Sir, – I read with interest Regina Doherty’s letter regarding Ireland’s current standing in the European Union and her concerns about Ireland’s diminishing influence (September 24th). While she makes some valid points about the need for strategic re-evaluation, I believe we also need to address a deeper issue – the accessibility and fairness of representation in EU politics.
As someone who ran as an independent candidate in the 2024 European Parliament elections for Dublin on a platform of political transparency and accountability, I experienced first-hand the systemic imbalance that exists when it comes to political access and influence. While major political parties and candidates with significant financial backing enjoy greater visibility and media access (like Ms Doherty), independent voices – often representing genuine grassroots movements – struggle to be heard. This issue of financial and political inequality within the EU system goes beyond Ireland’s influence within the EU; it undermines the very principles of democracy that the EU is supposed to uphold.
Ms Doherty is correct in pointing out that forming alliances and relationships is key to maintaining influence. However, these alliances must also include more genuine representation of the smaller voices – those of independent candidates and citizens who often feel disenfranchised by the dominant political machinery. Ireland’s strategy should not just focus on positioning itself within traditional power structures but should also seek to democratize access to influence for all participants in the political process.
Furthermore, while Ireland’s political establishment may worry about the optics of portfolio significance in the European Commission, citizens across the EU are increasingly concerned about other issues: democratic representation, transparency in decision-making, and fair economic policies that benefit all Europeans, not just a select few.
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If Ireland is to truly maximise its influence in the EU, we must focus on creating an inclusive and representative political system, one that empowers all voices – not just those with the financial resources or established connections – to be heard. This is where Ireland’s strength can lie in shaping the future of the EU – not merely through elite manoeuvring but by leading with a genuine commitment to transparency, fairness, and the inclusion of a variety of perspectives. – Yours, etc,
STEPHEN O’ROURKE,
Ballyfermot,
Dublin 10.