Thursday, 2 May 2024, Cork European Movement Ireland, in co-operation with the European Parliament Liaison Office in Ireland, today hosted the European Elections Ireland South Town Hall in the UCC Centre for Executive Education, Cork City. Nearly 450 million citizens across Europe will go to the polls from June 6 to 9, in Ireland we’ll vote on Friday, June 7.
The panel discussion was moderated by Oireachtas TV’s Flor MacCarthy, and featured; Dr. Theresa Reidy, Senior lecturer in the Department of Government and Politics, University College Cork, Gerard Arthurs, Lecturer in International Relations & Politics, Southeast, Technological University – Waterford and Karen Coleman, Editor, EU News Radio.
Speaking about the event, Noelle O Connell, CEO European Movement Ireland said, “The constituency of Ireland South is vast – stretching from Kenmare to Bray. It was fantastic to hear the panellists’ insights on the importance of these elections for Ireland South, and for audience members and candidates to share their thoughts.”
The panel discussed topics such as the role of the European Elections, the impact of the European Parliament in our daily lives, and the role of voters in shaping our future. The panel discussion was followed by an audience Q&A session with MEP candidates and audience members.
This event was part of European Movement Ireland’s Can Vote, Will Vote campaign, which aims to increase voter participation. Turn-out in the 2019 EU elections in Ireland was 49.7%, a drop compared to the 2014 turnout of 52.44%, and lower than the European average of 50.66%.
European Movement Ireland will also host EU Election Town Halls in Midlands Northwest on Thursday 16 May and in the Dublin constituency on Thursday 30 May.
As part of this campaign, EM Ireland have launched the European Elections Information Hub, the go-to website for non-partisan information on the EU elections. The Can Vote, Will Vote campaign is co-funded by the European Union and developed as part of the European Parliament’s Together.eu campaign.