THE affairs of the European Union must be made more open and easier to understand, according to the Taoiseach.
Mr Bruton, speaking in Dublin at the opening of Ireland's first European Public Information Centre, warned that some sections of the public viewed the EU "as a distant, bureaucratic and even threatening entity. The Union has a major task to perform to win the hearts and minds of European citizens".
The opening of the centre in Molesworth Street, Dublin, was particularly appropriate at this time, he said. Lack of public understanding of European issues posed a threat to the process of European integration.
EPIC will supply information to the public on Europe and European integration. It will stock EU publications and contains computer databases, an audiovisual theatre and a satellite link to Brussels which will transmit press briefings and other EU events to Dublin.
Irish non governmental organisations and development agencies protested against EU cuts in development aid outside the office during the official opening yesterday.
While aid for sub Saharan Africa was being cut substantially, aid to the Mediterranean region was being increased by 40 per cent, they said.
"While the need for aid to the EU's near neighbours is indisputable, this must not be at the expense of some of the world's poorest neighbours," according to Ms Sally Ann Kinahan of Oxfam, one of the organisations protesting. "The European Union is marginalising the needs of sub Saharan Africa to secure European interests in the Mediterranean region.