Erris Sinn Féin local election candidate speaks at European Parliament discussion

Erris-based local election candidate Rosaleen Lally was among those who spoke at the recent two-day ‘Women in Leadership’ delegation to the European Parliament as guests of Sinn Féin MEP Chris MacManus.

Ms Lally is the National Access Programme Manager for the Irish Wheelchair Association and a Sinn Féin candidate for Belmullet in next year’s local elections.

The delegation joined a roundtable discussion in the European Parliament on gender issues. In a section entitled 'Combatting gender-based violence' the room heard from MEP Frances Fitzgerald, lead MEP negotiator for the Domestic Violence Directive and Delegate Nike Ogen, Domestic Violence Action Service and Diversity Sligo.

During a section on 'Women running for political office', Ms Lally spoke about inequality for women with disabilities and the additional challenges faced by women with disabilities in all sectors of life in Ireland.

The Irish Wheelchair Association are currently leading on a national campaign, 'Think Housing Build Accessible', calling on the government to amend the 2010 Part M of the Building Regulations to include Technical Guidance for wheelchair liveable homes.

Ms Lally stated: “The key to real independence is a home of your own, but wheelchair liveable homes are virtually impossible to rent or buy in both the private and public sector.”

She went on to speak on her decision and the challenges of putting her name forward for the local elections in the Belmullet Local Electoral Area.

Mayo-based Sinn Féin local election candidates Úna Morris and Donna Hyland were also part of the delegation.

“A united Ireland and a society where everyone is cherished equally is one of the driving forces behind my decision to go forward for the local elections 2024,” said Ms Lally.

“The lack of women councillors in Mayo County Council is an issue. Currently only two of the 30 councillors are women. We need more women at the decision-making table.”

Ms Lally is also passionate about inequality in funding for essential infrastructure in North Mayo, which she said 'has put Erris at a huge disadvantage to other parts of the county'.

“Young people in Mayo are some of the best-educated in the country, but they are leaving in droves.

We must provide opportunities and infrastructure in west Mayo to encourage our youth to return to their home place and to have opportunities to meaningful employment and housing. We have such potential and talent in Erris.

“I want to work with Deputy Rose Conway Walsh, Cllr Gerry Murray and our MEPs in Europe to harness and strive for a better future for everyone,” she concluded.

The conference concluded with an engaging Q&A session which also gave delegation members an opportunity to raise specific issues for their organisations and regions.

David Kerr from the cabinet of Commissioner Helena Dalli was also in attendance to answer questions specific to the Commission's competencies.

Speaking after the conference, Sinn Féin MEP Chris MacManus said: “It has been a very busy two days, but incredibly worthwhile. Each delegate brought something different to the table. These delegations are so vital to informing my work in the European Parliament, whilst giving civil society groups from my constituency direct access to the European institutions.

“It was great to be able to host this delegation. I feel like we have covered a lot of important issues this week. I would like to sincerely thank every delegate for their attendance and indeed my own team here in Brussels and at home for organising what was a very successful delegation.”