In the aftermath of the No vote to Lisbon many people are asking what the EU stands for, how democratic and engaged with its citizens is it, and what is Ireland’s future within the union?
In light of such questions and a growing feeling among the public that the EU is aloof, unrepresentative, and that politicians are moving in directions citizens are uncomfortable with, a new Pro European group has been established in Galway.
Irish Friends of Europe is led by Niall McNelis, a local businessman an co-ordinator of the Yes campaign on behalf of the Alliance for Europe. The new group’s goal is to explain and create a better understanding of what exactly the various EU institutions do.
Irish Friends of Europe is determined to get people interested in and engaged with what is happening with the EU. As a result, in the run up to next year’s EU elections, IFE will stage a series of debates between all of the election candidates.
In the coming months the group will also host public information evenings across Connacht-Ulster with an emphasis on the roles of the parliament, commission, court of auditors, council of ministers, and to explain how decisions are made. Each meeting will have a high profile individual involved in those institutions.
Membership of the new group is cross party, and made up of business groups, academics, social organisations, people involved in the West of Ireland Alliance for Europe, and members of the public. The official launch and first meeting will be taking place at the end of September in Galway city.
“We hope these evenings of information/debate will be a source of gathering public opinion to our guest speakers,” said Mr McNelis, “and giving out the truth instead of scare mongering.”
