The outcome of past elections has been influenced by TV debates in the final week of the campaign. And for the European elections in 2019, the unexpected “star” of the debates has been one of the hitherto lesser known candidates, Saoirse McHugh of the Green Party. Mc Hugh, a 28-year-old genetic scientist from Achill in Co Mayo, has never stood for elected office before and would have no profile outside the Green Party before this election campaign. In an election where there is a discernible Green surge, she was having a moment in probably the hardest of the three constituencies for the party. I am trying not to run away with myself but I think I could take a seat,” she says.

Source: The Irish Times May 22, 2019 19:56 UTC