Chris MacManus has served as an MEP for the Midlands–North-West constituency since 2020. He sits on the agriculture and rural development committee and is part of The Left group in the EU Parliament. He was previously a member of the Sligo Borough Council and Sligo County Council.

There are a vast number of issues. Defending Ireland’s neutrality, climate action, workers’ and socials rights, addressing the issues of regional imbalance and, of course, Irish Unity.

I would like the EU institutions to see our neutrality as a positive and an advantage. We can be seen as an impartial player on the world stage that promotes peace and reconciliation across the board.

In terms of climate action, I would like to see all 27 Member States and the EU Institutions address the root causes of climate change. Not penalise workers and families, but go after the big corporate polluters. I would like to see a real just transition.

With regards to workers’ and social rights, the European Union plays a huge role in the advancement of the rights of workers. The Platform Workers’ Directive is a prime example of that. I would like play a role in ensuring those institutions have the backs of workers, and not big corporate interests.

Successive Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael governments have left the West and North-West behind. We need to hold them to account when it comes to regional development. We need MEPs to utilise all EU Programmes to ensure regional imbalance is comprehensively addressed. One way of doing this would be by adding the Claremorris-Collooney section of the Western Rail Corridor to the TEN-T Network.

The conversation and debate around Irish Unity has taken off. There are public meetings taking place across the 32 Counties of Ireland, and the EU needs to play an active role in the debate. We need the EU institutions to outline how they will assist and facilitate the transition from partition to re-unification within the EU.

Sinn Féin are running a strong team of candidates. Our commitment is to stand up for ordinary workers and families to deliver real change on the issues that matter to them.

We have good relationships with, and regularly talk with parties and MEPs from other political groups, in order to work collaboratively to deliver for the people we represent.

As is our practice, following the election, Sinn Féin MEPs will join the political group most closely aligned with our values.
Unlike some other parties our policies or votes will not be determined by any European party or group.

I am a committed to delivering for the people of the Midlands-North-West. I have championed the rights of the West and North West and made sure it is not forgotten about in Brussels. I am the only MEP who has consistently highlighted the issue of regional imbalance and brought it to the attention of EU decision-makers.

I have met with the Commissioner for Regional Development and raised with her the downgrading of the North West from a developed to “in transition” region.

On my invitation, the Chair of the Regional Development Committee undertook a week-long trip to the North West to see first-hand the issues affecting our region.

I have been a strong advocate for the reopening of the Western Rail Corridor. Investing in infrastructure such as the Western Rail Corridor is absolutely critical to the future of our region and will play a key role in attracting investment and high quality jobs.

I am fighting tooth and nail for our regional airports such as Ireland West, in particular for a state aid exemption and support for their plans for a 600-acre enterprise campus on site, which would be a game changer for the west of Ireland.

I have fought for EU transport funding to be directed towards this region by having it included in the TEN-T Core Network, and submitted amendments to that effect on the TRAN Committee, so that our region can receive its fair share of infrastructural investment.

I have fought to protect and promote the family farm model which is the beating heart of our rural communities.

I have consistently led the way in terms of issues that are important to rural Ireland. My Right to Cash campaign and Farm Safety & mental health campaigns being a very good examples of that. I listen so I can understand the wants and needs of the people in Midlands North West. Then I go and work as hard as I can for them.