What Kind of Europe Will Ireland Represent?
What Kind of Europe Will Ireland Represent?
From 1 July until the end of the year, Ireland will hold the EU Presidency. It’s a key time for Ireland to influence decisions at such a pivotal moment in the European political landscape. But what does it actually mean to hold the EU Presidency, and how can Ireland make the most of it?
“EU values” is a phrase that we are hearing more and more. A sense of unity within the EU is essential for it to function effectively. While holding the presidency, Ireland can make its voice heard on EU values such as human rights, freedom, democracy, human dignity, equality, and the rule of law.
There’s no denying that some policies of the EU and its member states have been moving into more concerning territory. Europe-wide trends are also being seen in Ireland. The rise of the far right has intensified in recent years, with some EU countries moving towards more isolationist policies. We’re also seeing environmental policy take a back seat in favour of corporate interests. To add to this, the EU has fundamentally failed to uphold humanitarian law in relation to Israel’s alleged war crimes in the Occupied Palestinian Territories.
Without a strong foundation of values, the EU is nothing. European Movement Ireland has taken it upon itself to make the most of Ireland being in the spotlight. By drawing on a diverse lineup of Irish voices, the organisation is creating a representative platform to influence real policy within the EU, showcasing ordinary people across Ireland who promote EU values in their everyday work. Human rights lawyers, women’s rights activists, Irish language experts, migrant rights advocates, and many others are coming together under one banner to reassert the values on which the EU was built.
Ireland has always been a significantly pro-EU country, with the latest polling showing that 82% of Irish people support the Union. However, at the same time, only 45% believe the EU is heading in the right direction. The values that make many of us proud to be European, are increasingly at risk.We must take it upon ourselves to make our voices heard and champion the values we most want to see define the EU into the future. Click here to learn more about European Movement Ireland.
Elsewhere on District: Ireland Is the Loneliest Country in Europe
