The issue of how elected MEPs might alter things for young people in Ireland was the main topic for candidates in the Dublin constituency during a hustings debate last night.
The event was organised by the National Youth Council of Ireland, website Spunout.ie, and the Union of Students of Ireland. It took place in the Science Gallery in Trinity College, Dublin, and was attended by Socialist Party candidate Paul Murphy, Green Party candidate Eamon Ryan, Direct Democracy Ireland candidate Raymond Whitehead, and Fis Nua candidate Damon Matthew Wise.
It was put to the candidates that their contributions in the European parliament would equate to just “a drop in the ocean”.
Mr Ryan said this problem could be tackled by forming groupings within the parliament. “If you can get that grouping on one of the committees then you can actually do a lot of work. It’s a collaborative role, working with the other members of that committee and trying to influence legislation.
"Europe is trying to shape what the global economy is doing. If we set the rules in a certain way, Europe is big enough to set the nature of international development. That is what the first key role is."
Political agendas
Mr Murphy rejected the concept of "collegiality" among Irish MEPs, and said it was not likely they could all work together due to their differing political agendas.
"On the collegiality issue, we are not out there to all pull on the green jersey and work together. We have different policies to Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil. Austerity doesn't just come from Leinster House – it also comes from the European Parliament. We want to be a voice against the austerity consensus, and be a voice for the people rather than the banks."
Economy moving
Mr Wise said he would seek to engage more people in decision-making. "That will drive communities to get the economy moving in areas where it has been failing. Irrespective of whether I get elected as an MEP, I want to assist people in local communities."
On the question of job-creation for young people, Mr Whitehead said: "I'm not too sure – I haven't thought about this too much. My whole raison d'être is to raise awareness about the scope to change the system and allow people have their say directly.
“I know there are people out there who have the solutions to these problems we have. The greatest resource we have is our people.
"If you can tap into that resource, we can free up so much energy and so many ideas that we could get this country back to work."
Devaluation
Mr Murphy said there was "a devaluation of work" and a "normalising of working for free" occurring across the country.
“It’s bad for the economy generally and it’s bad for workers. A youth guarantee is a good idea. The main problem at a European level is it’s completely underfunded.”
