ALL ABOUT CHARACTER
His courage, charisma, and happy approach to life are what people admire about Brian Crowley; in short, character.
He is also considered the hardest working MEP around. So, when the character attributes are added to his solid bedrock of substantial policy and work achievements in Munster, Brussels and Strasbourg, you can get close to understanding the Crowley phenomenon.
The Ireland South MEP, Brian Crowley, is not only a poll topper in every election; he also creates Irish election history. In the 1994, 1999 and 2004 European Elections he received the biggest vote in Ireland. Such consistency marks him out as one of the most popular and successful politicians in Irish electoral history. He has even surpassed such political icons as Ian Paisley and John Hume in past elections with his percentage of the available vote.
Miriam O’Callaghan, presenter of RTE’s Prime Time current affairs programme, called Brian Crowley’s election results “astonishing”. Political commentator Ted Nealon asked, “When did anyone, other than in a presidential election, get such votes?” Fine Gael Director of Elections, Phil Hogan TD, put Crowley’s success down to being, “an excellent MEP and the electorate has rewarded him for that”.
Ireland has one of the youngest populations in Europe, well educated, confident and outward looking. Brian Crowley reflects and represents this reality. Since being first elected, his policy has been ‘EU Action at Local Level’. Every weekend he meets individuals and groups across the South Constituency. These meetings are about accessing EU programmes and listening to the needs of people in their own area. “If you want to know our core values as a people and a nation, and where we want to see Ireland in the years ahead, then you must meet people and listen. Those are the voices that challenge and spur me on to deliver local economic opportunity and care for all sectors of society”, said Brian Crowley.
Brian’s caring approach to people’s needs sets him apart – and his policy of ‘EU Action at Local Level’ means he has been in your local area more than any other MEP. “I believe in bringing the needs of the people to the EU – not the needs of the EU to the people.”
Brian Crowley’s career as a public representative began back in 1993 when the then Taoiseach, Albert Reynolds, appointed him to the Senate, “to be a voice for those who have no voice”.
A wheelchair user since the age of 16 after an accidental fall from a roof that left him paralysed from the hips down, Brian had another near death experience some years later after a car accident.
There have been other prominent wheelchair-using politicians around the world, the best known historical figure being FD Roosevelt. He was the longest serving president in US history and the first wheelchair-using president to lead a great nation.
Under his tenure the American people came to accept the idea that it is possible for a government to be compassionate, with its first responsibility, the wellbeing of its citizens. President Roosevelt’s disability deepened his understanding of human nature and brought him into direct contact with the less fortunate in society.
After his death, his wife Eleanor remarked that his disability proved a blessing in disguise, giving him strength, an understanding of human suffering and the knowledge that it could be overcome. He also knew that with spiritual and physical courage, there was no situation that could not be met.
EU TERM 2004 – 2009
Brian Crowley was elected one of the seven Group Presidents of the EU, who set the European political agenda over this current term.
Brian was elected President of the UEN Group in the European Parliament in 2004; the first time ever a Fianna Fáil MEP had become leader of a political group. As president of his group, Brian Crowley is now in a very influential position in the EU Parliament. His group is a pro-European political grouping that supports the positive political and economic development of European member states. The European Parliament has equal power with the 27 member state governments in over 50 different policy areas. It has extensive powers in deciding how to spend the annual EU Budget in member states.
He will again be a candidate in the European Election for the Ireland South constituency in June 2009.
Maryborough Lodge,
Maryborough Hill,
Douglas, Cork, Ireland
Tel: +353 (21) 4896 433
Fax: +353 (21) 4896 401