New EU rules passed to help the 3,000 hidden victims of human trafficking in Ireland – MEP Walsh

The final vote on the EU’s Anti-Trafficking Directive was passed by the European Parliament today and will help uncover the true extent of the human trafficking industry in Ireland, MEP Maria Walsh has said. MEP Walsh was amongst a group of MEPs that wrote the Revision to the EU’s Anti-Trafficking Directive aimed at strengthening protections […]
MEP Maria Walsh welcomes An Taoiseach’s commitment to establishing new Veterinary College

MEP Maria Walsh welcomes An Taoiseach Simon Harris’ recent commitment to the creation of new Veterinary Colleges, and reiterates her calls for the establishment of one in the West of Ireland in conjunction with Atlantic Technological University (ATU). In June 2023, the Government cleared the way for the creation of three new veterinary schools. ATU, […]
TikTok is abdicating its duty to protect the mental health of vulnerable teenagers – MEP Maria Walsh

TikTok is abdicating its responsibility to protect young people as the platform’s algorithms actively highlight graphic content on depression, self-harm and suicide to vulnerable minors, MEP Maria Walsh has said. MEP Walsh is one of the leading voices on mental health in the European Parliament. Over the past five years, she has worked closely with President […]
Door is open in Brussels for West of Ireland businesses – MEP Maria Walsh

During a recent visit to the European Parliament in Brussels, doors were opened for Irish businesses from across the Midlands-North West constituency, MEP Maria Walsh has said. MEP Walsh hosted a group of business owners from across the West of Ireland in the European Parliament where they discussed the resources and supports available to Irish […]
Additional funding for tillage sector a much needed first step – MEP Maria Walsh

Additional funding for the tillage sector of €100/ha is a much needed first step to support tillage farmers through a difficult period, MEP Maria Walsh has said. With almost 10,000 farms across Ireland growing crops, the tillage sector is a vital part of Irish agriculture. Maria Walsh, MEP for Midlands-North West said: “I welcome confirmation […]
Sinn Féin’s rhetoric on migration akin to language used during Brexit vote – MEP Walsh

Sinn Féin’s Eurosceptic colours came to the fore once again this week as they failed to support the EU’s landmark migration policy and used language last heard during the UK Brexit debate, MEP Maria Walsh has said. The EU Pact on Migration and Asylum was passed by the European Parliament yesterday. All five Fine Gael […]
Long-overdue EU Pact will ensure firm, fair and efficient migration in Ireland – MEP Walsh

The EU Migration Pact, due to be passed in the European Parliament today, will bring about landmark changes for the Irish migration system, MEP Maria Walsh has said. The EU Pact on Migration and Asylum will reduce the number of asylum applications Ireland has to process, decrease the time people spend in State provided accommodation […]
MEP Maria Walsh welcomes the Fine Gael Ard Fheis to Galway City

Fine Gael MEP Maria Walsh welcomes Party members to the West of Ireland as the Fine Gael Ard Fheis takes place in Galway today. Speaking at the Ard Fheis this evening, MEP Walsh is expected to say: “The transition from Rose of Tralee to MEP was not the most traditional route into politics, but after […]
Midlands-North West farmers must be supported in face of weather challenges – Maria Walsh MEP

Farmers across Midlands-North West must be supported in the face of weather conditions that are creating significant pressures on farms, MEP Maria Walsh has said. A difficult autumn in 2023 and persistent rain this spring have delayed livestock turnout, disrupted spring plantings, and caused difficulties with other fieldwork. MEP Maria Walsh said: “Right now, weather […]
Maria Walsh Midlands North-West European Selection Convention Speech 2024

On Sunday the 24th of March, I stood before Fine Gael members in Athlone and asked for their support in my re-election campaign to the European Parliament. It’s hard to believe 5 years has passed since I stood for election in 2019. Over the past five years, I have worked hard, but more importantly, I […]