EU Generational Renewal Strategy lacks bite without binding targets – MEP Maria Walsh
Fine Gael MEP says EU must commit to mandatory funding targets for young farmers Funding targets within the European Commission’s new Generational Renewal Strategy must be made mandatory if young farmers are to have hope for the future, a Fine Gael MEP has said. The strategy, published today by European Commissioner for Agriculture Christophe Hansen, […]
Gender Equality Committee passes MEP Maria Walsh’s proposals to end period poverty
MEPs have voted to support Maria Walsh’s proposals to increase EU support for ending period poverty, in line with her recently published ‘Plan for Periods’ strategy. MEP Maria Walsh is a full member of the European Parliament’s Gender Equality and Women’s Rights (FEMM) Committee and published the ‘Plans for Periods’ strategy to end menstrual poverty […]
Sinn Féin vote against unlocking €170bn of Russian assets for Ukrainian aid- MEP Maria Walsh
Sinn Féin have voted against a key European proposal to use frozen Russian assets to fund much-needed support for Ukraine, a Fine Gael MEP has said. MEP Maria Walsh voted in favour of the proposal in Strasbourg today which would unlock financing of more than €170 billion for the Ukrainian resistance against Russia. 416 MEPs […]
European Parliament votes to increase payments for small farmers and introduce new young farmer grant – MEP Maria Walsh
Sinn Féin MEPs support simplifying CAP at home but vote against it in Europe The European Parliament has voted to increase CAP payment supports for young and small farmers, a Fine Gael MEP has said. Maria Walsh MEP is a full member of the European Parliament’s Agriculture Committee and has welcomed these changes which she […]
MEP Maria Walsh makes case for retention of Irish nitrates derogation with Commissioner Roswall
Fine Gael MEP Maria Walsh today met with the Commissioner responsible for granting Ireland’s nitrates derogation to make the case for its retention on behalf of Irish farmers. MEP Maria Walsh is a full member of the European Parliament’s Agriculture Committee and met with Commissioner Jessika Roswall who is responsible for Environment, Water Resilience and […]
Commission must protect Irish fishing sector against proposed 70% mackerel quota cut – MEP Maria Walsh
Fine Gael MEP Maria Walsh has written to the European Commission demanding that Ireland’s fishing quotas are not cut in the wake of a damning scientific report. The International Council for the Exploration of the Sea (ICES), whose scientific advice is used by the EU to set fishing quotas, has recommended a 70% reduction in […]
Inheritance tax threshold for farm succession should be increased in Budget 2026 – MEP Maria Walsh
Budget 2026 should include changes to the inheritance tax system to facilitate easier land transfer within farm families, a Fine Gael MEP has said. MEP Maria Walsh is a full member of the European Parliament’s Agriculture Committee and is calling on the Government to end the inequitable tax regime which penalises farmers without children. Maria […]
MEP Maria Walsh elected Vice-President of new EPP Farmers’ Group
Fine Gael MEP Maria Walsh has been elected Vice-President of the newly established EPP Farmers’ Group, a key new platform which will play a central role in shaping agriculture policy in the EU. The Group brings together MEPs, national politicians and farming organisations under the banner of the largest political force in the European Parliament. […]
MEP Maria Walsh organises meeting for Irish seafood sector with EU Fisheries Commissioner
MEP Maria Walsh facilitated a meeting between key members of the Irish fishing sector and the European Commissioner for Fisheries Costas Kadis in Brussels this week. Members of the Irish Seafood Alliance, including Fine Gael Senator Manus Boyle, met with Commissioner Kadis and MEP Walsh to discuss the ongoing challenges facing the Irish fishing sector. […]
MEP Maria Walsh secures commitment from European Commission to reinstate key EU equality law
After months of lobbying by MEP Maria Walsh, the European Commission has reversed its decision to remove a key EU equality law and will reinstate it as a 2025 policy priority. MEP Walsh is the lead negotiator for the EPP, the European Parliament’s largest political group, on the Horizontal Anti-Discrimination Directive. Following a decision by […]