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Europe

I believe strongly in a social Europe - that is an EU which is more about people than profit. I believe in the need to address key issues within the EU, including:

  • The democratic deficit within the EU - the main problem is the lack of accountability for the Commission (the body which, although theoretically like a giant civil service, also has power to initiate laws). Some innovative solutions would include the direct election by EU citizens of the Commission President, or of individual Commissioners. Alternatively, the Commissioners should be jointly nominated and appointed by the Parliament and the Council
  • There should also be a right of ‘co-initiation’ by the Parliament - in other words, the Parliament should have the same power to introduce laws that the Commission does, in all areas of policy.
  • Reform of the Common Agricultural Policy - the huge subsidies it provides to European farmers help to keep farmers in the developing world in poverty. Even in Ireland, the CAP has always favoured big farmers, at the expense of the smaller farmer. The criminal waste and injustice involved in CAPneeds to be tackled as a matter of urgency.
  • The EU commitment to development aid must be significantly increased, and the EU should take a lead role on calling for the cancellation of debts owed by developing countries which are currently destroying their economies.

Ivana with campaign slogan during European election campaign, 2004 The Lisbon Treaty may be an imperfect document, but like the Irish Constitution it merely sets out a legal framework within which we can work - it is politics which brings it alive and which will decide the direction of the EU in future. We need to work within the EU Parliament in particular to put forward our vision of an alternative, social Europe to counter the free market Europe that is favoured by the interests of big business.

Pictured: Ivana with campaign slogan during European election campaign, 2004

Summary of 2004 European Election Results

Constituency: Dublin Seats: 4 Electorate: 821,723 Quota: 84,380 Candidates: 12

Candidate: Party: 1st Pref: Status:

  • Ivana Bacik Labour 40,707
  • Royston Brady Fianna Fail 36,269
  • Barry Despard Christian Solidarity Party 5,352 Eliminated
  • Prionsias De Rossa Labour 54,344 Elected
  • Paul Doonan Independent 1,853 Eliminated
  • Tom Prendeville Independent 2,071 Eliminated
  • Brendan Price Independent 4,813 Eliminated
  • Mr Joe Higgins Socialist Party 23,218
  • Mary Lou Mc Donald Sinn Féin 60,895 Elected
  • Patricia McKenna Green Party 40,445
  • Gay Mitchell Fine Gael 90,749 Elected
  • Eoin Ryan Fianna Fail 61,681 Elected