By Eoghan Dockrell
Member of the European Parliament? An undoubtedly grand title. After all, it is only bestowed on an exclusive 12 mortals every five years. Ireland (the Republic) is split into four battlegrounds, each arena with a host of competitors, all determined to end their quest in triumph. The contests are likened to a presidential race. This is because candidates need ‘name recognition’. Acquiring ‘name recognition’ is a considerable task and one in which mere local or general election candidates do not encounter. They fight on smaller battlefields. The prospective MEP, however, faces a far greater challenge. He/she must convince the masses.
Member of the European Parliament? An undoubtedly grand title. After all, it is only bestowed on an exclusive 12 mortals every five years. Ireland (the Republic) is split into four battlegrounds, each arena with a host of competitors, all determined to end their quest in triumph. The contests are likened to a presidential race. This is because candidates need ‘name recognition’. Acquiring ‘name recognition’ is a considerable task and one in which mere local or general election candidates do not encounter. They fight on smaller battlefields. The prospective MEP, however, faces a far greater challenge. He/she must convince the masses.
The top brass in Brussels have long championed the timeless slogan: the MEP represents his/her respective country in Europe. Looking at that lofty statement, surely member states would feel compelled to nominate their best and brightest? For instance, newly admitted Eastern block states have been eagar to impress and have consequently put forward distinguished domestic politicians. How long will it take for them to realise that, unfortunately, this 'best and brightest' criteria is not always a factor in the selection process for choosing MEP candidates.
This question was raised by John Bowman on a recent episode of Questions and Answers. Nearing the end of the program the presenter asked Mary Lou McDonald of Sinn Féin whether she would contest a possible general election if elected as an MEP. Mary Lou’s unconvincing response was essentially a non-answer. She clumsily avoided the question to the amusement of Eoin Ryan. Ryan interjected confidently saying "of course you’ll run". Mary Lou shot-back, "the question was directed at me, not you". Even after further pressing by Bowman she refused to give a definitive answer. This was all to the delight of Ryan who, coolly proclaimed to the audience ‘my bet is safe then’.
Elsewhere in Europe, similiar questions arise regarding a certain indifference towards the European Parliament is regarded with the same sort of indifference. In France for instance the national media has criticized President Sarkozy, suggesting that he is fielding washed-up politicians. Or like in the case of the failed justice Minister Rachida Dati, the perception seems to suggest that a nomination to the EP is a punishment. Opinion polls in France show only 40% percent of the electorate will come out and vote. Ireland's voter participation levels should be somewhat higher than the worrying French statistic.
The reason for this larger Irish turnout has little to do with a more euro-interested electorate. In reality, as Cathy Sinnott, Independent MEP, pointed out recently on RTE, Irish European elections benefit from local elections being held on the same date. However, rather bizarrely, turnout for local elections in Ireland in 2004 was still 2% higher than European election figures. Brian Crowley, Fianna Fáil MEP elaborated on this phenomenon, saying people must have entered the polling station, voted for their preferred local counsellors and then tossed the European ballot papers aside. These occurrences are surely a worrying indictment of how Irish people view European Politics.
In the past, it seemed like a never ending stream of funds poured into backwater Ireland from some bottomless bank account in Brussels. But in recent times, Ireland’s position within the EU has changed. We’re no longer the poor man of Europe, thus we’re no longer entitled to receive such generous EU sponsored grants. That’s the difference between then and now. Back then it didn’t really matter who got elected because we ultimately got the cash. Now, we must choose our representatives carefully. Who will get us the best deal in Europe? Which candidate will get us the greatest bang for our vote? The electorate need to realise that the EU pushed Ireland to the forefront of Europe once and it can help do the same again. Perhaps in the past the EU has not received the gratitude it deserves. This time around lets acknowledge the importance of the European Parliament by voting June 5th.
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