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 […]
Continued focus on children must be the priority for world leaders in the Middle East – MEP Maria Walsh

Latest news from the Middle East welcomed as MEPs set to debate the humanitarian crisis in Gaza Midlands-North-West MEP Maria Walsh is, this morning, welcoming news of the four-day pause in fighting. The temporary ceasefire, agreed in the last few hours, will allow much needed humanitarian aid into Gaza. It is hoped that today’s agreement […]
Ireland must be more proactive in protecting and providing for our children – MEP Maria Walsh

Investing in our children is a strategic investment for the future according to MEP Walsh, and we must provide access to key services, and ensure equal opportunities Ireland must be more proactive when it comes to protecting our children and young people, according to MEP Maria Walsh. Speaking this morning – on International Children’s Day […]
Parachute Candidate: Episode 1

Episode 1: Mari Steed – Ireland and the Magdalene Laundries Welcome to my new podcast ‘Parachute Candidate’. It’s hard to become more tolerant when too often difficult conversations are left to characters of a social media post, eroding conversations on difficult issues. The ‘us versus them’ debates is draining. On this podcast, I believe in […]
Ireland’s anti-trafficking legislation must put victims at its core – MEP Maria Walsh

As the European Parliament passes its updated Directive to combat human trafficking across Europe, Walsh is appealing to the Irish Government to protect the vulnerable victims MEP Maria Walsh is, today, calling on the Irish Government to ensure Ireland’s National Referral Mechanism for victims of human trafficking puts the most vulnerable at its core. “Today […]
Rural Ireland must not be overlooked in Budget allocations – MEP Maria Walsh

Budget 2023 failed to deliver the resources needed for regional development across rural Ireland The Government has a responsibility to invest in the future of rural Ireland, with substantial funding needed for improved infrastructure and resources for the regions. That is the message being delivered by MEP Maria Walsh, ahead of Tuesday’s Budget. The Midlands-North-West […]
Agriculture Minister must stop dragging his heels on new Vet School for the West – MEP Maria Walsh

Immediate action needed from Minister McConalogue on delivery of urgent new ATU Veterinary Medicine programme to benefit the West, according to Walsh MEP Maria Walsh is calling on the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Charlie McConalogue, to “stop dragging his heels” on the decision for a new veterinary school in the West of […]
Deal Reached On EU Pay Transparency Rules – MEP Maria Walsh

Midlands-North-West MEP Maria Walsh, in her position as a negotiator for the Employment & Social Affairs Committee in the European Parliament has today reached an agreement with EU countries to introduce binding pay-transparency measures. The pay gap between men and women within the EU currently stands at 13% according to the latest Eurostat findings. Even […]