Call for debate on impact of EU on North

There needs to be more debate about the day-to-day impact of the European Union on people in Northern Ireland, it was claimed today.

Sinn Féin European Parliament candidate Bairbre de Brun told a seminar at Queen’s University up to 70% of all legislation affecting Northern Ireland originated in Brussels.

However she said unlike other parts of the EU, the impact of these policies were only felt when the legislation was being implemented locally.

“In other parts of the EU there is a substantial and lively engagement with EU issues well before the eventual passing of laws in national or regional Parliaments,” the former Stormont Health Minster said.

“There is a great need for a more open and democratic engagement with the role played by the EU in the lives of ordinary people here.”

Ms de Brun said politicians had a crucial role to play in drawing to the public’s attention issues which were going to affect them in the future whether it was community funding, equality measures or the reform of the Common Agricultural Policy.

The West Belfast MLA said journalists should also give more prominence to European Union issues.

“We need to be discussing issues while they are in the early stages of development, rather than after the decision has been made,” she said.

“This will enable citizens to input into policy-making in a more meaningful way.”

Sinn Féin’s European Parliament candidate the women’s sector and farming community were ahead of other sections of society in their level of engagement with the EU’s structures and offered a model for others to follow.

However she said groups needed support and resourcing if their interests were going to be protected and promoted in Brussels and Strasbourg.

“For too long people here have paid too little attention to the impact of the EU locally,” she said in a debate which also featured Evelyn Collins from the Equality Commission and NICVA’s Seamus McAleavey.

“In light of the ongoing negotiations on the EU constitution and the impact of enlargement this attitude needs to change.”