In our audit of the Midlands North West European election candidates, we asked candidates to answer questions on nine of the most pressing issues facing Ireland and Europe in the coming years.

If elected, do you promise to sit for the entire five-year term?

Patrick Greene

I will stay in office for the full five years so long as I am healthy and alive. I am reminded of the old saying that ‘promises are made to be broken’. “I will” is not a promise it is statement of fact.

Cyril Brennan

Yes, I would.

Michael O’Dowd

If God spares me, yes.

Brendan Smith

Yes. I will serve a full mandate. I am running because I want to serve my region as an MEP and use my parliamentary and ministerial experience to ensure our concerns are heard in Brussels and Strasbourg.

Saoirse McHugh

I do indeed.

Anne Rabbitte

Yes. My aim here, if elected an MEP for the Midlands-North-West, is to use the five years to work towards making a substantial improvement to the social and economic fabric of our constituency by way of targeting EU investment to enhance and support the potential of the Hidden Heartlands and the Wild Atlantic Way, and strengthen the western economic corridor in the process.

I’ve met so many people over the past number of years who’ve been left with nowhere to turn. These people often end up on the doorstep of a TD’s office as a last resort, and that simply isn’t right. We need less bureaucracy and more transparency in our system, to make sure it’s working as well as it should be for everyone. I feel privileged that I’m in a position to offer a voice to those who go unheard and if elected, I would continue to do this in the European Parliament.

Maria Walsh

Yes.

Peter Casey

That’s the plan.

Fidelma Healy Eames

YES.

Matt Carthy

The challenge before me now is a European election and the need to defend my record and that of Sinn Féin and to advance a progressive republican agenda. I want to be re-elected to continue important work at a European level on behalf of the people of Midlands North West. I cannot predict the future but my focus if re-elected will be on continuing to fight for Ireland and delivering as an MEP on key issues such as stopping the vulture funds directive and ensuring money is not wasted on the creation of an EU army.

Mairead McGuinness

Yes.