ENNIS STUDENTS quizzed MEPs on the rise of the far-right, challenging misinformation and the role of the European Union.
Mayor of the Ennis Municipal District, Cllr Clare Colleran Molloy (FF) hosted an event to mark Europe Day (May 9th) on Friday at The Old Ground Hotel which placed a focus on EU and local dialogue.
Ireland South MEPs, Billy Kelleher (FF) and Cynthia Ní Mhurchú were in attendance along with Clare TD, Cathal Crowe (FF), Senator Margaret Murphy O’Mahony (FF), Cllr Antoinette Baker Bashua (FF), Cllr Pat Hayes (FF), Cllr Michael Shannon (FF), Cllr Pat Daly (FF) and Cllr Rachel Haritgan (FF).
Students from St Flannan’s College, Coláiste Muire, Ennis Community College and Gaelcholáiste an Chláir put questions to the MEPs from the floor.
Opening the event, Cllr Colleran Molloy shared her experience as a member of the Committee of the Regions which has seen her join the Southern Regional Assembly but also become a frequent visitor to the European Parliament in Brussels. “Hopefully Clare Colleran Molloy will someday go beyond local politics and we will see her in the Dáil or Europe,” remarked Ní Mhurchú.
According to MEP Kelleher, “the EU is the most successful peace process ever” and has been “very helpful to Ireland”. He added, “In 1973, we were poorest country in Europe, lower GDP than Albania, now we are second richest”. He said, “We have to be very conscious that democracy is fragile and has to be minded”.
Clodagh Barry questioned if the EU was still suffering the effects from Brexit. MEP Ní Mhurchú stated in response, “In a word no. I think EU is not feeling the affects but Britain is, the British economy is still feeling the effects, unfortunately it was a very unusual thing that happened, a misplaced and ill-judged commitment that was made by a Tory leader to have this Brexit poll, it suddenly gained traction and became a reality. For me Brexit represents the power misinformation and disinformation can have over voters”.
When asked how the rise of the far-right and misinformation by groups “who hide under freedom of speech” can be tackled, Cynthia commented, “Through the law, as legislatiors and public regulators we work through rule of law, I was a barrister for a long time”. She told students that they need to be able to trust the source of where they are consuming their news, “you need to trust the source of where you are getting this feed from, some of it is really reprehensible and vile, some of it is totally sloppy, don’t think it sounds elite or snobby to put faith in Irish Times, Irish Independent or RTÉ where I worked, these are the reputable sources”.
Underlying issues leading to the growth of the far-right are not being addressed, Kelleher maintained. “21% of people of the largest country in EU, Germany voted for far-right. It unifies centre and far-left but the difficulty is the far-right is getting bigger, we might be united but we are getting smaller. Am I worried? I am very concerned that we are not addressing the underlying issues. The amount of misinformation is just at levels we couldn’t countenance years ago”.
In a joint question from Lauren Hannon and Jennifer McCarthy, they asked how the EU would be influenced if Donald Trump introduces tariffs in the US. Kelleher said there is “potential of the US creeping into a recession. If this lasts a long time, we don’t know whether it will or not because Donald Trump is very unpredictable, it could have a real impact on Irish people, if Irish products are dear going into the US then they won’t be purchased and people will lose jobs. That is the real issue, how long will the uncertainty last”.
On the biggest challenges facing the EU, Kelleher stated, “the biggest threats will come from Europe on whether we continue to accept difference, diversity, the freedom of press and rule of law. That is the challenge of human nature in general. We are sliding in many countries on the issue of tolerance”.
Deputy Crowe told students, “we need to stand up to the bullies in the school yad like Benjamin Netanyahu and Donald Trump”. He also predicted, “I believe in your lifetime you will get a vote on a United Ireland”.
Doonbeg has a very important role in relations between Ireland and America, Cynthia flagged. “We’re all hoping Doonbeg will save Ireland and that relations with Ireland and the US can be maintained and strengthened. We know the big elephant in the room is the pharmaceutical companies, Trump is on a march, we need good politicians from Ireland like Cathal Crowe, the Tánaiste, councillors, Senators, meeting the people behind Trump to talk real sense and get away from his reality TV type politics”.
Whether there will ever be a European army was also put to MEPs. “I don’t believe we will have a European army under the auspices of the EU simply because the EU doesn’t have a government,” Kelleher said. He referenced plans in Denmark that will be in place from July 1st where every girl who becomes eighteen will have to do mandatory military training for eleven month, “we are in a changed world”.
According to Colleran Molloy, “the conscription of young women is directly in response to Trump narrative on Greenland, there is an impact and consequence in every word the President says”. She added, “We’re an island and removed from the frontline but surrounded by very important cables, telecommunications network coming from US to Ireland, we know there has been monitoring of the cables by the Russians, how do we continue to assert this independent and neutrality and at same time have exposure”.
“Young people should not be worrying about conscription, they should be worrying about if their phone is charged and going to the Queens on Saturday night,” remarked Deputy Crowe.
Questions posed by the next generation left Cllr Hayes pleased with their engagement. “The key one here today is in all your pockets, your phone, the misinformation and lack of proper information you are engaging in and how the media are actually filtering information into you every day, we’re all party to that, the phone is the computer now, be careful that it doesn’t become your truth. You see it on the sporting world, the headline and everything. The discussion on Europe is very important, Ireland has boxed above its weight, we can proud of our MEPs today and how they have debated and got involved”.
Cllr Shannon referenced the comments by Crowe on the importance of focusing on the positives. “Our TD said a vital thing to you, the small things ye value, phones, exams, sporting career, academic career, these are the things ye should be thinking about, ye are here engaging with senior reps in Europe, the EU has the same values as we have here together, we all make up the EU, the way we address each other, our tolerance, our views on sexuality on everything, it is all broad and open, ye are the future of Europe, what ye are going to do will shape Europe in the future”.
An instant world is a dangerous place, warned Cllr Baker Bashua. “The world ye live in is instant, if I said something as a teenager maybe the six people would tell 12 people, by the end of the day 32 people know. The mistakes ye make are instant. It is up to ye to fix our mistakes by asking the questions and getting the proper answers. It is up to ye to inform yourselves going forward”.
Senator Murphy O’Mahony said “the future of Clare is very bright” based on the “very intelligent questions” posed by secondary school students.
Involvement in politics was encouraged by Cllr Hartigan,” Politics as a young person can feel very removed, it is how we made decisions together, I wasn’t a political expert, I started my campaign when I was 21, I was terrified, young people energy, ideas and often bring to the table what we can do, they often bring to the table what we can as opposed to what we can’t. Not a lot of young people involved, you don’t have to be a politician to be involved. Get involved and always reach out”.
“Never be afraid to challenge, question and hold the people in account who make the decisions,” Kelleher said in his concluding remarks.
Ní Mhurchú added, “If you can’t see it you can’t be it, Rachel H is the youngest Cllr in Ireland. I want all ye young men and women in the room and anyone who identifies as anything to please get involved”. She continued, “Carpe diem, seize the day, life is wonderful. Go for it, enjoy it, be kind to people along the way, be quietly confident but be happy. Look after your mental health”.
