Nine MEP Candidates to Attend IFA Election Meeting in Gowran Park This Evening
Nine of the candidates who are running in Ireland South for the European Parliament will attend the IFA election debate in Gowran Park Racecourse, Kilkenny this evening at 8pm.
The are: Christopher Doyle (Ind); Niamh Hourigan (Lab); Billy Kelleher MEP (FF); Seán Kelly MEP (FG); Michael McNamara TD (Ind); Patrick Murphy (Aontú); Cynthia ní Mhúrchu (FF); Grace O’Sullivan MEP (Green Party); and Eddie Punch (Independent Ireland).
IFA South Leinster regional chair Paul O’Brien encouraged farmers to attend and put the candidates’ policy positions under scrutiny ahead of polling day on June 7th.
“It is time for the political system to stand up for farming and food production. As farmers, we are proud of what we do and how we do it. Farmers are sick of being over-regulated and underpaid. Enough is enough,” he said.
The IFA Manifesto has identified four key EU issues using the acronym CORE.
The CORE EU issues are: CAP, Over Regulation, Retain the Nitrates Derogation and Environmental fairness.
“Farmers are frustrated with how they have been treated by the political system in recent years. There has been a complete focus on environmental sustainability, but insufficient consideration for economic and social sustainability,” he said.
“Candidates who want an understanding of what matters to farmers can find our issues in the manifesto that we have produced. It reflects the discussions that happen at our County Executives, our National Committees and National Council, which is made up of our democratically-elected farmer officers,” he said.
The finalmeeting for MEP candidates in Midlands-North West will take place in the Bloomfield House Hotel, Mullingar tomorrow, Wed, evening.
