Cork head of European Movement welcomes strong EU support in government plan

The chief executive of European Movement Ireland has welcomed the inclusion of the country’s strong support of the EU in the Draft Programme for Government but expressed disappointment at the lack of mentions for civil society and the non-profit sector in the document.

Noelle O’Connell, who hails from Blarney, told The Echo the organisation would welcome if the Government would include words aimed at supporting a ‘strong and robust civil society’ in the document, which is to be discussed at regional meetings by Fine Gael members this weekend as well as at a Fianna Fáil special ard fheis on Sunday.

“Civil society advocates, articulates, champions, and represents voices that may not always be heard,” said Ms O’Connell. “Given the increasingly complex geopolitical world order we are seeing, not least within our own European borders, I think Ireland has a strong role to play in championing and being a role model for upholding the values which we as a people and a community hold dear and on which Europe was founded.”

Ambitious

Ms O’Connell welcomed ‘an ambitious plan to strengthen Ireland’s role within the European Union, in particular, its commitment to increase Irish applications for jobs within the EU Institutions, funding Northern Ireland students to participate in the Erasmus programme, the John Hume Fund for reconciliation, promoting EU enlargement, continuing support for Ukraine and the advancement of a two state solution to achieve peace in Israel and Palestine, as hope of a ceasefire emerges this weekend’.

“European Movement Ireland is hopeful that the government will support initiatives in strengthening civic space, which contributes to a healthy and functioning democracy and also forms part of the European Commissioner for Democracy, Justice, the Rule of Law and Consumer Protection Michael McGrath’s portfolio.”

The organisation is calling for the following in the Programme for Government; protections for civil society; clearer commitments and targets to increase the number of Irish people working in EU institutions; ensuring the implementation of the EU Pact on Migration and Asylum complies with human rights standards; and the publication of a timeline for a referendum on the Unified Patent Court after its deferral in April 2024.