"We were geographically well placed”

Despite many pundits predicting she wouldn’t make it, outgoing MEP, Maria Walsh, held her seat comfortably in the European Elections. In a great result in the constituency for Fine Gael, in the crowded fiive seat Midlands North West constituency, the Shrule woman polled a total of 71,476 first preferences and was elected on the 21st count. Walsh’s total vote was 100,781 and she was elected without reaching the quota.

"I'm really delighted with the first preference," Walsh told The Mayo News, “indeed all the votes. The transfers were amazing and it’s great to retain the seat and increase the first preference votes from the 2019 election.”

Walsh attributed this success to the collective efforts of her party, immediate team, family, friends, and volunteers who have supported her throughout her public service career, since her Rose of Tralee days.

Walsh highlighted the effective campaign strategy that she and her running mate, Meath’s Nina Carberry implemented, which resulted in the pair having a near identical vote throughout the various counts. Carberry was just under 2,000 votes behind Walsh at the end of the lengthy process.

"We were geographically well placed in terms of covering the east and the west," she said. "Our messaging was really clear. We want to represent the European Union, our constituency, and do so in a pro-European way, and I think that really resonated with everybody."

She also pointed out the importance of their personal profiles and how being transfer-friendly benefited their campaign. "Historically and culturally, women do better in transfers. We are also seen as likeable characters who lead with great integrity," Walsh added.

Regarding future infrastructural improvements in the West of Ireland, Walsh emphasised the importance of the Western Rail Corridor project and securing funding for local councils and regional assemblies. "It's incredibly important that happens because if we're making money available in Europe, they need to draw down from it. We need to strengthen those ties," she asserted.

Walsh outlined her priorities for the next five years, focusing on several key areas: “Supporting female entrepreneurs is crucial, as 60 percent of small towns and businesses in this constituency are led by women, yet they're often cut out of funding streams. I'm a big advocate for positive mental health and delivering a mental health strategy will continue to be a political priority for me."

Walsh said she grew up on a farm and that farming was close to her heart: "As we develop the next Common Agricultural Policy, fighting to keep our derogation is important. I'll be sharing my experiences and working closely with farmers, particularly in the West."

Reflecting on the election results and future challenges, Walsh acknowledged the need for greater female representation in politics: "We have a challenge of a 40 percent quota for the next general election, but we didn't make the 30 percent here across the councils. We need to change that, and it's down to voters and representatives like myself to build towards that goal."

Walsh was one of four Mayo-based women contesting the election. Fianna Fail’s Lisa Chambers captured 44,069 first preference votes. Saoirse McHugh who ran as an Independent this time having contested the 2019 ballot for the Green Party, got 18,976, with another independent, Michelle Smith claiming 6,713 on the first round. Independent, Luke ‘Ming’ Flanagan, Barry Cowan (FF) and Ciaran Mullooly (Independent Ireland,) were the other elected.