Sign in. It’s quick, free and it’s up to you.
An account is an optional way to support the work we do. Find out more.
TOMORROW, 50 YEARS ago, on New Year’s Day 1973, Ireland officially joined the European Communities – what would later become the European Union.
This event was the catalyst for a remarkable transformation of our nation. Progress has been neither linear nor constant, but it has been profound and indisputable: We are living more than a decade longer than we did in 1973, we are far better educated at all levels and we have access to vast opportunities to get jobs across many sectors.
There is however no room for complacency.
There are challenges to be faced today that far surpass those of the past. The inventory is as long as it is familiar: Climate change, inflation, energy, Brexit, and sadly, the illegal war against Ukraine. These are collective problems that can, by definition, only be resolved through collaboration and cooperation with our EU and other partners.
That is why our place at the heart of our Union is more important than ever.
Yes to Europe
Irish people, I believe, have always understood this importance. In 1972 over 83% of voters said ‘Yes’ to joining Europe; in the most recent poll, 88% agreed Ireland should remain a member of the EU.
For many in 1972, it was the economic costs and benefits that were weighed most carefully. They could have hardly imagined that over the next 50 years our long history of emigration would be reversed, and our streets instead filled with new accents and languages.
Or that Europe could provide the shared space where people like John Hume would eventually be successful in loosening the constrictor knot of conflict. For those who suffered on the margins of society – whether because of gender, sexual orientation, or because they were simply deemed different – it would have been difficult to imagine that Ireland could grow to become more generous in spirit and more kind in its thinking.
And few, in turn, would have dared imagine that we would come to play a pivotal role in the building of our shared European home. More than 10 million European students have benefitted from the Erasmus programme.
Every day, travellers across the EU roam freely because Ireland pioneered the idea of removing roaming charges, and it was Ireland who welcomed 10 new member states – the largest ever expansion of our union – during our “Day of Welcomes” in 2004.
Ireland’s voice
Our story lends credibility to the EU. Over 50 years we have gone from lagging to leading. We have shaped how our Union has grown and have used our voice in important moments to ensure that our values are always protected.
As we look to the next 50 years, we must do more at all levels of society to engage more with the EU. Ireland is now considered to be a central and old member state, one which is expected to lead.
For those who wish to emulate our path of progress, we must share with them the lessons of our own journey. For those who have veered from their path, we must remind them that our shared European values cannot be compromised. The internal threats to these values, particularly the rule of law, are not to be taken lightly.
Peace takes work
We must remain vigilant against any attempts to ignore our core values and robust in calling out when other Member States fail to meet the standard, they have set for themselves.
It is our values that set us apart and it is our values that remind us that Europe’s most sacred task remains its first: Peace. The Schuman Declaration – the foundation stone of our Union – is a testament to the possibilities of imagination.
Today, we need a renewed imagination, one that can help us navigate a just transition to a more sustainable way of life, and one that is resolute in its opposition to Russia’s unjust war and steadfast in its support for Ukraine’s right to peacefully exist amongst the nations of the world.
Now, 50 years on there are approximately 70,000 Ukrainian refugees living in our communities and in our homes. As Ukraine progresses on its path to accession to the European Union, we would do well to remember that this remarkable act of generosity is also a manifestation of that great European imagination.
The dual identity of Irish and European is one we wear lightly and with ease. We have today the cautious confidence of peace on our island, the collective experience of cooperation and the spirit of imagination that will guide us to another 50 years of European success.
Our shared European future is bright.
Micheál Martin is Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs. He is a TD for Cork South-Central.
To embed this post, copy the code below on your site
Abbott is inexcusably thick and no more than a Rupert Murdoch stooge. The sooner he’s gone, the better for Australia.
Australia deserves better.
And the smell of onion on his breath would knock a horse!
Agreed, it’s great news. Don’t know a lot about Australian politics but I do know that Tony Abbot is a racist and vile misogynist.
You can find racism a lot closer to home. Have a look at any article about refugees…
completely agree with you monty but this will keep the liberals in power since Turnbull is more popular with libral voters. With Abott as pm, the libral party didnt stand a chance…now its just a different jockey on the same horse. Ultimately i doubt Turnbull will do anything different.
Monty , right first time u don’t know a lot .
Good point, Game – Turnbull is probably more diplomatic and less overtly bigoted and therefore less of a liability than Abbott and more likely to ensure the Liberal Party stay in power. He still represents a party with deplorable principles and if he increases their chance of maintaining power that is indeed undesirable.
And Tony has gone and the revolving door of the PMs office continues. Thankfully, Abbott is gone who was a PM of slogans and rhetoric. The fact that Murdoch dislikes Turnbull has to be a positive thing for the country, surely. Turnbull is a self made man, Abbott has never done anything but politics………enough said.
“Abbott is inexcusably thick”
Tony Abbott is a Rhode Scholar.
I can’t stand the guy. I find his politics and his character equally reprehensible. But whatever his failings, he can’t possibly be as stupid as he looks.
A Rhodes Scholarship merely means one has the ability to study and pass exams, Abbott has consistently demonstrated he’s as thick as two short planks. His entire policy agenda during his tenure as PM consisted of three word slogans two of which where always “Stop the..”. One thing voters hate more than being taken for fools but is being taken as dumb. Abbott’s singular most enduring success was achieving unanimous consensus among conservative and progressive political commentators that his was the worst government in Australian history by every criteria. That takes a special kind of dumb!
No, he’s stupid alright, he could have stayed in power if he had been patient and not tried to force all of his right wing tea party conservative bullshit all at once.
His biggest mistake was he thought he’d won the election because people loved him. He won because the previous government imploded spectacularly. A bit like Enda really…
No opposition ever wins an election, governments lose them.
Sir Prince Phillip. I can’t stop laughing. Yes Australia. Get rid of this idiot.
gday mate hahahhahahahahahhahaha
Apparently the leadership challenge was decided by a knifey spooney contest.
A change in leadership would be a positive move. Here’s hoping.
Please please please get rid of him. Turnbull is not the saviour but he’s a hell if a lot better than Abbott.
Great news. Gotten rid of a bible bashing, monarchy loving, backwards plank and replacing him with a pro gay marriage, pro environment and articulate prime minister. That’s progress.
What being pro gay is the first criteria for a prime minister !!
that’s probably why Abbott got the boot. He wouldn’t support gay marriage, so he had to go.
It’s more what that represents I.e they’re not stuck in the 19th century.
They are hoping to Shorten the odds!
With Mr. Abbott it’s a toss up as to whether he is totally arrogant or just stupid.
Both.
We have a new PM . Yes.
Whatever about the pros and cons of the people in question, if I were Australian, I would be deeply uncomfortable at the tendency of governing parties in Australia to change leaders, and thus PM’s, without seeking a fresh mandate from the electorate.
I can’t think of any other western democracy where this happens.
The last time an Australian Prime Minister served a full term the iPhone hadn’t been invented.
out of interest, the people of Australia voted against Turnbull when he was leader. kind of like the hatred noonan becoming leader again (and automatic taoiseach).
The people never got the chance to vote on Turnbull last time as he was knifed by his own because he was too moderate and wasn’t far right enough for them.
The hand that wields the knife shall never wear the crown
That’s not a knife!
Thankfully, we have Australia giving us an example of how to change leaders mid-term.
Enda deserves to know how Tony feels.
Abbot is a smart man let down by his people skills , Turnbull is a much better communicator . But the Labour Party are very weak bill shorten looks like the substitute teacher no one listens to and albanese ain’t any better
There’s no “Labour” party in Australia
No Abbott is an idiot who failed to capitalise on being handed power.
Yes!
The Australian Liberal (politically conservative) Party may deserve to lose the next Australian general election, as a result of hastily stabbing their relatively young Prime Minister in the back. By taking this course, the Liberal Party have proven themselves to be no better than their rivals – the Australian Labor Party – who were disloyal to their own prime ministers even before the Australian people had a chance to pass a verdict on them at the ballot box.
Tony Abbot deserved the opportunity to make his case before the Australian people in his country’s general election next year. The fact that he was betrayed, robbed of the right to do this by his very own party may result in Australian voters taking a dim view of the Liberals for not giving Tony Abbott a “fair go”, in addition to a very public back-stabbing and betrayal. The fact is that Mr Abbott won a general election, as recently as 2013, as his party’s leader. He had earned the right to defend his premiership at next year’s general election.
In fairness, the Australian people didn’t know just how much a tosser this guy was when they elected him.
John when back benchers fear for their seats in the next election wright or wrong has nothing to do with it. They would have got hammered in the next election under Abbott now at least they have some chance. Politics the world over has noting to do with having principles or being good or bad, it is all about re-election at least now they have some chance. Politics is all about self preservation.
@John – The Liberals had next to no chance of being re-elected with Abbott leading the party. This is actually a blow to the people that would like to see the Liberals out next term, they’re a stronger opponent without him.
There would be very few people saying Tony didn’t get a fair go, he did and c*cked it up at every opportunity, even those that would’ve originally backed his party and policies quickly realised he is bad for business and a complete embarrassment.
There’ll be very few people not celebrating this news today.
‘How ya’ – what chance have our children got when adults write like this?
Well Tap……don’t write and don’t have children.
Oi, Mr Prime Minister…..ANDY!!!!
And I care why?
Go back to your bread and circuses, the grown-ups are talking.
This result will cause huge division within the Australian Liberal Party making it much harder for them to govern effectively, and even to win reelection.
Looks like ‘game, set and match’ where the Australian government are concerned.
have your say