Ireland needs more than MEPs in EU

Irish politicians have played a storied role at the heart of Europe, but their influence is waning and work is needed to address an impending fall-off in top jobs, writes Mary C Murphy.

BETWEEN May 22 and 25, European citizens from 28 member states will democratically choose 751 MEPs to take their seats in the European Parliament. We should not underestimate the task we face as voters in choosing who will represent and communicate our best interests at the heart of the EU. But nor should we be blinded to the fact that in Europe’s heartland, Ireland needs more than its MEPs.

We are all familiar with the presence of high-profile Irish political figures in Brussels. Most Irish European commissioners have been drawn from the ranks of the Irish cabinet. It is likely Ireland’s next nominee for the commission will share that background.

Many of us are also at least cursorily acquainted with the names and profiles of incumbents and candidates for seats in the parliament. However, the Irish presence in Brussels (the headquarters of the EU) is more substantial and more numerous than this.

For a small state, Ireland’s record in securing high-profile and powerful positions within the administrative ranks of the EU institutions is singularly impressive. Former ombudsman Emily O’Reilly currently occupies the position of European ombudsman. Catherine Day, from Dublin is secretary general of the European Commission and the highest-ranked EU official in Brussels. She succeeded another Irish person, David O’Sullivan, who has since had a distinguished career as chief operations officer of the European External Action Service and was recently appointed EU ambassador to the US. This highest of EU ambassadorial roles was previously held by John Bruton, a former taoiseach.

It is clear that throughout 40-plus years of membership of the EU, Ireland has been disproportionately represented at senior administrative levels in the EU’s major institutions. This pattern is less pronounced at lower administrative levels, but here, again, Irish officials are present. All of these officials, and many more since 1973, have dedicated their professional careers to serving the EU.

Their nationality is important, but not overwhelmingly so. What is important are the knowledge, skills, attitudes, and values they bring to their roles. However, as the retirement of senior Irish Brussels-based officials looms, the prospect of a lesser Irish presence is becoming very real.

There are fewer younger Irish available to replace their more senior colleagues, and furthermore, today’s Irish graduates are not qualifying in sufficient numbers for EU positions or internships.

This trend is likely being affected by the diminishing range and choice of European studies programmes and modules in Irish universities, and by low fluency levels in a second language. It may also reflect a broader public disinterest in the EU and the limited (or maybe discredited) appeal of public service. Collectively, these developments mitigate against a strong Irish presence within the various EU administrations.

The absence of Irish officials is troublesome. It is not political figures alone who influence the EU landscape. We need knowledgeable and skilled administrators, too. We need leaders and innovators, problem-solvers and pioneers, thinkers and trailblazers.

We need a new generation of Irish men and women who are interested in the EU and who are qualified and equipped to work there. In serving the EU, these officials serve Ireland, too, by positively influencing the European environment within which we all live and work.

The factors which disallow a strong Irish presence in Brussels can be overcome but it will require some reorientation in how we protect and project the interests of the State. Knowledge and understanding is key, and so, rolling out an enhanced civic education to all Irish schoolchildren is imperative. In addition, there is value in embedding the study of the EU across a diverse range of university programmes, and in determinedly encouraging the study of international languages. Elevating the quality of political and public debate on the EU and placing worth on public service are similarly vital. Then can we hope to produce a new and strong generation of skilled and competent Irish-EU officials. Amid the hype of the European election campaigns, we would do well to remember that in serving Ireland, we need more than MEPs at the heart of the EU. And therein lie some important challenges and choices for this and future Irish generations.

* Dr Mary C Murphy is a lecturer in politics with the department of government at University College Cork.