Latest news with #MariaWalsh
BreakingNews.ie
26-05-2025
- Politics
- BreakingNews.ie
Irish MEP warns of dangers to LGBT community across Europe
Fine Gael MEP Maria Walsh has warned of the increasing dangers people of the LGBTQ+ community are facing across Europe. Ms Walsh was speaking on the 10th anniversary of the Marriage Equality referendum in Ireland, which saw 62 per cent in favour of same-sex marriage, on a high turnout of 61 per cent. Advertisement The Fine Gael MEP made headlines in 2014, as she was the first openly gay winner of the Rose of Tralee. Speaking to Breakingnews, Ms Walsh recalled the celebrations in Australia as Ireland voted for same sex couples to have the right to get married. "In many ways, it was a bittersweet moment", said Ms Walsh. "I wasn't in Dublin Castle for the announcement of equality for my peers and my generation, but I was on the dance floor in Perth, having just watched the new Perth Rose get selected, standing alongside a Labour politician, who is Dublin born but Australia raised of the name of Stephen Dawson. Advertisement "While he and his husband were married in 2013, he re-proposed right in front of us on the dancefloor. For him, his home country had seen this overwhelming change of welcome and removal of indifference. "It was such a unique moment to experience, but obviously I would have loved to have been in and around Dublin Castle, but probably more so the West of Ireland, where the perception coming into the election was rural communities would never see the equality that was needed." Ms Walsh admitted the referendum, combined with passing the referendum in 2018 for abortion rights in the country, were big contributing factors to her entering politics. However, she warned that referendums alone would not be enough to continue social change in the country. Advertisement "People were excited about themselves or a family member or a friend or an auntie or uncle who moved away in the 70s because of their orientation, was now being celebrated. "Repeal the eighth, just the very basic right to women's healthcare, it captured the change that was needed. It was a removal of the shackles in many ways for cultural beliefs. "That hold that we had of ourselves or of other people had of us as a country, that just lifted, which is incredible. "I remember having really deep and meaningful conversations around marriage equality and repeal the eighth, and one of the things that really frustrated me in those conversations was a general election would be coming on and I would ask if they are interested in that, and they would say "not at all, that's not really for me". Advertisement "We do know the circle of change happens when we elect people who want positive change and positive change. That disconnect was apparent in those two referendums. "They are sexy, they are trendy, they mobilised a vote, they got people home to vote. All of that became so relevant, which is fantastic. "Since then, I wonder how we can connect people to push that progressive change outside of these referendums." In the last few years, countries across Europe have seen a push from far-right politicians and groups which have targeted the rights of LGBTQ+ people. Advertisement Earlier this week, an event by the Labour party had to be postponed 'due to the threat of protest from far-right actors at the original venue'. Ms Walsh highlighted further examples of moments of feeling unsafe for herself and other members of the community, both in Ireland and across Europe. "There is a website dedicated to me from the 2019 election created by a very infamous family from the west of Ireland, that says by going to schools I brainwash children into becoming LGBTI people, which is so far away from the truth it is laughable. "In June last year, Wicklow Pride was forced to cancel due to threats from protestors. Research from the Midlands LGBTI+ project show 20 per cent of gay people feel unsafe. "Panti Bliss shared on the radio over the weekend that she has never felt more unsafe in the last 10, 15, or 20 years. "I feel safe, but I'm not walking around Dublin city all the time. I am not coming out of gay pubs or nightclubs every weekend. "I absolutely felt unsafe when I was in Belgrade in the Euro Pride parade two years ago. I absolutely felt unsafe attending Budapest pride a couple of years ago, I have no doubt I will feel unsafe when I attend again at the end of June. "There is points over the campaign where do I feel unsafe, no, but it is certainly unsafe online. It doesn't take a whole lot to shift from online to the physical space. "Equality is so hard fought, and very quickly lost, and that is the epicentre of the work we still need to do."
Agriland
14-05-2025
- Politics
- Agriland
CAP simplification could ‘unlock' animal disease funding
The move from the European Commission to introduce a range of regulatory amendments to the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) could 'unlock' funding to tackle animal disease, an Irish MEP has said. The commission outlined a package of measures today (Wednesday, May 14) in a bid to simplify the CAP and reduce administrative burden on farmers and member states. Ireland Midlands–North-West MEP Maria Walsh welcomed the proposals, saying it could provide funding to tackle animal disease; would reduce on-farm inspections; and help farmers navigate the requirements under CAP conditionality and the Good Agricultural and Environmental Conditions (GAEC), including the controversial GAEC 2 on the protection of peatlands. The measures include support for small and organic farmers as well as actions to help with natural disasters and animal disease, Walsh said. 'Our farmers are drowning in red tape and bureaucracy, and today's announcement is a much-needed acknowledgement of this fact. More so than merely acknowledging the challenges, these simplification measures will finally relieve much of the pressure weighing on the shoulders of Irish farmers,' she said. 'At a time when TB is ravaging through Irish farms, I am hopeful these proposals will unlock additional funding to tackle animal disease. The package mentions that member states should be able to dedicate up to 3% of their annual CAP envelope to help farmers deal with natural disasters or animal diseases,' the Fine Gael MEP added. Walsh said she would be raising this point with the European Commission today in a meeting of the European Parliament's agriculture committee, of which she is a member. 'Irish farmers have requested more support and clarity on GAEC 2 requirements. Over the past few months, I have requested the commission to look into including GAEC 2 in the simplification proposal. 'I am heartened to see the commission listening to the concerns of Irish farmers. GAEC standards now do not have to exceed the mandatory national provisions and existing farming practices where they achieve the objective of the standard,' she said. According to the MEP, the burden of random inspections and controls on farmers will also be reduced. There will be a cap of one on-the-spot check per farm per year. 'The devil is in the detail of this package… This has the potential to be one of the most ambitious agricultural packages in recent times from the European Commission,' she said. 'We are seeing a new form of decisive and impactful leadership emerging… Leadership that listens to voices of farmers, including Irish farmers, and takes strong action which I hope will assist our agricultural sector through the challenges of the day,' Walsh remarked. The changes were also welcomed by Fianna Fáil MEP Barry Cowen, who said that the simplification package 'directly addresses' the top concern raised by farmers during last summer's European elections and the farmer protests late last year. Cowen said: 'For too long, farmers have been tied up in bureaucracy instead of being supported to do what they do best – produce top-quality food and contribute to rural economies. These proposals mark a clear shift in direction and are a promising signal that the commission has heard the message sent by Irish farmers loud and clear. 'These are practical, targeted reforms that will ease pressure on farmers, especially smaller operators who often struggle most under disproportionate administrative demands,' he added. 'I'll be doing everything I can to ensure these reforms are fully implemented and to make sure they're just the beginning of a broader push for a fairer, simpler, more sustainable CAP that truly rewards farmers into the future,' the Midlands–North-West MEP said.
Agriland
08-05-2025
- Health
- Agriland
MEP seeks more funds for farmers to deal with animal disease
In a meeting with European Commissioner Oliver Varhelyi, MEP Maria Walsh called for increased support for Irish farmers dealing with animal disease. MEP Maria Walsh met with Varhelyi, the Hungarian Commissioner responsible for health and animal welfare, in Strasbourg this week to discuss the concerns of Irish farmers, including animal disease and live animal transportation. MEP Walsh is a full member of the European Parliament's Agriculture Committee. MEP Maria Walsh said: 'Animal diseases and bovine TB [tuberculosis] in particular continue to plague farms across the island of Ireland. 'I met with Commissioner Varhelyi to highlight this challenge and pushed for urgent action and financing from the European Commission. 'In the year to March 2025, there were 41,548 cases of bovine TB detected on Irish farms – an increase of over 11,600 on the previous 12 months. This comes with a hefty price tag; in 2021, direct costs of bovine TB were estimated at €105 million,' MEP Walsh added. The Fine Gael MEP for the Midlands North West said that to eradicate bovine TB in Ireland, cross-border cooperation and increased funding supports are needed. 'I recently met with the head veterinarian of Northern Ireland, and urged Commissioner Varhelyi to increase cooperation with the UK Government on this issue,' Walsh continued. 'I also reiterated my calls for an updated EU animal disease strategy, and crucially lobbied for the budget to be re-introduced to combat TB. 'The transportation of live animals is a critical issue for Irish farmers at the moment. In order for our farmers and agricultural businesses to access the EU single market, we need sea exports to continue under the current rules. 'I raised the need to protect Ireland's derogation for transport, stressing the unique challenges we face as an island nation – which I believe the commissioner understands,' she said. The MEP stressed that next week's EU-UK Summit is crucial for the Irish agricultural sector, and has called on the commission to use the opportunity to ensure farmers and businesses thrive across the island of Ireland.
Irish Independent
08-05-2025
- Business
- Irish Independent
MEP Maria Walsh warns Donald Trump's proposed film tariffs could place thousands of Irish jobs at risk
The US President has threatened to impose 100pc tariffs on films made outside of America, saying on his Truth Social platform that he has told government departments to apply the tariffs on any films coming from 'foreign lands'. So far, there has been no indication of how the tariffs would be imposed by the US government, with MEP for Midlands North West Maria Walsh saying that the threat of such tariffs brings huge uncertainty for Ireland's film industry. Speaking in Brussels, the Fine Gael MEP warned that any potential tariffs threaten the existence of Ireland's film sector and place thousands of Irish jobs at risk. 'The audio visual industry is worth over €1 billion to Ireland's economy, from actor Rob Lowe to Variety magazine, the world recognises our island as a global production powerhouse,' she said. "Trump's latest threat to slap a 100% tariff on foreign movies could wipe out our film industry in an instant. Over 16,000 jobs, many in rural Ireland, hang in the balance. A far cry from Hollywood's drama, the livelihoods of many of my constituents are in doubt as we sit here and debate this morning.' She said that, while the concept of the tariffs seems untenable, work still needs to be done to clarify the US position regarding the issue and bring clarity to the film industry in Ireland. 'Unsurprisingly this latest policy seems unworkable, given the international and entwined web of investors, labour and revenue. How can one even define a foreign film in this day and age? 'As time has taught us there is always scope for a rollback from the Trump administration. However, while we may hope for such courage, we cannot be complacent and naïve 'I am calling on the commission and our member states to act with urgency and seek the answers from the US on the policy over the coming days and weeks.'
Agriland
06-05-2025
- Business
- Agriland
EU AGRI committee backs proposed fertiliser tariffs
The European Parliament Agriculture and Rural Development Committee (AGRI) has voted to support proposals to impose tariffs on fertiliser imported from Russia and Belarus. During a meeting in Strasbourg yesterday (Monday, May 5), 25 members of the committee voted in favour of an opinion on the proposal, 5 were against and 14 abstained. Irish MEPs Barry Cowen and Maria Walsh, who are both full members of the committee, were among those who voted against. The EU Commission's proposal seeks to modify customs duties applied to imports of certain goods originating in or exported directly or indirectly from Russia and Belarus. The move, intended to restrict Russia's war financing and promote EU strategic autonomy, has already been approved by the European Council. Fertiliser In a statement to Agriland, Midlands–North-West MEP Barry Cowen said that 'after careful consideration' he could not support the proposed tariffs in yesterday's vote. 'The reality is they would hit Irish and European farmers and consumers far harder than they would impact the Russian war machine. 'Fertiliser prices are already rising sharply and the commission's approach risks making a difficult situation worse,' he said. The Fianna Fáil MEP noted that he has already secured support for several key amendments at AGRI. These include monthly monitoring and public reporting of fertiliser prices across all member states and promotion of the active diversification of EU fertiliser supply, particularly through stronger trade ties with the US and support for alternatives such as RENURE and digestate. 'Ireland has no domestic fertiliser production – we rely entirely on imports. These tariffs might make sense for other member states, but for us it could spell disaster. 'Ultimately, in relation to yesterday's vote, the commission failed to put forward any serious proposals to address my concerns and those of Irish farmers. That's not good enough. 'I'll always back Irish agriculture and that means advocating for policies grounded in their lived realities, not just political optics,' Cowen said. Bags of fertiliser. Image: Copa Cogeca on X Fine Gael MEP Maria Walsh said that 'Irish farmers face the highest fertiliser costs in the European Union'. 'The recent Rabobank report highlights the continued increase in the price of fertiliser in 2025, resulting in a decrease of the purchasing power of farmers. 'We are in a particularly vulnerable position due to our reliance on imported fertilisers,' she said. 'I believe the commission's proposal and the compromise reached in the Agriculture Committee lack sufficient safeguards and fail to guarantee that Irish farmers will not be affected by an increase in fertiliser prices. 'Given the multitude of pressures currently facing Irish farmers, they do not need yet another source of uncertainty,' the Midlands–North-West MEP added. 'I have consistently supported sanctions against Russia's aggression towards Ukraine, as my record shows. 'I hope to see a proposal from the Commission that penalises Russia while also protecting Irish farmers,' she said. The next step will be a vote in the International Trade (INTA) Committee, which is the lead committee on this legislation, followed by a vote at plenary (full sitting) of the EU Parliament. Tariffs Meanwhile, Independent Ireland MEP Ciaran Mullooly voiced his disappointment at the outcome of the vote 'despite strong requests from myself, fellow MEPs and farmers groups not only in Ireland but throughout Europe'. He claimed that the new tariffs will 'inevitably lead to higher prices to be paid by our farmers within the next 18 months'. 'The mad rush to push this through flew in the face of lots of genuine efforts by MEPs of all sides to bring amendments – a fact that wasn't forgotten by other MEPs from other countries who spoke after the vote on the committee,' he said. Ahead of the meeting, Mullooly wrote to the Irish MEPs on the AGRI committee to voice his concern and that of farm organisations about 'targeting such an essential farm input'. Mullooly said that he fully supports the EU's strategic objective to reduce dependence on Russian fertiliser imports. However, he believes the compromise measures proposed by the commission to mitigate the impact on Irish and European farming are 'aspirational in tone and vague in substance'.
