More women in tech will be catalyst in helping Irish companies thrive in digital era – MEP Maria Walsh

Women remain underrepresented in Ireland’s tech industry and must be encouraged and supported to embrace upskilling and reskilling opportunities Skills shortages have become a critical challenge in the technology sector in Ireland and strategies need to be introduced to enhance the skills needed for the workforce to thrive in the digital era. The path to […]
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 […]
Women’s safety must be a priority in Budget 2024 – MEP Maria Walsh

Calling on the Finance Minister to provide funding for additional domestic abuse refuge centres, MEP Walsh said the women of Ireland must feel safe and protected. MEP Maria Walsh is appealing to the Minister for Finance to protect vulnerable women all over Ireland by ensuring substantial funding is ring fenced for additional refuge centres and […]
10 percent of overall Health Budget must be dedicated to mental health services – MEP Maria Walsh

Budget 2024 must urgently address mental health, increase spend to services, and help tackle Ireland’s silent pandemic IRELAND: Fine Gael MEP Maria Walsh is calling on the Minister for Finance, Michael McGrath, to dramatically increase Ireland’s mental health spend in next week’s Budget. Minister McGrath will unveil the details of Budget 2024 on Tuesday next, […]
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 […]
Education is key to the future of agriculture and farming in rural Ireland – MEP Maria Walsh

Farming must be presented as a viable and attractive career to encourage more young people to get involved Education is key to the future of agriculture and farming in rural Ireland. That was the message delivered by MEP Maria Walsh, when she addressed graduates of the Teagasc Green Certificate in Balla Community Centre on Friday […]
Government must acknowledge changes needed in our healthcare services and policies around mental health – MEP Maria Walsh

The time for small talk is over: policy and policy makers must be kept in line with the urgency of mental health and Ireland’s silent pandemic The Government must acknowledge the changes we need in our healthcare services and policies in all sectors if we are to truly care for, protect and discuss the mental […]
Gender based abuse and harassment is an increasing barrier to women’s political participation – MEP Maria Walsh

Speaking at this afternoon’s ‘Different Perspectives’ event organized by Ibec, MEP Walsh said gender quotas should be extended to local elections It is crucial that women are placed as candidates in winnable seats, and with adequate time and resources to plan and run successful election campaigns. That was the message delivered by MEP Maria Walsh […]
Addressing suicidal ideation among farming community is just as important as physical farm safety – MEP Walsh

Ireland and Europe must introduce a mental health strategy for the farming community to address the silent pandemic, with almost a quarter of Irish farmers at risk of suicide IRELAND: Ireland must introduce a specific mental health strategy to address the silent pandemic that is casting a shadow across the farming community in rural Ireland. […]