Eduation campaigned needed to explain EU benefits, says Ward

Fine Gael TD Barry Ward has said that an education campaign is needed to articulate how EU membership benefits Ireland.

Ward said that the campaign would give Irish citizens a “greater understanding” about how decisions and votes in the European Parliament have a direct impact on their daily lives.

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

The survey noted that 35% believe their views are adequately represented at a European level, an increase of 5% on last year’s poll, but 37% disagree with that statement and 27% are unsure.

“We need to improve on that,” said Ward.

“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,” he said.

Ward listed a number of benefits that the EU already provides to people, such as free trade, the universal phone charger, to consumer protections, and free data roaming.

Ward said those were tangible, everyday benefits of the EU, but that needed to be communicated to people.

The Fine Gael TD also cited the Erasmus+ scheme, which allows young people to 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,” he said.

He noted that the European decision-making process can be complicated, and that the onus was on the government to better educate people about the inner workings of the EU.

“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,” Ward said.