Ahead of the European Parliament elections on June 7, we sent a questionnaire with the same eight questions to the candidates running in the Dublin constituency.
Here are the responses from Aodhán Ó Ríordáin (the Labour party)
It has been 50 years since Ireland joined the EU; has joining had a positive or negative impact on Ireland?
I am someone who believes in a fair, tolerant and open society that defends people’s rights and protects the environment. This has been the direction of travel for Ireland ever since we joined the EU, especially when we advance its social agenda. There is no doubt that the EU has had a positive impact on Ireland, and it has the potential to do more in areas such as housing, employment and in ensuring a just climate transition.
Would you support Ursula Von Der Leyen in a 2nd term as EU Commissioner?
She is not fit for the role and I will not be supporting her. She promotes big business, and a centre-right agenda. This alone would be reason enough to reject a second term but last October last year, she went way beyond her brief, by disgracefully giving unconditional EU support to Israel without the consent of EU member states.
Would you work with far-right MEPs such as ones from the AFD in Germany if you were elected?
Absolutely not. I decided to run for the European Parliament to promote inclusivity and solidarity. The far right stands in direct opposition to those values and I cannot in good conscience work with them.
What has the European Union done for the average voter since the last round of elections in 2019?
While some measures have been held back by the EPP and others on the right, the EU has still had some significant achievements during the past five years. The European Green Deal has been groundbreaking in its innovation, linking environmental protection to economic development and social impact.
What should be the main priorities of the European Parliament over the next 5 years?
I believe the European Parliament has to make a positive impact the issues facing people in their everyday lives.
My key priorities to achieving this are housing, climate action, workers’ rights and the defence of democratic values.
- Housing has to become central to the European agenda. EU spending rules prevent our councils from adequately funding public housing. They favour investment funds over people in need of homes. This affects people across Europe and it needs to change
- Climate action is a priority. Creating clean energy, promoting biodiversity and investing in public transport are good for the environment and our green economy.
- Stronger rights for employees, with better pay and improved working conditions.
- Democracy has to be defended – the far right is on the march. We need to reject division and hate and promote a Europe that works for people.
Migration and security policy will likely dominate the next term of the European parliament. What influence will Ireland have in shaping those policies?
I actually think housing, climate and workers’ rights should dominate the agenda – that’s a choice voters will make on June 7th.
In terms of what influence Ireland will have, I want it to be a constructive one. On migration, I will be advancing a perspective that is inclusive and compassionate, and I hope that other Irish MEPs will hold the line for decency and solidarity.
On security, I will insist on respect for Ireland’s position of military neutrality while being open to ways that Ireland and Europe can co-operate on issues such as cyber crime, disinformation and stopping bad actors from spreading hate and dissension.
Italy’s foreign minister recently called for the establishment of a European Union army; do you agree with the idea?
No, I do not agree with him. At its core, the EU is a peace project. It achieves this not through military means, but through the spread of democratic institutions, economic interdependence and the pooling of sovereignty and resources. It is a union of cooperation, not militarisation.
Would you describe European Union sentiment in Ireland as very bad, bad, good, very good, or excellent?
I’ve talked to thousands of people since I began my campaign in January and, from what I can see, at a big picture level, sentiment towards the EU is very positive. Indeed, after Brexit, there has been a renewed appreciation of the place Ireland holds at the heart of the EU and what this represents for us.
However, like any democratic body the EU is far from perfect and I want to see greater action on climate, on workers’ rights and an EU plan for housing