50th EU Anniversary Approaches

By HANNAH WALSH TY, Colaiste Treasa

The EU’s founding values are “human dignity, freedom, democracy, and respect for human rights”. The EU is important to me for its core values and promotion of equality.

As a young person growing up in the European Union, it provided a sense of security and stability. Knowing our country is protected from extreme economic collapse and war provides a great peace of mind. It allows many people to focus on their futures without worrying about the present. The EU is fully inclusive and all citizens have equal rights across the whole of the continent. You can travel, work, study and access fair healthcare no matter where you are. This is even more relevant to me now as I consider career and further education options. For citizens of the EU to have these choices opens many doors we would otherwise only be able to dream of. Many of my parents’ generation saw no other option but to emigrate, and third level education in Ireland wasn’t even an option for most of my grandparents age group.

When Ireland joined the Union it was a relatively underdeveloped country. The EU provided finance, support, and expertise to improve infrastructure and living standards. The effects can be seen in most aspects of life from education, to health care, to facilities. The membership of the Union also made Ireland attractive for foreign direct investment as companies had access to the single European market of over 500 million people. All of this has helped to raise Ireland to sixth in the world GDP rankings. This has resulted in a huge choice of careers available to my peers, and emigration is now choice rather than a necessity.

The EU’s Common Agricultural Policy supports Irish farmers as well as the development of the country’s rural communities by investing in projects that improve living conditions in the countryside and helping rural businesses to become more competitive. Farmers who would otherwise not have been able to make a living are now able to farm their land and contribute to Ireland’s food production and economic output. The European Union also emphasizes sustainable farming and reducing carbon output to combat climate change. Ireland has been allocated EU funds of up to €13.3 billion between 2021 and 2027 to help with its transition to a low-carbon economy. The member states collaboration will be a significant effort in the fight against climate change.

As Ireland nears its 50th anniversary of joining the EU, it has proven to be very successful. It has most certainly given me brighter prospects and makes me optimistic and enthusiastic about the future.

Hannah Walsh has been celebrated in a variety of areas, including the BT Young Scientist

Photo by Sheila Fitzgerald