Senator Mullen’s bid for EU will prioritise political transparency

Political transparency will be key to Senator Mullen’s EU bid


Áine Ryan

POLITICAL transparency and rural issues are key priorities for Senator RónΡn Mullen who is running as an Independent in the new Midlands-North-West European Parliament constituency. A native of Ahascragh, County Galway, the well-known senator spoke at a public meeting in The Welcome Inn, Castlebar last week, as part of a series of meetings he is hosting throughout the constituency.
Speaking to The Mayo News yesterday, he said: “My whole approach to politics and my campaign now for Europe is about transparency. I have also been very keen to stress my engagement with the bread-and-butter issues that affect the people of rural Ireland. With my family background in farming, I am particularly tuned into the needs of farming and rural communities. I want to get the best out of the EU and to kick-start jobs and investment in rural areas, including in towns and villages that are down the list for government.”  
He said that the main feeling he is getting from members of the public is ‘acute disappointment’ with the body politic.
“People are absolutely disappointed that politicians failed to spot what the bankers were doing and that they were not at the wheel to take action against the approaching economic collapse. They feel that politicians and the political system are still imposing suffering on them and are expressing dissatisfaction with all the political parties, not just the government ones,” he said.  
“It is usually younger people who are dissatisfied with the political system but I am finding that older people are feeling acute disappointment about emigration and unemployment,” RónΡn Mullen said yesterday.
When asked about his campaign strategy, he said: “This Midlands-North-West constituency is new for everybody and all of the sitting MEPs will be scratching their heads about devising a strategy to cover the area. I know I am up against the might, money and machine of the political parties but I have certain advantages. I have  friends and supporters in every county in the constituency.”
He observed that those people who ensured he was elected to the Senate (the NUI university graduate panel) will be mobilised to canvas throughout the constituency.
He argued that his perceived conservatism belied his broad-ranging issue-driven candidacy.
“What makes me distinctive is I am always honest about the issues and think them through. I have tons of supporters who may, or may not, agree with me on specific issues but like the fact that I think things true and express my views,” he added.
As well as his work as a senator, RónΡn Mullen lectures in Law at the Institute of Technology, Blanchardstown. and helps on the family farm in Ahascragh. He has been closely associated with the pro-life campaign.