Event report

Munster Online Panel: Conference on the Future of Europe in Ireland. Representatives in Munster who work with youth groups, religious societies, community groups and the education sector among others met online on Thursday, 24 June 2021 to discuss issues of importance to them as part of the Conference on the Future of Europe. Key issues discussed by participants for the future of Ireland and the EU included health care, the digital transformation, agriculture and education. Health: There were strong, but mixed opinions on how the EU handled the vaccine rollout. Highlighting the superior healthcare systems in neighbouring EU countries, participants would like to see the EU ensure an equal standard of healthcare across the Union. There was universal praise for the European Health Insurance Card and it was emphasised that this resource should be maintained. Many participants highlighted the high cost of medicines and suggested that the EU play a bigger role in the purchasing of drugs to reduce costs for individual Member States. Some participants felt that in many ways, youth and marginalised communities were left behind during the pandemic. Digital Transformation: The people of Munster felt that better digital connectivity is needed for people in rural areas and on islands off the mainland who have limited broadband coverage. It was suggested that there needs to be support for Member States to develop options moving forward in terms of remote working and learning to cater to people’s needs and due to high levels of digital poverty. Some participants felt that Ireland should not be expected to independently set regulations for foreign social media companies that are based in Ireland and that this should be an EU responsibility. This followed a call for open access to quality research paid for by the EU that will help fight the spread of misinformation and improve digital literacy. EU in the World: Some contributors thought that there is a need for a physical EU army, while others referenced cyber security systems as the main area of defence that the EU should to focus on. People in Munster called for reflection on multilateral relations, support for the accession of new countries to the EU and the development of new relationships between Ireland and other EU countries post-Brexit. There was general agreement that Ireland’s values and principles line up with those of the EU. However, discrimination against LGBTQI+ rights in Hungary and the banning of the hijab in France were two issues that people felt the EU should act on. What participants were not in agreement on, was how far the EU should go and whether funding should be linked to the rule of law principles. Agriculture and Environment: People taking part expressed frustration with CAP and reaffirmed the need for continued support by the EU for agricultural communities, as they move to more sustainable forms of farming. Several people felt it was unfair that Irish farmers are being discouraged from producing peat briquettes and turf, yet the same products are being imported from other EU countries and sold in local Irish shops, and called for the EU to be more clear in their communications in situations such as these. The group encouraged the EU to shift away from building roads and to move towards more climate friendly infrastructure such as public transport, electric chargers and cycling lanes. Education and Culture: Despite the mix of opinions, a common theme throughout the discussion was that space needs to be created in our curriculum for European affairs outside what is currently in place, to teach students more about the EU and what it can offer its citizens. Many in the group expressed disappointment that European languages are not prioritised in Irish schools. The people of Munster suggested that citizens should have the choice of when they wish to retire and that the EU could introduce back to work supports for people in the 50+ age group who are willing and able to continue working. Similarly, they also felt that young people need to be incorporated into decision making processes on issues that directly involve them. Contribution from Minister of State for European Affairs, Thomas Byrne TD: Minister of State for European Affairs, Thomas Byrne TD, addressed attendees at the start of the Munster online meeting, stating that the Conference on the Future of Europe will play an important role in allowing us to review where we are as a Union of 450 million people but also Ireland’s place there as well. Minister Byrne commented that there is a huge opportunity here for people to get involved at every level. “The Conference on the Future of Europe is an unprecedented and invaluable opportunity for citizens all around Europe to make their voices heard on the future direction of our Union.” Summary: Participants in Munster called for EU action on the Rule of Law, reflection on our multilateral relations and support for agricultural communities as they move to more sustainable forms of farming. A prominent message from the people in Munster was that more education is needed around the area of EU affairs and languages in order to grow our sense of European citizenship and preserve our place in the EU for generations to come. This panel discussion was organised by European Movement Ireland supported by the Department of Foreign Affairs as part of a series of similar such events being organised around the country as part of the Conference on the Future of Europe. This meeting has been amalgamated with similar panels over a number of months to create a comprehensive proposal which you can view here: https://www.europeanmovement.ie/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/Report-on-the-Regional-and-Thematic-Panels-on-the-Conference-on-the-Future-of-Europe-held-by-the-European-Movement-Ireland.pdf