New poll reveals public is strongly pro-EU, but disconnect must be addressed – Ward

An education campaign to demonstrate how EU membership benefits Ireland and its citizens would give people a greater understanding about how decisions taken in the European Parliament impact on their daily lives, a Fine Gael TD has said.

A new survey from the European Movement Ireland out today shows that while Irish public opinion still heavily supports EU membership, a majority of people do not feel their voice is adequately represented at European level.

Deputy Barry Ward, who is Chair of the Joint Oireachtas Committee on EU Affairs, said: “The survey showed that here in Ireland, 35% believe their views are adequately represented at European level, an increase of 5% on last year’s poll. However, 37% disagree with that statement and 27% are unsure. We need to improve on that.

“We cannot expect people – particularly young people – to engage with Europe, whether that’s voting, working, or studying abroad, if we don’t properly equip them with an understanding how decisions are made or how they can influence and benefit them.

“From free trade to the universal phone charger, to consumer protections, to free data roaming, the benefits of EU membership can impact us in both big and small ways. Our young people can also study abroad thanks to Erasmus+, work in other member states visa-free, and backpack around Europe with an interrail pass.

“But a lot of people don’t see how decisions made in Europe impact their day-to-day lives on matters close to home and that needs to be addressed.

“The decision-making processes in Europe can be complicated, and I think we need to better educate people as to how the EU operates and why it matters.

“If we want the next generation to shape the future of Europe, we need to start in the classroom. That can mean improved education around the EU institutions, but it can also mean fostering a sense of dual identity – we are proudly Irish, but are also Europeans, and what happens in Europe matters to us in Ireland,” concluded Deputy Ward.