Barry Cowen MEP
Barry Cowen MEP
for the Midlands-North West
Barry Cowen is a dedicated public servant with a long-standing commitment to representing the people of the Midlands and beyond. A native of county Offaly, Barry has over three decades of experience in public office, beginning as a local councillor and later serving as a member of Dáil Éireann from 2011 to 2024 where he represented the Laois-Offaly constituency.
During his time in national politics, Barry held several prominent roles within Fianna Fáil, including key spokesperson and Programme for Government negotiating team positions, as well as serving as Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine in 2020.
In June 2024, Barry was elected to the European Parliament as an MEP for the Midlands North-West constituency, securing 74,000 first preference votes. He now serves on the European Parliament’s Agriculture and International Trade committees where he focuses on securing better outcomes for farmers, advancing renewable energy and safeguarding Ireland’s pro-enterprise economy.