Minister hails EU involvement

Ireland’s experience of the European Union has been “overwhelmingly positive”, the Minister for European Affairs said today.

Launching the details of next week’s "Europe Week" which takes place in Galway, Noel Treacy said that Ireland had contributed to as well as gained from the European Union.

The Europe Week programme will see a highprofile series of events, designed to showcase the European experience from a number of perspectives.

Speaking at today’s launch, Mr Treacy said: “This is a very important time for Europe, as the new countries of the EU settle into membership and the ratification process for the European Constitution is underway.

“Ireland’s experience as a member of the European Union has been overwhelmingly positive.

“The benefits that have accrued to us as a nation have been far-reaching and are widely appreciated, by most Irish people.

“But as well as enjoying the fruits that this membership has brought, we have also contributed significantly to the EU and its development,” he added.

Europe Week, which runs from May 14 to May 21 in Galway, will highlight the importance of Europe to millions of people, the minister said.

In addition to the European Union Science Olympiad, which will see 150 science students and their mentors from across Europe competing against each other, there will also be a programme of events, seminars and exhibitions.

Among those involved in Europe week are NUI Galway, the Irish Business and Employers Confederation (IBEC), the Institute of European Affairs, the European Commission, the Galway-Mayo Institute of Technology and Galway Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

The programme will feature a number of expert speakers from the fields of education, science, politics and business, as well as European Affairs ministers from the new EU countries.