Jennifer Murnane O'Connor (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister of State. Ireland’s 50th anniversary in the EU is a major milestone in its history. It is an honour for me to mark a successful 50 years of membership of the EU by celebrating Europe Day 2033. I was delighted to participate in the celebrations in Carlow this morning. We had a really big event. I thank Carlow County Development Partnership, including Ms Annette Fox, for working with all the various agencies and communities that were present. There was food, song and dance. It was an absolute privilege to be present for a few hours this morning. Broadcasters from the local radio station, KCLR, were present. The community spirit was absolutely brilliant. Carlow is one of 17 local authorities that organised events in towns across Ireland to mark EU50 through special funding made available by the Department of Foreign Affairs. It was so important that we played our part this morning in County Carlow to ensure we recognised the work done over the past 50 years.

It has been great to grow up at the heart of Europe. So many of us cannot remember an Ireland that was not in the European Union. I spoke to many younger people today and said this. The younger children from all the schools present today were learning and it was lovely to see it. Many Ministers visited schools in the past few days. It is important that we celebrate and let everybody know what has happened in the past 50 years, and it was really important to do so this morning.

We have seen the result of support from our neighbours during the Brexit negotiations, in our ability to retain the common travel area and, of course, in the protocol. We may be out on our own at the west of Europe but we never feel alone because of our close relationship with the EU. We are simply better together. As John Hume famously said, the European Union is the best example in the history of the world of conflict resolution. Having already marked 25 years of the Good Friday Agreement, it is important that we remember that. It is history in the making. It is so important that we remember Mr. Hume’s words on days like this.

We are lucky to be able to welcome the women and children fleeing war in Urkaine and help them to live in a safe environment and enjoy this lovely country of ours. The people from my county, County Carlow, and County Kilkenny, have worked so hard and the responses have been brilliant. Everybody worked together, which is so important. The most important things are to encourage peace and end war. It was said this morning that we need peace and to ensure we end the war. That was lovely. This morning when I was talking to people who are now my friends, it was lovely to talk to them about being in Europe and how we welcome them. We have now made friendships with Ukrainians. Having listened to their stories, we need to do what we can.

Europe Day 2033 marks the culmination of the Government’s EU50 programme, which has been celebrating key milestones. In light of the 50 years of Ireland’s EU membership, since its decision to join the European Economic Community on 22 January 1972, it is great to see so much of the celebration this year being about our young people and how they see Europe. As a spokesperson for children, I, for one, believe the message we were circulating this morning through talking and explaining was lovely. Again, I can only just say how important that is.

Over the past 50 years, Ireland has made remarkable progress but has also contributed so much to the development of our modern EU. We should be proud to celebrate all that has been achieved. I look forward to the next 50 years. Again, I believe today is a really good day and it is important that we acknowledge it. As I said this morning, the event in Carlow was lovely and I was delighted and proud of it.

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