Maria Walsh gets resounding endorsement from Minister Ring

THE Minister for Rural and Community Development, has said that Maria Walsh, who has been selected as Fine Gael candidate in the European election in May, has everything it takes to be an excellent public representative.

Minister Ring nominated Maria Walsh at the Fine Gael European selection convention in Mullingar on at which both Maria and Mairead McGuinness MEP were selected as candidates by the party.

Minister Ring said: “I was proud to nominate Maria at the Fine Gael selection convention and I did so with absolute conviction. She is someone who I have gotten to know and whom I have been extremely impressed by.

“I see in her an extremely talented, intelligent and driven young woman with an innate desire to represent and support her community. She is passionate about mental health, diversity, inclusion, women’s rights and working to improve young people’s lives and I have no doubt that Maria will prove an excellent public representative.

“As Rose of Tralee she was a superb representative for her country both at home and abroad. I am delighted that Maria has put her name forward for the European election and I urge people to vote for her. Politics needs more people like her.

“Maria’s candidacy will complement that of Mairead McGuinness MEP, a superb Fine Gael representative who is based in the east of the constituency.

With these two candidates in place, I believe Fine Gael has a wonderful offering to the voters of the Midlands-North West constituency.”

In her address, she stated: “Everywhere I go, I meet people of all ages with the same hopes and concerns, none more so than the Brexit challenges faced by Ireland and the EU. As we all know, this is a critical time for our country and Europe.

“There are powerful conversations taking place in communities right across the country about our future in the EU with or without our near neighbour and friend, the UK, and the challenges that it presents for our economy; for our trade and for our agriculture sector.

“Indeed, this is about how Brexit will affect each and every one of us. This is about protecting regional economies such as in the Midlands North-West; this is about jobs, people’s livelihoods and ensuring our young people have the opportunity to stay and work in their country. It’s about protecting the hard-won peace process which brought an end to decades of bloody conflict.

“I believe we have a lot to be thankful for being part of the European Union. We must all remember that Rural Ireland is benefiting in many ways from funding coming direct from Europe. And I thank Minister Ring who has shown he is a great champion of rural communities.

“Whether it be tourism developments, regeneration projects or training programmes, the EU is playing a vital role for many communities.”