Europe should spend on community, not weapons, says Boylan

Sinn Féin MEP Lynn Boylan has said that the EU must not cut funding to community groups in order to bankroll what she calls “bumper military contracts.”

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Earlier this year, European Commission boss Ursula Von Der Leyen announced her “rearmament” policy, which involves €800 billion in EU spending on military arms.

Boylan was vocal about the planned spending hike by Brussels, stating in March, “it is disappointing that the EU has been able to find such a vast amount of money to fund this rearmament, while it has neglected funding for communities and for a just transition to tackle climate change.”

To illustrate her point, Boylan visited the Bluebell community centre and Familibase in Ballyfermot as an example of how Europe’s money can be better spent.

“I was lucky to visit some amazing community groups to see firsthand the amazing work that they do; these community groups are absolutely vital, stepping up in communities that have been abandoned by the government and supporting the local people.”

She said of the groups “they do work in helping build stronger, safer and more inclusive communities, and helping to give opportunities to young people to help them fulfil their full potential; the work they do every day has literally changed and saved the lives of people for decades.”

The Sinn Féin MEP said “unfortunately, the EU has suggested that money for supporting communities and tackling poverty could be cut to let the EU buy more weapons – this totally wrong.”

“Community groups, and the people that they support should not be the ones who pick up the tab for the increasing militarisation of the EU.”