EU Election Podcast: Luke Ming Flanagan diagnosed with autism after years of 'utter hell' trying to get help for daughter
For Constituency Luke European Ming Mep West Trail For The North The 2024 Elections Campaign On Flanagan, Midlands
MEP Luke Ming Flanagan's autism diagnosis came after years of "absolute and utter hell" for his family trying to get a diagnosis for his daughter, he has said.
The independent from Roscommon, who is running for re-election, received his diagnosis in January after his daughter had been diagnosed and told the 's European Elections Podcast he did not notice tell-tale signs of her behaviour because he shared the same traits.
He said his family had sought a diagnosis four years ago for his then 15-year-old daughter but was told by multiple health professionals there was no issue until there was an autism assessment.
"When that assessment was going on, I realised that one of the main reasons that I didn't spot that she was autistic was because many of the things that she was doing that are traits, I was doing myself.
"If everyone that you know is left-handed, you would be surprised to meet a right-handed person."
The MEP and former TD adds he "almost lost his mind" when his daughter was diagnosed, but that he later saw this was borne out of fear of the mental health system and fear for the prejudice his daughter might face.
"She'd say 'I do this' and I'd say 'sure, I do that'."
He adds his daughter was "open and brave enough" to be open to the idea she may be neurodivergent.
Mr Flanagan was first elected in 2014, leaving the Dáil because in his own words he had "had enough speaking to the monkey and wanted to speak to the organ grinder".
He admits he had joined the European Parliament as something of a Eurosceptic but has come to appreciate he can work within the system. He is on the European Parliament's budgetary committee and is a member of the agriculture committee, where he has had a hand in negotiating the newest iteration of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP).
However, he said the reaction of some arms of the EU to the Israeli bombardment of Gaza had increased his scepticism.
"Up until October 7, and some people out here seem to think history began with those horrible killings in Israel, I had travelled a journey here from May 2014 to October 2023 where scepticism was waning. And it wasn't waning because it suited me and I have a nice job. It was waning because of what I was seeing before my eyes and the cooperation I was getting and continue to get.
"But I have to say that my Euroscepticism is back up there again. And it's back up there from the point of view of a European Defence Force or a European Army.
"Could you imagine if we had common procurement and were getting cheap weapons now? You can only imagine those weapons would be going to Israel.
"Am I sceptical anymore? I am in that area, but I'm not when it comes to working collectively on climate change, on biodiversity loss and feeding ourselves."
Mr Flanagan said his Midlands North-West constituency would be "interesting" and he would campaign on his track record in the European Parliament.