50 years of EU membership
OPINION
By Thomas Byrne, TD, Minister of State at the Department of the Taoiseach and at the Department of Foreign Affairs
The 22nd January 2022 marked 50 years since Ireland signed the Treaty of Accession, to join what would become the European Union.
Just as the recent 100-year anniversary of the handover of Dublin Castle has given us an opportunity to reflect on how far our nation State has come since independence, the 50th anniversary of the signing of the Treaty of Accession allows us to consider our more recent past and our relationship with the European Union.
Over the next 18 months, a series of political and public events will be held to mark the 50th anniversary of Ireland’s entry to the then European Economic Community. These events will afford us the opportunity to consider the benefits that membership of the European Union has brought, and also the future of Europe and Ireland’s role within it. I encourage every citizen to fully engage with this exciting series of events.
I ask you to think back to 1971 and 1972. Ireland was a very different place: Internment without trial was introduced in Northern Ireland; contraceptives were banned; married women were not permitted to work as public servants.
Membership of the European Union brought with it consequent improvements in almost all aspects of Irish life, from how we work; to how we travel; to how we learn; to how we farm.
While the economic benefits of membership often grabs the headlines (not only did we gain access to the single market, but we have also received over €40 billion since we joined), we should not lose sight of the smaller and more incremental improvements since we joined the European Union.
Irish citizens can now live and work freely in any member state, enjoying equal treatment in accessing employment and working conditions. Irish students can avail of the Erasmus programme and study all across Europe. Irish farmers avail of the EU’s Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) and its income supports.
Our environment is now subject to greater protection than ever before, across areas such as water pollution, waste disposal, air quality and preservation of natural habitats. Irish citizens can travel to any EU member state without the need for a visa.
As we reflect on how the European Union has changed almost all aspects of our lives for the better, we need to also consider our role and responsibilities with this union of states and what challenges lie ahead in the next 50 years.
We are currently at a significant moment in our shared history. We face existential challenges that we have never faced before. Brexit, climate change, Covid-19, violence against women, are all causes of great concern and anxiety for us all.
These challenges extend beyond the borders of our towns, counties and indeed, our country. These are challenges that all countries face. I firmly believe that the only way we can effect meaningful change in our modern, globalised world is through collective action.
Membership of the European Union allows Ireland to speak in unison with the 26 other member states, to ensure that our collective voice is heard.
That collective voice is, in truth, the voice of the 448 million citizens of the European Union. It is your voice. It is my voice.
It is therefore essential to ensure that you have you say; that your voice is heard; that you take this opportunity to engage with this wonderful programme of events to ensure that the collective voice reflects the voice of the individual.