Lisa's deep knowledge of EU affairs gives her key advantage

by CAOIMHÍN ROWLAND

FIANNA Fáil’s Lisa Chambers is ramping up her campaign with June’s elections fast approaching.

She aims to bring her substantial EU experience to the forefront while out canvassing for votes.

Despite being added to the party’s ticket late in the race, and finishing below Niall Blaney and Barry Cowen during the party’s selection convention, Chambers is determined to secure a seat in the European Parliament, leveraging her almost decade-long involvement in EU affairs at national level.

Chambers, currently the European spokesperson for Fianna Fáil, sets herself apart from fellow Mayo candidate and sitting MEP Maria Walsh by highlighting her extensive background.

"I’ve almost a decade serving on EU-focused briefs, I was the lead opposition spokesperson on Brexit, and I’m currently the European spokesperson for my party.

"We need to elect somebody with a background and brief in this area, not someone who has decided five minutes ago that they want to be an MEP."

Criticising the current MEPs from midlands north-west, Chambers noted a common sentiment among voters.

"People on the campaign trail tell me they don’t hear from their MEPs until they come out looking for their vote. I’m not going to go to Brussels and disappear for five years."

A significant plank of Chambers’ platform is the push for Mayo to become a leader in offshore renewable energy.

She envisions this as a means to boost employment and spur manufacturing along the western seaboard.

"The energy committee brief would be my interest in Europe," Chambers revealed.

She also hinted at her potential candidacy for the Commissioner role, which Fianna Fáil will be nominating after the elections in June.

“It’s a very serious position for Ireland, a lot of speculation has been bandied about but I’d be honoured to even be mentioned alongside some of the names.”

Ursula Von der Leyen typically seeks one male and one female candidate when selecting her commissioners to ensure gender balance so that may propel Chambers into the running.

But it is still expected it will be a senior member of Fianna Fail’s cabinet who will take the position after the elections.

Senator Chambers has been vocal in her critique of current green party policies, particularly those advocated by Minister Eamon Ryan.

She argues that a shift from onshore to offshore wind farms is necessary, citing the limited potential for further onshore development.

"Offshore is ten times our energy needs. We can be a world leader here in the west of Ireland. Companies are looking for green energy, and we’ve the second-best wind corridor in the world, it’s a no-brainer," she asserted.

The current leader of the Seanad bemoaned the lack of representation the west of Ireland receives, and cried out for better representation at senior decision-making levels.

"We have a very Dublin-focused government. It’s the capital first and the rest of the country later," she lamented, advocating for more western voices in key roles "to challenge Eamon Ryan.”

"We need to address the gaps between east and west," she said.

"For all of Eamon Ryan’s good intentions, he’s presenting green as if it’s red. Green can be our greatest opportunity and not a straight-jacket for rural Ireland.

“Fewer cows and more keep cups isn’t going to stop climate change,” Chambers noted.

The Castlebar-based representative has been showing well in the opinion polls, confirming her as a real contender.

In a recent statement, she welcomed comments from Tánaiste Micheál Martin reaffirming her stance that there is no single lead candidate for the party in the midlands north-west constituency in the forthcoming European Parliament elections.

"Tánaiste Micheál Martin's recognition that there is no single lead candidate in the constituency validates my comments and reflects the strength of our team," Senator Chambers said.

"His acknowledgment of the possibility for Fianna Fáil to secure two seats in this constituency is very encouraging.

“Barry Cowen’s comments about being the ‘lead candidate’ were, in my view, unfounded.

"However, I appreciate the Tánaiste’s perspective that such comments are part of election dynamics.”