructure projects, such as the Atlantic Rail Corridor and improvements to Ireland West Airport Knock, are what the Independent Ireland MEP sees as a matter of urgency.

He continued: "If we are serious about wanting the West to become a viable manufacturing hub and, generally, a viable place to invest and do business, we must match this ambition with action.”

Furthermore, Mr Mullooly addressed the Green Party, who he said seem to be ‘more obsessed with virtue signalling, greenwashing public debate and penalising rural dwellers more than they are in actually providing the infrastructure required to reduce vehicle dependency in rural Ireland’.

Acknowledging the significant funding Ireland West Airport Knock has already received from the EU, Friday’s European election candidate stated: “Knock Airport, as it was known when I was a young lad, received a £1.3 million grant from the EU to assist with its initial development, and it has received numerous EU co-funded investments over the intervening years."

Mr Mullooly concluded: "With more strategic investments, we can ensure Ireland West Airport Knock and the Atlantic Rail Corridor become the foundation of the West’s transport network, driving economic growth and providing critical connections for both people and goods."