Kilkenny County Council hosts EU policy discussion at Medieval Mile Museum
A panel discussion at the Medieval Mile Museum in Kilkenny explored the impact of European Union policy on Irish society - organised to mark Ireland's Presidency of the Council of the European Union
A panel discussion entitled ‘From Europe to Kilkenny: How EU Policy Has Shaped Irish Society’ took place at the Medieval Mile Museum, Kilkenny, on October 15.
The event was organised to mark Ireland's Presidency of the Council of the European Union and brought together experts from academia, heritage, agriculture and public service to examine the profound influence of European policy and legislation on Irish society.
Opening the event, Cathaoirleach of Kilkenny County Council Joe Malone reflected on the significant impact that European legislation and policy have had on Ireland over the past five decades. He noted that many aspects of modern Irish life, from equality and environmental protection to agriculture and local development have been shaped by Ireland's membership of the European Union.
The distinguished panel included Dr Gemma Irvine, Vice-President for Equality and Diversity at Maynooth University, who discussed the work being undertaken to identify and address structures and cultures that can unintentionally exclude individuals from full participation in society. She highlighted the importance of promoting inclusion and equality across all sectors.
Virginia Teehan, Chief Executive of the Heritage Council, spoke about heritage management, natural heritage conservation and the critical role played by rural communities and farmers in protecting Ireland's unique landscapes including hedgerows, customs and traditional cultural heritage.
Denis Drennan, President of the ICMSA, examined the transformative impact of EU policy on farming in Ireland. While acknowledging the significant benefits that European supports have delivered to the sector, he also outlined emerging challenges facing Irish agriculture. These include geopolitical developments affecting farming inputs, increasing production costs and concerns regarding income volatility and the future sustainability of farming communities.
The discussion was moderated by Sue Nunn, who guided an engaging conversation on the relationship between European decision-making and local experiences. The panel reflected on both the opportunities and challenges that have characterised Ireland's journey within the European Union.
The event attracted a diverse audience drawn from the disability, education and local government sectors. Audience participation added greatly to the discussion, ensuring a lively exchange of views and perspectives throughout the evening.