Lining up for the Euros

 Among the notable novel candidates is Eddie Punch, until recently the long-serving general secretary of the ICSA. Eddie’s knowledge of agriculture is unquestionable, and he would surely be a strong advocate for Irish and European agriculture if elected to the Parliament. Several serving MEPs are running again. Billy Kelleher, of Fianna Fáil, has been prominent in defending Irish farming interests in the outgoing Parliament, as has Seán Kelly of Fine Gael. Colm Markey, another Fine Gael representative, has made the most of the opportunity offered as an alternative MEP after Mairead McGuinness was promoted to the role of commissioner. Likewise, Chris MacManus, Matt Carty’s replacement as a Sinn Féin MEP in the European Parliament has been vocal in proclaiming his commitment to his farming constituents in the North-West Euro constituency. Luke ‘Ming’ Flanagan has never been behind the door in his, sometimes selective, defence of rural and farming interests. Despite their extraordinary prominence in the Parliament, neither Clare Daly nor Mick Wallace would be seen as staunch defenders of agricultural interests, though they are strong advocates on issues important to their political thinking. The Irish Green agenda was well represented in the outgoing Parliament, with both Ciarán Cuffe and Grace O’Sullivan sticking closely to their environmental agendas, sometimes at odds with mainstream Irish agricultural preferences. The full line-up of candidates for selection and election is not yet completed. We will carry full biographies of the would-be Irish MEPs for the next European Parliament, along with their track record on farming issues, or lack thereof,  in the May edition. Then, it will be over to the people to decide.