Dublin projects featured in new European Commission booklet publication

A MASSIVE social housing development overseen by Dublin City Council and a local project developed by Bohemian FC that teaches numeracy through soccer are featured in a new EU publication launched last week.

Other projects featured in ‘What’s The Story? – 25 Stories About Ireland and Europe’ include the battle to save the curlew in Galway, a clean energy initiative on Cape Clear and exporting Irish gin to global markets.

The one thing all the projects have in common is that they benefited from EU support or funding, and the stories behind them are told in the new publication from the European Commission Representation in Ireland.

Last week’s launch event in Leinster House highlighted content from What’s The Story and included speeches from Ceann Comhairle Seán Ó Fearghaíl and Gerry Kiely, Head of the European Commission Representation in Ireland.

“What’s the Story? contains rich personal stories of the real ways that European cooperation opens the door to economic opportunity and cultural enrichment, both for Irish people and for our fellow Europeans wishing to strengthen ties with Ireland,” the Ceann Comhairle said.

“Since Ireland joined the then-EEC in 1973, our people have developed a deep appreciation of what it means to be a European and a true partner to our fellow EU Member States.”

European Affairs Minister Helen McEntee, TD, who jointly wrote the publication’s introduction, also spoke about What’s The Story?

“Since Ireland joined the EU in 1973 we have benefitted hugely from our membership. In that time, we have moved from an isolated island on the fringes of Europe, to a modern island at the heart of EU,” she said.

“The EU is our home and it is one that we have helped to build and will continue to nourish and improve over the next number of decades.

“Today’s stories give practical examples of how we in Ireland continue to benefit from our membership of the EU. The EU spans across the entire continent of Europe and allows us to have endless opportunities, to work, live, study and travel in each-others countries.

“This is something that we must protect, so that this generation and the ones who follow can continue to benefit from.”

Gerry Kiely, Head of the European Commission Representation in Ireland, said one of the greatest stories to be told today is that of Ireland’s relationship with Europe.

“It’s a tale that has lasted over four decades, and one that will continue to unfold for many future generations,” he continued.

“The real story of the European Union and Ireland however can be found in the stories that unfold quietly and without fuss in the communities, businesses, farms, schools and universities around the country.”

Citizens who featured in What’s The Story? also spoke the launch including Margaret Malone of the National Transport Authority who discussed the Clean Energy for EU Islands project which is helping the Aran Islands and Cape Clear to switch to renewable energy, and Professor John Nolan from Waterford IT and Moya Doherty, Producer and RTE chair.

They spoke about research into macular degeneration at Waterford IT, which has received major EU funding.

An interactive version of the What’s the story booklet can be downloaded in Irish and English from https://ec.europa.eu/ireland.

Hard copies of the publication can be requested from the European Commission Representation in Ireland, Europe House, 12-14 Lower Mount Street, Dublin 2, e-mail: eu-ie-info-request@ec.europa.eu.

The project can also be followed on social media using the #EUstories hashtag.