The Ireland South MEP says warning signs of democratic disillusionment must be taken seriously.
A recent survey by More in Common, entitled On the Eve of the Irish EU Presidency: A Snapshot of Public Opinion shows that 2 in 5 would let Ireland’s political and social institutions ‘burn’.
At a time of growing division and distrust globally, MEP Cynthia Ní Mhurchú finds this deeply concerning.
The Ireland South MEP, who sits on the European Parliament’s Special Committee on the European Democracy Shield, said the findings demonstrate why protecting democracy cannot simply mean defending institutions from threats coming from outside.
On the findings of this survey, the MEP said the following:
“We cannot simply label 2 in 5 people as disengaged or ill-informed. We need to understand why these respondents have reached the point where they feel the system is no longer worth saving and, most importantly, address their concerns.”
The Special Committee on the European Democracy Shield focuses on combatting disinformation, cyberattacks and foreign interference.
Ní Mhurchú notes that while these external factors can pose a real threat to our democracy, we need to start looking internally if we are to reverse this worrying trend.
The survey provides a clear overview of how Irish people feel about their own country today, with MEP Cynthia Ní Mhurchú noting the following statistics as real cause for concern:
- Just over 1 in 3 think that the Irish systems works for the majority of people
- Just over half of those surveyed believe Ireland’s best years are behind it
- When asked to describe Ireland in a word, most use ‘expensive’
What matters now is how we face these truths, says the Ireland South MEP, who urges the government to take a hard look at the findings of this survey and act accordingly.
In conclusion, Ní Mhurchú recognises that the European Democracy Shield must continue to combat foreign interference, while acknowledging that until we address the issues that our eroding the faith in our institutions, such as the cost of living and housing, sufficient progress will not be made.
“The key to making real progress is not dismissing people’s frustrations. It is listening to them, recognising them, and acting on them.”
