Name: Sheila Nunan
European Constituency: South
Preferred pronouns: She/Her
Party: Labour
Have you held a previous elected position? No
What are your reasons for running? I believe in the EU, but it needs to do better. Ordinary people see the need for strong Labour values at the heart of government decision making, here and in Europe. We need to tackle rampant inequality. I will be a strong advocate for decent work, decent pay and quality public services.
What parliamentary group will you sit with in the EP and why?
PES Party of European Socialists. They are committed to fighting for social justice, growth and jobs, consumer rights, clear rules for the financial sector and human rights and sustainable development around the world.
What do you think are the biggest issues facing young people in Ireland and what do you intend to do about them?
Climate change is the greatest challenge of our time. I am deeply committed to real action to transform our economy. We must research and develop green technologies to reduce our carbon footprint. I know that, with Labour values at the centre of a social Europe, we can become a world leader of a Green New Deal for job creation and sustainable economics
Secure work and decent incomes in a world of precarious work, ‘the gig economy’, is a particular challenge to younger people entering the labour market. Labour has pushed a series of laws to provide certainty of contracts for workers, income security, abolition of zero hour contracts, etc. In Europe, I along with my other Labour party colleagues as part of the Socialists and Democrats group are leading the way for greater protections and certainty for workers.
What will you do to ensure funding for opportunities for young people (e.g. Erasmus & Youth Employment Initiative) is increased in the next Multi-annual Financial Framework?
I will continue the work of previous Labour party members of the European Parliament. I will seek to extend the Youth Guarantee of a job, traineeship or education, to ensure full employment for young people and to reduce social exclusion. I will push for protections for interns, trainees and apprentices to eradicate the exploitation of younger workers, and a greater range of apprenticeship options, linked to industry, for young people leaving secondary school.
I support reinforcement of Erasmus 2021-27 and seek for it to benefit people from all social backgrounds by extending it to all post-secondary education, training and apprenticeships
Any other comments?
I will promote voucher schemes (European Culture Cheques) that support young people’s access to culture.
