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be].” Ms Ni Mhurchu, 57, who lives in Carlow, is a first-time political candidate. She initially made her name as a journalist and went on to host the Eurovision Song Contest in Dublin in 1994 with Gerry Ryan.
Following a stint in the spotlight, she studied law and has worked as a family law barrister for 27 years.
She admits she was a “closet supporter” of Fianna Fail and was asked to contest an election in the early 1990s. However, now her children Rachel, 23, and David, 22, are grown up, she stated now is the right time to seek office.
Ms Ni Mhurchu explained housing is voters’ main concern when knocking on doors and said it will be one of her priorities if she is elected as an MEP.
She rejects suggestions from the Irish Mirror she will not be able to affect housing from Europe, saying solving the crisis has to be a “national and European effort”.
She explained: “I have a few ideas. The European Investment Bank pledged some support for affordable student beds in Ireland at the back end of 2023. They made €200million available for third-level institutions.
“I believe there is a role for the EIB to be investigated not only in student housing but also funding social and affordable.
“I would look to expand the remit and the role of the European Investment Bank and to invest in housing projects across Europe.”
When it was put to her that party colleague Darragh O’brien has not hit a single social or affordable housing target since he became minister in 2020, Ms Ni Mhurchu said “a lot of work has been done but a lot more has got to be done”.
She added: “People are accepting that the housing crisis, which has always driven anti-immigrant sentiment, is the link. Immigration is linked to housing.
“Housing is the priority. Once people see and understand that there is some progress made, albeit not fast enough, hopefully this right-wing agenda [will dissipate].”
Ms Ni Mhurchu also stated the “absence of a migration deal between the UK and the EU” poses challenges as she called on the two jurisdictions to negotiate.
She added: “We have to work closely, not just with the British government, but obviously with [First Minister] Michelle O’neill and with the Assembly.”
On the question of Fianna Fail going into Government with Sinn Fein following the next election, she was scathing.
She argued the party “can’t be trusted” and they “flip flop”.
Ms Ni Mhurchu added: “They’re brilliant marketers. That’s what they do. It’s all headlines, it’s all appearances. There is no actual substance to it.”