President of European Parliament jets in to Dublin to talk with young people

By Eoghan Dockrell

The Presidency of the European Parliament is a tenure that lasts for two and a half years. For the first time in the history of the European Union a Polish person holds this office. His name is Jerzy Buzek and he heads the second largest democratic body in the world, next to India.

On Tuesday morning he was in the Office of the European Parliament on Molesworth Street, Dublin. When he stepped up to the podium to speak, he gave a short introduction, focusing on the "most important" challenges ahead. This brevity was much appreciated by the many young people that turned out to listen. Then when the President opened up the floor, a lively questions and answers session began.

All sorts of people were asking all sorts of difficult, specific questions relating to EU affairs. He answered these lengthy, often complicated, questions without the aid of a translator. The absence of a translator put the President's English skills to the test. Early on in the discussion, after listening to a long and winding question, the President requested that all those who speak Polish, raise their hands. After a forest of hands shot up, he jokingly said “OK, the remainder of the press conference will be in Polish”.

Before responding to questions on the 800 pound Gorilla that is the Lisbon referendum, he was quick to point out that the trip to Ireland would not involve campaigning for either a Yes or a No vote. But nonetheless, his answers were undeniably pro-Europe-pro-Lisbon. He also made sure to stress that EU integration would never compromise or diminish the unique cultural identities of each member state. He continued, stating that “we will never be the United States of Europe”.

Other topics touched on included development aid and global warming. His answers to these general questions were impressive in their detail. He explained to the audience that the EU cannot go it alone. The EU has the power to influence other global players to improve environmental standards. The President said that "80 percent of all CO2 is absorbed by forests in Brazil". This piece of information was an excellent example to prove the point that we need global co-operation.

In answering a Lisbon-orientated question, Mr Buzac thought it necessary to speak about the newly added legal guarantees. He said he was confused when anti-Lisbon campaigners challenged the validity of these legal guarantees. He said that these guarantees were “forever”, and sceptics need only look to Denmark where similar legal guarantees were inserted twenty years ago and are still in force.

The final question dealt with the EU’s “military force”, or lack thereof. The person posing the question raised a valid point, explaining that the EU has influence in almost all other areas, except the military. The President conceded that, to a certain extent, she was correct. He was quick to restate that Ireland’s neutrality would not be at risk if the Lisbon treaty was ratified. However, he did leave food for thought, when he said that “yes Ireland is militarily neutral, but not politically neutral”.

He came across as an amiable man, evidently passionate about the EU. At one point he memorably proclaimed “what is better, to be alone, or to be together”, referring to the value of EU membership and the benefits of inter-state co-operation. Mr Buzek spent the guts of 90 minutes answering questions on a whole range of topics. The language barrier didn’t prevent him from providing substantive and satisfying answers. He may not have been in Ireland campaigning for a Yes Vote, but he certainly did a good job convincing the audience on the merits of the EU and the continued role it should play in Ireland's future.