Meet Your MEP - Clare Daly

Clare Daly has been a Member of the European Parliament (MEP) from Ireland for the Dublin constituency since July 2019. Before becoming an MEP Clare served as a TD in Dáil Éireann from 2011 to 2019.

Apart from representing your country (or region) and getting to work with your fellow MEPs, what is the best thing about being an MEP?
It broadens your horizons and makes you realize how small Ireland and indeed Europe is in a world context. It also gives me unprecedented access to very influential people that I would not normally get to hear face to face, such as NATO Executives, leaders of  Human Rights Organizations and so on. 

What is the one thing that you hope to achieve at EU level in the next session that would affect young people’s day-to-day life in Ireland?
I would like to see the lobbyists in the European Parliament being tackled, and serious action taken to reduce the militarization of Europe which has a huge impact on, not just the refugee crisis, but also the environmental and carbon footprint of military activity is something that needs to be tackled. 

Apart from Brexit, what is the biggest challenge facing Europe today and how can the European Parliament help to tackle?
The Neo-Liberal policies being implemented by the European Union mean that many ordinary people are being alienated from the ideals of Europe, as they cannot make ends meet in their day to day lives. We need a more caring and developed social economy that tackles the needs of people.

Which subject you studied in school is the most useful to you in your role as an MEP?
History or Economics (Economics, because I really liked the subject. I am not sure that what they teach you is hugely accurate) 

What would you like to tell your 16 year old self?
Life is short, use every minute.

---

In a year when Brexit has dominated the news and political agendas, the value of the European Union and Ireland’s place in it has probably never been so significant for young people. The #DidEUknow Young Social Innovators campaign aims to deepen awareness amongst young people of the role that the EU plays in their daily lives.

The campaign is funded by the Department of Foreign Affairs Communicating Europe Initiative.