EU50: Life in Offaly has changed utterly during half century of EU membership

LIFE in Offaly, the wider Midland counties and indeed the entire country has changed utterly in the past half century thanks largely to our membership of the European Union.

Virtually all facets of social, economic and cultural life have been transformed in those 50 years as Irish people enthusiastically embraced the opportunities offered by EU membership.

When we joined the then European Economic Community in 1973 it was following a referendum on May 10 1972 in which the move had been endorsed by a massive 83.09 per cent of the electorate on a turnout of over 70 pc.

Many influential figures opposed Ireland's entry to the Common Market with worries that it would mean an abandonment of national sovereignty and neutrality.

In early 1972 the Tribune reported on a public meeting organised by the Birr EEC Discussion Group where conflicting views were aired on plans to enter the Common Market with speakers including Alan Dukes, then with the Irish Farmers Association, and Ruaírí Ó Bradaigh, President of Sinn Féin (Kevin St).

In the months leading up to the referendum the Tribune also published a series of articles by M.J. Sweetman, Director of the Irish Council of the European Movement, addressing the economic, agricultural and social benefits of membership.

In the referendum, Offaly voters overwhelmingly backed entry with farmers believing, correctly it transpired, that the Common Agricultural Policy would lead to significant expansion in the dairy and meat sectors.

In the 50 years that have elapsed since accession, Ireland as a whole has grown from a relatively poor, largely farming farming dependent state to a high tech economy which is one of the most open in the world.

Fifty years ago the population was just over three million compared to 5.1 million today with a labour force numbering 2.2 million.

Emigration was an accepted factor of life for almost a century and a half and the economy was hugely dependent on the British market with the majority of exports destined for there.

Though Ireland is now a net contributor to the EU during most of our 50 years membership the country received huge financial transfers through direct payments to farmers, structural funds and the funding of programmes such as LEADER. Much of the roads network we now enjoy is just but one example of the huge impact EU funding had.

Being a member of the huge EU market also made us a hugely attractive place for foreign direct investment, especially from U.S. multi-nationals and now Ireland is a high tech hub and one of the leading exporters of pharmaceutical products in the world.

Since Brexit, Ireland's attractiveness as a place for US multi-nationals to gain a foothold in the EU had increased further.

The advent of the EU Single Market in 1992 also ultimately led to an increase in competitiveness and productivity in firms.

The CAP is the longest running EU policy and its role in transforming farming in Ireland cannot be overstated.

Though the number of farmers has declined output has expanded dramatically and Irish agri-food firms are now among the leaders in their field in the world.

Membership of the EU has a huge impact on gender equality and the role of women in Irish society. In 1973 single women were forced to resign from jobs in the public sector and from some private sector firms upon getting married. The marriage bar, as it was called, was repealed as a direct result of membership of the EU

There has been a huge increase in women's participation in the workforce over the last 50 years though issues of inequality still persist.

The European Court of Human Rights has driven social change in Ireland such as in the case taken by David Norris challenging the law criminalising homosexual acts. The law was changed in 1993 as a direct result of the court finding in Norris' favour.

Many pieces of legislation have been implemented, in accordance with EU regulations, directives, and decisions in the areas of labour, employment and equality law.

“These measures have helped to modernise Irish law and improve the rights of workers and individuals in Ireland,” writes former Taoiseach, Brian Cowen in a special opinion piece published elsewhere in this supplement.

The areas in which important legislation has been passed include Employment Equality legislation, the Equal Pay Act, Parental Leave, Health and Safety law, Maternity Leave and the organisation of Working Time Act.

In 1973 Ireland's unit of currency was the punt, which was linked to sterling, but since 2002 we have enjoyed the benefits of the single currency. Adoption of the euro has made travelling to other EU member states easier.

Young people have also enjoyed educational benefits through the Erasmus programme which allows students to continue their studies in other EU states. This has also opened up employment opportunities.

On the environmental front the EU has and continues to have a huge impact in Ireland. We have seen that here in Offaly through the sometimes controversial policy on the cutting and burning of turf.

But the recently launched Just Transition programme will provide major financial assistance to communities in Offaly and surrounding counties who are being affected by the move to a low-carbon economy. The EU aims to reach net zero emission by 2050 under the European Green Deal.

Overall as we reflect on and celebrate five decades of EU membership we can only conclude, on balance, that it has been enormously beneficial for people and has indeed transformed life in Offaly and Ireland.