Each year the European Parliament holds an ‘MEP of the Year’ competition where nominations are made by NGOs in support of individual MEPs.  Marian greatly appreciates the unsolicited nominations she has received. 

To be nominated is a great honour and is a very welcome endorsement of the effort she makes on behalf of a range of interests.

Marian’s work in advancing the interests of volunteers, carers and women is reflected in her nomination by a number of groups that she should be named ‘MEP of the Year’.

Eurocarers who represent national carers bodies at EU level have nominated Marian because of her work to highlight the needs of carers and in recognition of her role as a founder member and current chair of the Carers Interest Group in the European Parliament.

Volunteering Ireland and Volunteering England nominated Marian because of her success in having 2011 named by the European Commission as the ‘European Year on Volunteering’, for her report on volunteering which was hugely endorsed by the European Parliament and for her ongoing work in supporting volunteers.

The European Women’s Lobby has nominated Marian for her contribution ‘toward the betterment of the lives of both women and men throughout Europe’.