European Manifesto 2024

EU membership and shared European values are central to our national interests and provide Ireland with a platform to actively promote our foreign policy objectives within a European bloc of friendly nations.

The European Parliament has long been an important part of Irish democracy. As we seek solutions to the climate catastrophe, housing crisis, the growth of artificial intelligence and the rise of far-right politics, it is more important than ever that we send strong voices to Brussels who will fight for progressive values and policies.

Our MEPs will work to safeguard democracy and the rule of law, and promote a progressive vision for Europe; a Social Europe, based around the principles of fairness, equality, human rights, protection for workers, and high environmental standards, with a stronger role for the State to counterbalance the market and to better regulate the economy.

We will endeavour, through the processes and institutions of the EU, to deepen cooperation among member states in the pursuit of peace, prosperity, social justice, and well-being for all EU citizens.

In Brussels, our MEPs will:

• Work to uphold the rule of law, safeguard democracy, and protect the rights of citizens at European level.
• Advocate for Ireland’s military neutrality and safeguard our opt-outs from EU common defence policies.
• Lobby for rapid emissions legislation and emissions reduction targets in line with scientific recommendations.
• Support EU-level strategies for the implementation of the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals by the end of the decade.
• Seek the recognition of a Palestinian state at EU level and promote efforts to achieve a two-state solution to the Israeli/Palestinian conflict.
• Work to change any EU rules that reduce the State’s ability to provide social and affordable housing, and fight for reforms to EU State Aid rules to ensure essential public services like housing can be delivered by the State.
• Fight to defend and strengthen trade union and workers’ rights.
• Work to strengthen safe, legal and regular migration pathways, and to enhance rights, protections and supports for asylum seekers within the EU.
• Help to design a Common Agricultural Policy focused not only on food production, but on creating sustainable farm incomes, reducing emissions and food waste, and improving soil quality.
• Oppose the agenda of privatisation of public services that leads to wealth extraction, and benefits only small groups of elites.