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'Extremism, racial intolerance and ultra-nationalism mean we need the EU now'

Sixty years on from the signing of the Treaty of Rome, European unity is more important than ever, writes Noelle O Connell.

AS THE ENORMOUS challenge of Brexit focuses the minds of leaders of the 28 EU member states, the 60th anniversary of the Treaty of Rome today is a compelling reminder of the values that founded the union of member states.

Over 1,000 citizens from all over Europe are taking part in a Forum on the Future of Europe and a celebratory March for Europe through the streets of Rome.

EU heads of state are gathering in what will be the start of a crucial process of deliberation and reflection on what the EU now means, and the way forward to share ideas and values over the next 60 years.

Reflection and analysis are critical now

This focus on the Future of Europe is a starting point for what should be a wider discussion involving all citizens and sections of society, politicians, civil society, trade unions, business, cultural groups, and the media.

Such a deep-rooted analysis is critical as Europe sees, not for the first time, the rise of voices of extremism, racial intolerance and aggression to serve a protectionist ultra-nationalist agenda.

After the devastation wreaked by two world wars, it is all too easy to take for granted the combined efforts required over the past 60 years to advance the cause of peace, and greater cooperation on trade and politics.

In the beginning

When signing the Treaty of Rome, the six founding members – France, West Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Belgium and Luxembourg – stated their resolve to pool their resources in order to preserve and strengthen peace and liberty. In the words of the Treaty, they gathered “to call upon the other peoples of Europe who share their ideal to join in their efforts”.

What comprised the original EEC has developed into a Union of 500 million citizens and 28 member states. It has brought about a sustained period of peace in Europe, and a social vision of justice and equality.

The Treaty paved the way for European integration, and shaped what was to become the EU that we recognise today. All subsequent treaties have built on or amended the Treaty of Rome and its provisions still form the majority of EU treaty law.

How the end of the Second World War is linked to the birth of the EEC is important to acknowledge, in order appreciate why the Treaty of Rome is such a significant milestone in European history.

With this came the first signs of Europe uniting both economically and politically

It is saddening that on the anniversary of the Treaty of Rome, for the first time a country is asking to leave rather than join the “union among the peoples of Europe” which the Treaty of Rome envisaged all those years ago.

With the triggering of Article 50 in the coming week by UK Prime Minister Theresa May, Ireland has an opportunity to assert ourselves in the negotiations that will lead to a reshaped EU without the UK.

Now is the time to deepen and strengthen closer relationships with our EU partners and to frame new alliances that will support and develop diverse trade, commercial and investment opportunities.

In light of this, the leaders of the 27 remaining member states will adopt a “Rome Declaration” on the direction of the EU post-Brexit. This comes in the context of a White Paper presented by the European Commission which outlined five possible scenarios for the future of the EU.

These scenarios effectively range from more to less integration, including a scenario which allows for the integration of member states at a different pace; commonly referred to as “multi-speed Europe”.

Unity in an unstable world

But the underlying message of the “Rome Declaration” will be unity, and the need to stand together in an increasingly unstable global order. Sixty years on from the signing of the Treaty of Rome, European unity is more important than ever.

The EU is not perfect nor a panacea for all ills.

But we in Ireland have a choice and an opportunity, just as in 1972, to see our future inside a reshaped EU, to be a full and active member, and to actively contribute to the form of Union we wish to be part of.

Noelle O Connell is the Executive Director of European Movement Ireland, an independent not-for-profit, membership organisation working to make the connection between Irish people and the European Union through education programmes and advocacy work.

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63 Comments
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    Mute Keith Dunne
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    Jun 8th 2019, 9:52 PM

    Straight outta Carlow.

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    Mute G
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    Jun 8th 2019, 9:04 PM

    Gwan the boyz yup yup

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    Mute TamuMassif2019
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    Jun 8th 2019, 11:00 PM

    Embarrassing…

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    Mute Daragh Ó Murchú
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    Jun 9th 2019, 12:19 AM

    @TamuMassif2019: cad go díreach a bhfuil náireach fúthu ?

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    Mute TamuMassif2019
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    Jun 9th 2019, 12:57 PM

    @Daragh Ó Murchú: I never put much effort into Irish at school…

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    Mute TamuMassif2019
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    Jun 9th 2019, 1:00 PM

    @Daragh Ó Murchú: Them denying their own culture and trying to act if they belong to another culture and to another race, why making eejits of themselves.

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    Mute Mike Spillane
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    Jun 9th 2019, 2:49 PM

    @TamuMassif2019: you haven’t got a clue. I’d say Irish wasn’t the only part of your education you neglected.

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    Mute David Hickey
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    Jun 9th 2019, 5:12 PM

    @TamuMassif2019: Would you say the same of a rock band? Rock music is from the south of the US originally. Should we stop that, and only play trad so?

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    Mute Disco Pants
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    Jun 8th 2019, 9:12 PM

    Lowest common denominator trash for the most brainless in society.

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    Mute .
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    Jun 8th 2019, 9:18 PM

    @Disco Pants: ooooooh look at me I use big words to seem smarter than anyone else

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    Mute Patsy Mongan
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    Jun 8th 2019, 9:18 PM

    @Disco Pants: moron

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    Mute Conor Daly
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    Jun 8th 2019, 9:20 PM

    @Disco Pants: idiot

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    Mute Disco Pants
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    Jun 8th 2019, 9:22 PM

    @Conor Daly: who bees you dog? Gnome sayin

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    Mute Leitrim303
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    Jun 8th 2019, 9:22 PM

    @Disco Pants: i bet you would be great crack on a night out

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    Mute j4VEpUO8
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    Jun 8th 2019, 9:25 PM

    @Disco Pants: put down what you don’t understand is smart thinking

    37
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    Mute j4VEpUO8
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    Jun 8th 2019, 9:26 PM

    @T Jay O’Mea: putting

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    Mute Blockboy Bertie
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    Jun 8th 2019, 9:40 PM

    @Disco Pants: bellend

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    Mute Marty
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    Jun 8th 2019, 10:03 PM

    @Disco Pants: Hey mate you havnt got a clue what’s up

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    Mute John Paul
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    Jun 8th 2019, 10:07 PM

    @Disco Pants: brainless? Most of these lads are above average intelligence. They have to be to write songs and have the intelligence and confidence to come up with lyrics on the spot

    56
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    Mute Barry Dempsey
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    Jun 9th 2019, 7:55 AM

    @Disco Pants: thanks for your insight. Lowest common denominator trolling

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    Mute Cheeky Bums
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    Jun 8th 2019, 9:50 PM

    Anyone else remember Scary Éire?

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    Mute G
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    Jun 8th 2019, 10:09 PM

    @Cheeky Bums: Yeah, last I heard he got whacked in Compton, drive by shooting. Rip Scary

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    Mute Linda Kirby
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    Jun 8th 2019, 11:51 PM

    @Cheeky Bums: They played the sugar club on Paddy’s weekend, wasn’t there but it was a great gig so I’ve been told.

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    Mute Rob Cahill
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    Jun 10th 2019, 10:35 AM

    @Cheeky Bums: Yeah, Saw them live back in the day.. great band.

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    Mute Tommy D
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    Jun 8th 2019, 9:21 PM

    Mago x mathman have some really good stuff that deserves more air play

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    Mute popeye Doyle
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    Jun 8th 2019, 10:40 PM

    Load of me b. O. X s

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    Mute Keith Dunne
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    Jun 8th 2019, 10:14 PM

    I said a hip hop …… stall it down the shop ….

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    Mute Sirius
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    Jun 9th 2019, 7:39 AM

    “entrenched racism”? How about a fact check on that claim.

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    Mute Linda Kirby
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    Jun 8th 2019, 11:54 PM

    It’s quite astonishing that an article about Irish rap has no mention of Scary Eire

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    Mute TheFreeSpeechParty
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    Jun 8th 2019, 10:46 PM

    Just need to avoid the trap that happens with any Dublin scene where a group of artists get good, then disappear up their own posteriors

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    Mute Iarla Ó
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    Jun 8th 2019, 10:28 PM

    Kneecap’s album gets played a lot in our car. Check them out on YouTube/Spotify if you haven’t already.

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    Mute J
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    Jun 8th 2019, 10:39 PM

    The comments here are hilarious

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    Mute thephantomshit
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    Jun 8th 2019, 11:43 PM

    Is seems like most Irish hip hop that makes social media graduated out of gonzaga college

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    Mute Keith Dunne
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    Jun 8th 2019, 9:53 PM

    Straight outta Carlow

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    Mute Sega Yolo
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    Jun 8th 2019, 10:05 PM

    @Keith Dunne: or Straight outta Carlaa

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    Mute De20
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    Jun 8th 2019, 10:22 PM

    I really don’t the Kneecap boys would call themselves northern Irish and what’s with the ‘his real name is an Irish name’ comment? What’s that supposed to mean? Belfast is cheap compared to Dublin but you would be hard pushed to get a room in a shared house for less than £250 a month. For a flat, you’ll be talking £500 a month unless it’s in the absolute worst areas

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    Mute De Zach Same
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    Jun 9th 2019, 4:30 AM

    @De20: We are taking Irish hip hop and somehow you manage to make it about property prices….shame on you.

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    Mute Al coholic
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    Jun 9th 2019, 1:43 AM

    Fair play lads all the best no mention of Rob Kelly from Wexford who really blazed a trail for the hip hop community

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    Mute Bass demon
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    Jun 9th 2019, 2:42 PM

    Rap/ hip hop just never sounds good done by Europeans it just comes across as lame and fake .

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    Mute Michael Maher
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    Jun 9th 2019, 8:27 PM

    diddi diddle dillidy dillidy dillidy dee

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    Mute Marty
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    Jun 8th 2019, 10:05 PM

    These boys are very talented not mainstream which is great….we are sick of PC bullshit we’re know
    what’s going down

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    Mute TamuMassif2019
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    Jun 8th 2019, 11:03 PM
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    Mute Vory2Stars
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    Jun 8th 2019, 10:32 PM

    5th element on youtube. Class lads!

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    Mute Donwon999
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    Jun 9th 2019, 9:49 AM

    Calling all da scraggy b I tches from accross the land. Jump up on me 1997 Civic and we’ll show those nerds.

    3
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