Irish education system must take ‘Europe’ and languages seriously

One of the long-standing weaknesses in Ireland’s education system has been an inability to produce second- and third-level students who are linguistically competent

The EU’s concours examination is the career entry route into the EU’s varied institutions and agencies.

Ireland should feel justifiably proud of the contribution its nationals have made within the EU institutions over the last half century. Familiar names such as Pat Cox, Catherine Day, Paschal Donohoe, Emily O’Reilly, David O’Sullivan, and Peter Sutherland have all served with great distinction at either the administrative or political level across different EU institutions.

But away from the limelight, Irish officials at different levels have also helped the country punch above its weight in Brussels and EU capitals.