Cowen sets out his stall for Europe in Cavan
EU hopeful Barry Cowen attended the Fianna Fáil convention for the selection of candidates in the Ballyjamesduff Electoral Area last Tuesday. Deputy Cowen is contesting the EU elections in the Midlands North West constituency alongside Niall Blaney and Lisa Chambers.
Mr Cowen paid tribute to the four candidates who threw their hat into the political arena for a chance to gain a seat on Cavan County Council.
“The courage of one’s conviction to put themselves forward and seek the support of their peers is no mean feat,” he said, urging all those present to move on and support the chosen candidates.
“I would ask that when canvassing locally, candidates would also introduce the party candidates for Europe and seek the nomination for us as well,” he urged local grass root supporters.
Deputy Cowen went on to outline his experience and main campaign priorities. “My three priorities centre around the rural economy and the role that agriculture and food production plays in that. I am also seeking to ensure that changes to work practices and farming practices that are underway are rewarded and appreciated rather than having a continuous focus on costs; and with regard to energy security and power generation, I want to ensure that this country has the capacity to deliver what is necessary, to retain information technology and jobs and that prices better reflect the needs of consumers and businesses, and can return to what they were before the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
“It is essential that we use our collective presence in Europe to ensure that Ireland is part of a pan-European project that can deliver the ambition required and has the potential to garner up to €300bn over the next 20 years from off-shore wind projects.”
His third priority, he added, is to defend Ireland’s tax regime. “We need to be defending our ability to raise the likes of €24bn last year compared to €4bn 10 years ago in corporate tax rates,” he continued.
“Guaranteeing investment in the Midlands North West region and maintaining that is also necessary,” added Deputy Cowen.