New EU Media Freedom Act will fight against rise of misinformation and protect Irish journalists – MEP Maria Walsh

The European Media Freedom Act (EMFA), passed by the European Parliament today, will fight against the rise of misinformation, promote media diversity and protect journalists’ rights in Ireland, Fine Gael MEP Maria Walsh has said. The EMFA is a historic piece of legislation, as it will set the first ever EU-level rules on media freedom, […]
MEP Maria Walsh calls for the creation of first ever EU Female Founders’ Fund

The Fine Gael MEP is calling on the European Investment Fund to eradicate the gender credit gap that exists for female-owned businesses Fine Gael MEP Maria Walsh is calling for the creation of a Female Founders’ Fund, the first of its kind EU investment fund dedicated to providing private equity and venture capital funding to […]
Credit Union set to become key provider of community banking across Midlands-North West – MEP Maria Walsh

New legislation will allow credit unions to expand their membership and services across the Midlands-North West, a Fine Gael MEP has said. MEP Maria Walsh was speaking following the official commencement of the Credit Union Amendment Act 2023, new legislation aimed at bringing about significant reforms for the Credit Union sector in Ireland. “Credit Unions […]
Damning UNICEF reports reinforced MEP Maria Walsh’s campaign for EU Mental Health Strategy

The UNICEF report, ‘The State of Children in the European Union’, published today reinforces the need for a dedicated EU Mental Health Strategy, Fine Gael MEP Maria Walsh has said. Approximately 13% of young people under the age of 19 in the EU suffer from a mental health condition – with the statistic rising to […]
Double YES vote in referendums will finally recognise care and all families in Midlands-North West – MEP Maria Walsh

Voting yes for care and yes for family in the March 8th referendums will ensure an Irish constitution which is modern and inclusive, recognising all families and supporting the care families give to one another, Fine Gael MEP Maria Walsh has said. On 8th March 2024, International Women’s Day, those in the Midlands-North West and across […]
Over €3.5 million to support rural third-level campuses across Midlands North-West – MEP Walsh

Atlantic Technological University (ATU), Technological University of the Shannon (TUS) and University of Galway will all benefit from the new fund ATU is set to receive over €2.6 million, while TUS and University of Galway will receive €690,000 and €230,000 respectively as part of a new fund announced today, according to Fine Gael MEP Maria […]
Parachute Candidate: Episode 4

In episode four of Parachute Candidate, I speak with Dr. Gladys Ganiel, Professor of Sociology at Queen’s University. Gladys was born in the United States and has called Island of Ireland home since 1999. Her work has been predominantly focused on religion, in particular the role of religion in conflict specifically in Northern Ireland, the […]
Farming community must ensure they tend to their mental health – MEP Maria Walsh

With suicide ideation twice as high among the farming community as in the general population, it’s time we addressed the silent and heartbreaking pandemic, says MEP Walsh Farming communities across rural Ireland are being urged to ensure they are tending to more than their land and livestock this Christmas, with suicide ideation twice as high […]
Parachute Candidate: Episode 3

In episode three I speak with Senior Research Fellow in the School of Engineering and Architecture at the University of Cork – Dr. Niall Dunphy In addition to his work in UCC, Niall also serves as the Director of the Cleaner Production Promotion Unit, which is a multidisciplinary research group working on sustainability. Niall delivers […]
Parachute Candidate: Episode 2

Episode 2: Katriona O’Sullivan – Author of “Poor” In episode two of Parachute Candidate, I speak with Senior Lecturer of Maynooth University and alumni of Trinity College – Dr. Katriona O’Sullivan. In our frank and honest conversation, Katriona shares her experience of growing up with both parents dependent on drugs and in extreme poverty. She […]