OPINION: Best may be yet to come from EU says Offaly's MEP

This week, I welcomed members of the European Parliament’s Committee on Regional Development (REGI) to my home county of Offaly. Their visit was an opportunity to see first hand how EU Just Transition funding has helped our communities adapt and thrive following the transition away from the once-vital peat industry.

Earlier in the week, a further €6 million in funding was awarded to community-led projects across the Midlands under the EU Just Transition Fund Programme. Investments like this have been instrumental in regenerating local projects, supporting small businesses and helping our communities embrace a new economic reality. The MEPs from across Europe have, I hope, come away having learned that, more than just replacing one industry with another, our Just Transition is about ensuring communities actively shape their own economic future.

Ireland has benefited immensely from EU membership. We have come a long way from the days when the European Economic Community hesitated to admit us due to our economic struggles. Today, we are a net contributor to the EU budget. Once reliant on European funding for roads, schools and infrastructure, our own Government now invests billions annually in these and other sectors.

The key question now is: how do we sustain this momentum and ensure the best is yet to come for Ireland and the Midlands? The answer lies in leading next-generation industries and securing our role as a valuable player in the European project and beyond.

Just as we successfully moved away from fossil fuels, we now face another defining transition. The Midlands, once powered by peat, must now lead in renewable energy and advanced technology. The success of the Just Transition will not be measured by one-off grants but by whether we create sustainable, future-proof industries that benefit local communities.

One area where Ireland has a clear advantage in renewable energy, particularly offshore wind. As well as Offaly, the MEPs also visited Galway Port and will have seen that the Atlantic coast has some of the strongest, most consistent winds in the world. While our Government has set a target of at least 5GW of offshore wind capacity by 2030, we must go further - especially by tapping into the full potential of the west coast.

Local communities must thereafter benefit directly, receiving first call on new power generation. With the right investments in offshore infrastructure and grid connectivity, Ireland can achieve energy security and become a net exporter of clean energy, helping the EU transition away from Russian gas.

This demands a European Supergrid - linking Ireland’s vast wind resources with the wider European network - which could significantly reduce energy costs and enhance energy independence. A 2022 study by UCD’s Energy Institute found that such a grid could cut energy costs across Europe by up to 32%. Given global energy volatility and geopolitical uncertainties, this is an opportunity we cannot afford to miss.

Beyond energy, Ireland and Europe must embrace another transformative opportunity: artificial intelligence. The AI revolution is already reshaping economies, yet the EU has fallen behind global competitors, as highlighted by the Draghi report. AI has the potential to revolutionise industries from agri-food to medtech, opening limitless opportunities for regions like the Midlands.

But we need a plan. With targeted EU-backed investment in education, research and infrastructure, Ireland can become a leader in AI. This requires upskilling workers, supporting startups, and fostering partnerships between academia and industry- ensuring AI drives regional economic growth, not just expansion in Dublin’s tech hubs.

The Just Transition must be driven by ambition, not just necessity. It must deliver tangible benefits - jobs, community investment and long-term prosperity. The transition from peat to renewables and AI should empower local people, not just replace industries.

As a TD, I fought to ensure Ireland’s peatland regions were included in the EU’s coal regions transition fund. As an MEP, I will continue to champion the industries of our area and of the future. The challenge is clear: how do we ensure our regions not only survive but thrive? The answer lies in bold policies, strategic investment, leveraging our EU membership and putting communities first. The Midlands powered Ireland’s past - now, with the right leadership and vision, it can drive Ireland and Europe’s future.