EU Barometer survey fails to mask huge gulf between institutions and people

6 July, 2006

 


Commenting on today’s survey that Ireland is the ‘most positive EU country’, Sinn Féin Dublin MEP Mary Lou McDonald has said that no amount of EU surveys can mask the fact that a huge democratic deficit exists within the European Union.

 

 

Ms McDonald made here comments after an EU Barometer poll found that the 26 counties was the most positive about EU membership and its image.

 

Speaking today Ms McDonald said:

 

“It is clear that many people across Ireland recognise some of the positive benefits of EU membership. Political and practical support for the peace process, EU funding and environmental commitments are all issues which we point to when discussing the EUs positives.

 

“However, the EU is also associated with very many negatives, including its privatisation agenda, attacks on the rights of workers, continuing militarization and a chronic democratic deficit which puts powerful states and big business at its heart, rather than the people.

 

“If we strip away some of the findings from this report it is clear that the EU’s fundamental democratic and communication deficit remains. Two thirds of respondents have very little knowledge of the EU Constitution – even though this document remains a far reaching document and the EUs proposed cornerstone.

 

“Indeed, just over one year ago a similar survey was released by EU Barometer which indicated that 67% of respondents ‘didn’t know’ whether they would support the EU Constitution or not. Findings from that poll also indicated that nearly 50% of Irish people were not even aware of the existence of the EU Constitution.

 

“All of this points to a monumental failure on the part of those in power at both national and European levels to effectively communicate the contents of this constitution. The Government can dress these findings up in whatever way they like, the reality is that a massive gulf exists between the EU and the people it purports to represent. Defeat for the EU Constitution in both France and Holland is proof of this.” ENDS