Hat's Off: Loneliness or Insanity? That is the (Valentine's) question.

TO PARAPHRASE the great Dylan Moran, when it comes to relationships we are presented with two equally appealing options: loneliness or insanity.
 

Humans are demanding creatures. We need purpose, companionship, love, and regular distractions from the recurring disappointment that is life.
 
As we now find ourselves cast adrift in the vast limbo between major religious holidays, we begin searching for a day with minutely more significance than every other which surrounds it and is, essentially, exactly the same. So where do we look? Jesus? Overkill. 
Some major sporting event? 
Don’t go there. Pancakes? It’s been done.
 
Love? Bingo. Everyone loves love, right? Hence the appeal of Valentine’s Day – twenty four hours specifically designated to loving love. Yay. Don’t get me wrong, love is the best thing in the world – until the shit hits the fan.
 
Upon breaking up with someone, you become acutely aware that every single song, film, poem, book and basically the vast majority of any expression ever expressed boils down to love – or the lack thereof. 
 
When nursing a broken heart, this drove me fucking insane. I listen to the radio – a lot. Due to this fact, I developed a repetitive strain injury in my index finger from frantically switching stations. 
Every time inane chit chat gave way to someone conveying their emotions through the medium of song, I couldn’t take it.
 
This was doubly annoying as I adore music – we’ve been through a lot together but, not unlike my ex, we needed some time apart. To most, Video Killed the Radio Star. To me, they could’ve worked it out through couples’ counselling. Damn you, Buggles.
 
During my recuperation I found solace in Joe Duffy. I knew where I stood with him – the government was incompetent, the weather was crap, the economy was worse and, in general, everyone hated each other. His show highlights the fact we’re doomed and embraces it.
 
Once the initial, almost unbearable ‘Oh God, every song reminds me of you’ pang begins to subside, music can prove extremely helpful in the heart healing process.
 
Breakup songs are cathartic, wonderful things – and, as Taylor Swift will testify, economically viable entities. The songstress, at the tender age of 23, has made a career largely based on lambasting her errant exes through catchy little pop ditties. A lady doesn’t kiss and tell, but by God she will dump your ass and sing.
 
Swifty is a relatively new recruit to the scorned singers’ club. Odes to lovers past are as old as music itself. Roy Orbison’s Heartbreak Radio is essential listening whether or not your lady done gone and left. Janis Joplin’s cover of Piece of My Heart is one of the most gut-wrenching songs every sung. Ain't No Sunshine When She's Gone by Bill Withers drips into the ear canal like poisonous, bittersweet honey.
 
The heartbreak genre has taken on various forms throughout its existence, quite notably morphing into a behemoth in the ‘80s. Note to self: excess hairspray can lead to excess heartbreak (or perhaps vice versa). Whitesnake’s Here I Go Again on My Own and Total Eclipse of the Heart by Bonnie Tyler are particularly stellar examples of this.
 
Those inclined to line dance their way out of a love rut, had to wait until the ‘90s to find some solace. By God, their patience was rewarded. Billy Ray Cyrus signed, sealed and delivered on that. There are countless heartbreak tunes You Oughta Know from that decade.
 
Modern break-up songs tend to centre around expletives and the repetition of the word ‘ever’ – just not at the same time. Whatever your taste in music, someone’s got your back. And let’s face it; New York City didn’t burn down to the ground when your significant other walked away.
 
All I know is; my ex-box was no Atari and I can once again listen to the radio without ending up sporting a rather fetching finger cast. My rehabilitation is complete.
 
Valentine’s Day is a great idea in theory, but then again so was the mullet – and we all know where that got us.
 
So, if presented with the option again, what would I choose – sanity or company? The jury’s still out.


This article was also published in Student Independent News, NUI Galway's student newspaper, and on Campus.ie and TheDailyShift.ie.

Youth Media & the Irish Presidency: Vulnerable Families – What can Europe do?

Closing Plenary, Vulnerable Families Conference.
Photo: Órla Ryan

A CONFERENCE jointly organised by the Confederation of Family Organisations in the European Union (COFACE) and the Irish Countrywomen's Association (ICA).

Location: Dublin City Hall

Date: 5 February

Day 2 Summary

"I'm the world's biggest loser: I lost my place in the workforce; my friends; my social life; my pension rights; €12 of my carer's allowance - take any more and I'll lose my mind."

These were the last words the audience heard from the Head of Living Conditions at Eurofound during the Closing Plenary of the conference. By sharing this quote from an Irish carer, Richard Anderson also shared an insight into how difficult a carer's life can be.

"Research in Europe points consistently to carers of dependent children, adults or elderly relatives as particularly at risk of low income, of lack of information, of illness, isolation and basically invisibility for policy and practitioners, and these are the essential problems to which we need to respond and ask what contribution the European agenda can bring.

" . . . Many carers today are exposed to poverty and exclusion because they are not able to reconcile their care responsibilities with employment, and the alternative to employment is social benefits and public assistance which, as we all know across member states, are being challenged by austerity measures," Mr Anderson stated.

He spoke of the need to ensure the dignity of both those who require care and the carers themselves, adding that the EU has a responsibility to recognise carers in terms of legislation and support.

Carers were just one of a number of vulnerable groups discussed at the event.

The initial section of Day 2 was split into four breakout forums:

- Vulnerability due to ill health, mental health issues, disability, care;

- Extreme vulnerability - families outside of the reach of services;

- Vulnerability due to joblessness and lack of skills;

- Parenting support services.

These sessions included speakers from several Irish and European bodies including One Family (Ireland), Väestöliitto (the Family Federation, Finland) and SOS Children's Villages International (Austria).

"Extreme vulnerability stems from non-recognition, lack of visibility and stigma"

- William Lay (former director of COFACE), Chair of Extreme Vulnerability Talk

This session centred on Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender families; migrant families and women (both documented and undocumented); Roma families and those at risk of or experiencing homelessness.

Moninne Griffith, Director of Marriage Equality, gave a presentation on the vulnerability of LGBT families in Ireland.

"The Irish Constitution only recognises families based on marriage, so all the various diverse families that exist - be they of foster families, carers, families with different relatives caring for children - unfortunately don't fit that description and therefore are outside the scope of  protection and are exposed to extra vulnerability, and that includes LGBT families," Ms Griffith asserted.

She said the Civil Partnership legislation that was introduced here in 2011 "ignored the fact that many same sex couples have children" and "created a legal vacuum for these families". Marriage Equality's 'Missing Pieces' report highlights 160 statutory differences between civil partnership and marriage.

"Irish laws and public policy have not kept up with the changing reality of Irish families and largely ignore the children being raised by a parent or parents who are LGBT," Ms Griffith added. 

Discrimination and the failure of health services to recognise the statuses of such families were listed as other areas of particular concern in this regard.

In terms of migrant families and women, Elvira Mendez of Salud y Familia (Health and Family, Spain) stated that "second chances are crucial" when people seek help.

This sentiment was echoed by Ruth Owen of Feantsa (the European Federation of National Organisations Working with the Homeless). The group's 2012 Report 'On the Way Home?' analysed the main trends regarding homelessness in 21 countries over the past five years. Ireland was one of a number of member states that noted an increase in homelessness in three key demographics: youth, immigrants and women.

In the post-presentation discussion, Gráinne Healy, Chairperson of Marriage Equality and former Chair of the National Women's Council of Ireland, noted the intersectionality between the vulnerable groups in question and spoke of the moral imperative of protecting adults and children alike.

The current situation in the EU, and indeed beyond, was succinctly summarised by the President of COFACE, Annemie Drieskens, at the close of the conference: "Even with our best intentions and political will, so far we have failed to prevent further impoverishment." She listed growing inequality and youth unemployment as illustrations of this and described the latter as  a "ticking time bomb for societal change never seen before".

Should this bomb detonate, it will no doubt be the most vulnerable that will once again bear the brunt of the catastrophic consequences. As a union, we must act at every level - from grassroots to policy making - to ensure it is our services and support systems for such families, not this explosive device, that remain viable.


This article also appears on the European Movement Ireland website.

We Need to Talk About Suicide

IN IRELAND close to 600 people die by suicide annually – three times the number of people killed on our roads. What can we do as a nation to help end this endemic? Órla Ryan talks to those who dedicate much of their lives to providing support for people dealing with mental health issues and the repercussions of suicide.

Image c/o Pieta.ie

There were 525 deaths by suicide reported in 2011, an increase of seven per cent on the previous year.

It is all too easy to become immune to hearing such statistics, but, as a community, we must remember that every figure masks a face; a human life. Those gone were a best friend, a child, a parent, a lover, a classmate.

Many factors contribute to a person ending their own life. Bea Gavin, Head of Counselling at NUI Galway, believes the recession has led to a sense of purposelessness for many.

“Thinking about suicide is much more common than we realise . . . you cannot know who will and who won’t go on to make an attempt, so it is important to offer support,” she says.

Ms Gavin notes that the number of students seeking guidance at the university’s counselling service “increases every year”, with almost 1,000 people attending in 2012.

Greater levels of communication and information on mental health are vital to help those in need. “Public campaigns have a big role to play. It is important to create an environment where these issues can be talked about,” Ms Gavin maintains.

She lists alcohol as a possible “trigger to a suicide attempt”, adding, “The culture of binge drinking is also significant in that a very high rate of suicidality is associated with alcohol use.”

Sandra Hogan, who works with Aware, echoes these sentiments. “Alcohol . . . is a disinhibitor, it can also impact on levels of self-anger and self-aggression,” she states.

“We need to be careful about the way we talk about suicide – it has become such a commonplace word that it is perhaps being viewed as an option by some people who are vulnerable,” Ms Hogan adds.

Self-mutilation is also an issue of immense concern. "There is a huge fear around self-harm with people being quite ashamed of their actions. Families are in deep distress and they need more help to manage," Pauline Bergin, a senior psychotherapist at Pieta House, affirms.

Like most suicide related charities, the volume of people contacting Pieta is increasing steadily. Over 3,000 people attended their Dublin and Longford centres in 2012 alone.

Ms Bergin advises people “to recognise when their loved one or friend is becoming more isolated, not interacting, not eating or sleeping.

“I would encourage them to seek help with either their local GP or counselling service . . . sooner rather than later.”

Young Men and Suicide

The Young Men and Suicide Report, compiled by the cross-border Men’s Health Forum, states that Ireland’s rate of suicide among young males is among the highest in the European Union. Some 165 and 72 young men killed themselves in the Republic and Northern Ireland respectively in 2011.

The report attributed the recent increase in suicides in this demographic to the economic downturn and unemployment.

The National Office for Suicide Prevention (NOSP) 2011 Annual Report shows that suicide is much more common among men than women. This rate has steadily increased from 8.4 per 100,000 in 1980 to 20 per 100,000 in 2009. NOSP works closely with the HSE to provide suicide prevention training and resource packs.

‘Mind your Man’ is a soon-to-be-launched campaign headed up by Pieta House that will encourage people to take action when a man shows signs of distress or suicidal tendencies. The charity’s CEO Joan Freeman will appear on The Late Late Show on February 8 to discuss the venture.

John Buckley, Youth Engagement Officer with SpunOut, believes we need to gain a greater understanding of how young Irish men think and learn what supportive factors work for them.

“In Ireland there has traditionally been a distinct lack of dialogue around suicide and this has potentially impacted on how young men perceive help-seeking and speaking up.

"Problems such as financial and relationship-related issues were seen as a weakness and reaching out was at times seen as 'not manly',” Mr Buckley states.

He is a firm believer in early intervention; prevention is always preferable to cure.

“We need to understand that positive mental health starts in the early years, not in a fire fighting battle when the problem is endemic.

 “It’s an extremely tough fight, but fighting stigma is something that has been successful in many areas, such as cancer, so it's a fight we can win,” he asserts.

The Scotland Model

Mary McTernan set up the GRASP (Greater Responsibility and Awareness in Suicide Prevention) Life Foundation four months ago. In 2004 she lost her only son Garry to suicide at the age of 24.

The charity aims to provide a full time suicide prevention, intervention and postvention service through training and counselling. It also facilitates support groups for those who have been bereaved through suicide. Since its inception, the organisation has worked with 43 crisis situations in the North West.

“Suicide is a permanent solution to a temporary problem – there are ways around everything,” Ms McTernan states. 

She feels the Irish government should follow Scotland’s lead of increasing funding in the area of mental health.  Based on three-year rolling averages, there was a 17 per cent fall in suicide rates in Scotland between 2000 - 2002 and 2009 - 2011.

The Government has earmarked €35million for spending in this sector in 2013 – the same amount as last year.

Last week Kathleen Lynch, Minister of State with responsibility for Mental Health, spoke of the Government’s future plans in this area. As part of their bullying action scheme, a programme that promotes positive mental health in secondary schools has been launched.

At a practice-based level, two specialist nurses are to be stationed in each suicide unit in Ireland. A joint initiative with the Irish College of GPs that will increase doctor training on the subject has also been introduced.

In December, Minister Lynch promised that the 414 community mental health posts announced in the 2011 budget would be filled by the end of January. So far this figure stands at less than half. The Government cannot make empty promises when so many lives are at stake. Now is the time for action; not lip service.

More needs to be done – both in terms of public information campaigns and financial assistance from the Government. Those in rural areas should have the same level of access to support as those in cities and large towns.

Ireland has made some steps in the right direction where mental health is concerned. However, this is largely due to independent, non-State funded organisations. A collective effort is needed make real progress.

To reduce the stigma that often surrounds mental health issues, honest and frank discussions are needed at family, local and national level.

If you are feeling depressed or suicidal – or want to talk about any aspect your mental health – speak up. For anyone who is concerned about a loved one, listen and show your support.

And for the Government, as Ms Bergin put it; “Recognise that suicide is not going away."

Aware: 1890 303 302; info@aware.ie	GRASP Life: 087 4188053 / 086 6824760; www.grasplife.ie	National Centre for Youth Mental Health: www.headstrong.ie
National Office for Suicide Prevention: 01 6352139 / 01-6352179; info@nosp.ie	NUIG Counselling Service: 091 524411 (ext. 2484); counselling@nuigalway.ie	Pieta House Midwest: 061 484444; mary@pieta.ie
See Change (National Stigma Reduction Partnership): 01 8601620; info@seechange.ie	SpunOut: 01 675 3554; info@spunout.ie	Your Mental Health: www.yourmentalhealth.ie

Me, Myself and Mental Health

"March?," I cried.

"How could the next available appointment be in March? It's only early November."

I collapsed onto my bed in a fit of tears, virtually inconsolable. I had finally plucked up the courage to seek professional help and the soonest appointment with a psychiatrist was nearly five months away.

I should state that I am speaking about a personal experience that took place couple of years ago - although I'm not sure whether or not waiting lists have decreased significantly in the interim.

At the time, I decided to go through the public health care system for financial reasons. My parents had paid for me to go to a counsellor in the past and, I'm certain, they would have done so again had I chosen to tell them I had fallen back into the clasp of depression.

To be honest, I had never come fully out of it. I didn't feel as though I was making any progress with therapy the previous year so I stopped going and pretended to be OK again. I chose to keep my mental state a secret this time around - I'm not sure why. Partly due to shame I think.

Luckily, a cancellation meant I was given a new appointment in late January. Not so luckily, it didn't seem to make any difference. I was prescribed more medication and still at a loss of what to do next.

For me, depression started off as a tiny black dot inside my gut. It would increase and decrease in size sporadically. There were times when I could push it away and ignore it; there were times when it impacted on every single action I made.

Since I was quite young, I remember experiencing periods of deep sadness. This feeling was heightened during my teenage years - something put down to angst and hormones (which no doubt did play a role). During my worst period of depression, there were many factors involved. I felt like a huge disappointment in every way: I was unhappy at college; had my heart broken; failed to make a lot of new friends. I felt completely isolated.

At its peak - or rather depth - my depression was almost unbearable. I had lost all hope and saw no way forward. For a period of my life, I thought death was the only way I would find relief from what was now an all-consuming black mass. It had taken my identity; I no longer felt like a person with depression, rather depression itself. The blackness was not in me; it had become me.

I found solace in the face that, even if I didn't go through with it today or next week or next year, suicide was my 'get out of jail free' card. The main reason I didn't end my own life was the realisation of what the repercussions would be on those closest to me.

People often say that suicide is the ultimate act of selfishness, but, to someone in that mind-set, this is not the case. If a person is suicidal it's safe to say that they are not thinking clearly, so don't be so quick to judge.

I became extremely reclusive when I was depressed - I couldn't face being around people. In retrospect, this is one of the worst things I could have done. Engaging with people was one of the reasons my condition started to improve. I know this is easier said than done. I found Aware's anonymous online support group very helpful in this regard - it was a safe, kind place to talk.

When in the throes of depression, there is little, if anything, someone can say that will ease the pain. You may have heard this a thousand times before but PLEASE TALK: to a friend, a family member, a teacher, a doctor, an online support group. Seeking help may seem possible at times but you have the strength to do it. It might be a long road ahead but it does get better. You will feel better and you can be happy.

I don't pretend to know a lot about mental health. Professing a lack of knowledge in this area may, in itself, be the height of understanding some of us can achieve in this regard.

I don't recall why, or exactly when, I began to feel better; but I did. For me medication or therapy didn’t seem to help, interacting with others did. Every person is different, but by reaching out you will find something that works for you.  

Every now and then, I have my bad hours or days or weeks, but I am happy to be alive and to be able to experience life – the good and bad.

If you feel down, talk. Help is there. Life will get better.


This article was also published on Headsup.ie and in Student Independent News, NUI Galway's student newspaper.

‘I’m a Feminist – Period.’

Image c/o the Irish Feminist Network

VITAL INSTRUMENT of equality or dirty word? Órla Ryan talks to Colette Fahy of the Irish Feminist Network to see where the movement is at in 2013. 

“I think it’s really important that people use that word (feminism) proudly and say ‘Yeah, I am a feminist’, instead of ‘I’m a feminist, but blah blah blah . . .’ “

Being a feminist is not something a person should have to defend, regardless of gender. The term was once synonymous with bra burning and an aversion to razors and the male species. However, Colette Fahy is confident the time is right to reclaim it from this misappropriation.

She acknowledges that “[Feminism] has become an uncool word”, but feels this is set to change. “Irish feminism is really going through a nice kind of Renaissance now,” she says, adding that its true meaning of gender equality is once again coming to the fore.

 “I think women and girls and men are realising something has to be done and it can be done,” she states. “You can lobby your government and you can make a difference and it’s really, really exciting to be involved in feminism at the moment.”

Ms Fahy thinks the recent groundswell of support for the Irish Feminist Network (IFN) is, in part, due to the case of Savita Halappanavar bringing women’s rights to the fore. Ensuring the government follow through with implementing legislation for the X Case is one of the organisation’s top priorities this year.

Another issue the IFN is focusing on is the ‘Turn Off The Red Light’ campaign to end prostitution and sex trafficking in Ireland. Ms Fahy maintains that female objectification in the media is doing little to help such problems. “It relegates women to this box of being sexual objects and it’s not a good representation of all the many, various roles they take in life and public life and politics as well,” she says.

“As a society, we need to face up to the fact that [sexual assault] is a big problem. I know people don’t really like talking about it, but it is a big problem and we need to support women who have been survivors of sexual violence.

 “Very few women would come forward in cases of sexual assault or rape . . . and there’s a huge stigma around it.” She notes how difficult it is for women to bring their case to the courts due to the very low convictions rates here.

Ms Fahy is extremely worried about Irish attitudes to rape. She cites the culture of “victim blaming” in incidences of sexual assault as an area of particular concern.  “If someone is robbed you don’t say, ‘Oh well, you were walking around with your wallet on you’,” she adds.

She feels the use of rape as a “punch line” and throwaway terms such as ‘fraping’ in relation to Facebook are indicative of Ireland’s somewhat blasé attitude to a horrific crime.

Ms Fahy believes complacency has led to many societal problems in this country, one of them being the lack of women in the “boys’ club” that is the Dáil – less than 15 per cent.  “We can’t just sit here and hope that it’ll fix itself, so things like quotas and the work of the 50:50 group, who actively encourage women . . . in politics, are really important.”

She says that in order to obliterate the glass ceiling, change has to come “from the top down”. Once this sexist culture has ceased, she feels quotas will no longer be necessary as it will then be second nature for women to become politicians if they so wish.

She muses that both the objectification of women in the media and the lack of female contributors in politics and business can have an extremely detrimental effect on young girls’ confidence.

Mary Robinson echoed these sentiments at NUI Galway last week. The former President of Ireland spoke of her disappointment regarding the relative lack of progress made by women in politics since she left office over fifteen years ago. "In some ways, things have gone well and in other ways, it's surprising that they have not gone better," she told student journalists.

 “I thought that we were on a clearer path to women taking their full place [in politics] . . . actually it hasn't happened. There are struggles now that younger women have to fight.”

Mrs Robinson feels that a lack of confidence may have restricted women from progressing further in politics. "Be confident in your ability, know that your country will be better served by all of you reaching your full potential," she advises.

The champion of women’s rights admitted she was reluctant to describe herself as a feminist during her presidency, for fear of being pigeon-holed. She said being “bracketed” as a feminist may have led to a loss of credibility in certain circles.

Such an admission from one of the world’s most highly respected public figures surely augers well for the future of feminism. Whether Renaissance or reclamation – who cares? Let’s all just fess up to the ‘f’ word.

Further details on the Irish Feminist Network can be found here.


This article also appears on Campus.ie and TheDailyShift.ie.

Hat's Off: The Highs & Lows of TV Murder

Image c/o DeviantArt.com

“I THINK people should vote for me because my mother’s friend’s uncle’s pet budgie was recently crushed by a ukulele, and if I could perform in front of the overpaid, over exposed, beautiful people that would help dull the pain,” said the girl.

“Oh God, that’s just so cliché. Haven’t you any novel sob stories we could attempt to market you with? I mean, give us something to work with,” replied the producer.

“I was raised by puppies . . . amputee puppies . . . that were abandoned . . . abandoned by orphans . . . orphans with diseases,” she cried.

“That whole puppy/orphan thing has been so overdone. We need a fresh angle. Think harder!”

“I once scaled Machu Picchu – backwards, in the lotus position, using only my hands, to raise funds to buy iPads for Bill Gates’ kids.”

“Who hasn’t? What else?”

“I’m from a distinctly average background, work hard and am genuinely talented.”

“Hmmm, that’s new. I don’t like it, no one would relate to it. Tell me the thing about the budgie again – small birds rate highly among the 16-25 age demographic.”


It’s a tried and tested formula: a ‘talent’ show contestant shares their tale of misery and woe to the backdrop of a Snow Patrol song. The audience promptly becomes a group of blubbering, emotional messes – I believe the collective noun is ‘gullibi’. As of yet, studies have failed to discern whether those affected are more upset by the content of the story or its musical accompaniment. One thing is certain, however – the only known cure for such an infliction: call a premium rate number to ensure Simon Cowell doesn’t have to downsize one of his yachts. Lather up the emotional blackmail, rinse it all over the viewers and repeat ad nauseam.

The majority of those who win these types of TV competitions often end up being exploited to within an inch of their life (and sanity). They are chewed up and spat out before they’ve had time to utter the phrase “Don’t you know who I am? No? Not even a vague idea? Right so, I’ll get my coat.” The tough-skinned contestants fare better than the rest. Viewing figures are the be all and end all of these vehicles, but at what cost? A psychological evaluation is now part of the behind-the-scenes action of many such shows, but does this really make a difference? Often times, vulnerable people are placed on a pedestal for the single purpose of bullies getting a kick out of knocking them right off it.

Making fun of sub-par contestants on talent shows is like shooting fish in a barrel. In this instance, however, the fish swam intentionally up to the hook and jumped on it. It then proceeded to get bloody darn excited at all the attention it attracted when thrashing from one side of the bucket to the other. “Like me! Accept me! Validate me! And when you cook and eat me, serve me with a drizzle of lemon,” thought the fish – before its imminent gutting.

Traditional television watching habits may be dwindling somewhat due to increased online broadcasts, but it all amounts to the same result. The TV we consume can itself consume us. Don’t get me wrong, television is a wonderful tool when used to educate and entertain in a positive fashion. Its power is equal parts colossal and subtle. Our minds are sponges and it’s a power hose.

Many people fare better in their daily lives when background noise is provided by a TV – it’s comforting and familiar. It’s a huge part of our culture and society. To this day, who here among us can hear the ‘Glenroe’ theme tune without temporarily becoming a scared ten year old hasn’t opened their schoolbag all weekend? Luckily, such stress no longer applies to us. Nowadays ‘Love/Hate’ gifts us with the opportunity of spending our Sunday nights watching drug dealers have sex and kill people. All I’m saying is; Nidge wouldn’t stand a chance against Blackie Connors.

If I’m honest, I’d much prefer to watch someone murder a fictional character rather than a real song. You can’t beat a good old-fashioned crime show – and I’m not talking about any of that CSI: CGI rubbish, either. The only thing CSI: Miami has thought the world is that white trouser suits and stilettos are the only appropriate attire to wear when investigating a murder scene. I yearn for the golden days of television – when crimes were solved based largely on the hunches of old people, rather than these new-fangled concepts of "DNA" and "evidence". Yes, I’m looking at you Jessica Fletcher and Mark Sloan. Major props if you get the references. If not, search those names right now. You’re welcome.


This article was also published in Student Independent News, NUI Galway's student newspaper, and on the Irish Independent website, Campus.ie and TheDailyShift.ie.

Ireland will emerge from crisis stronger – Mary Robinson

Student Journalists Órla Ryan and Seán Dunne
pictured with Mary Robinson at NUI Galway. 

FORMER PRESIDENT Mary Robinson has said that Ireland will emerge stronger than ever from the current economic crisis. 

"I think Ireland has benefited from a very tough lesson. We recognise that this is the toughest time we've been through in modern Ireland. It's hurting people terribly, but we will come through stronger and I hope we will come through fairer, with a real sense of what Ireland itself can achieve," Ms Robinson stated.

She acknowledged that Ireland is going through "another wave" of emigration, something she feels the country can use to renew itself.

She noted that modern emigration is different in that young people "know that they want to come back and be more equipped for the modern Ireland".

"We need to be a country that these young people want to come back to and that's the challenge for the rest of us."

Speaking exclusively to student journalists at NUI Galway yesterday, she also revealed her upset regarding the recent surge in youth suicides.

"I find it very very distressing that so many young people in Ireland don't feel that sense of hope in themselves, that sense of potential," she said.

Ms Robinson alluded to her work with the Elders, a human rights advocacy group founded by Nelson Mandela, where members are encouraged to tell young people they are the future, "not in a glib way, but in a really affirming way".

She urged all parents and grandparents to tell young people "there are difficulties but we believe in you, we have faith in you, we actually want to support you".

Ms Robinson also spoke of her disappointment regarding the relative lack of progress made in terms of women in politics since she left office over fifteen years ago. "In some ways, things have gone well and in other ways, it's surprising that they have not gone better."

She feels that a lack of confidence may have restricted young women from progressing further in politics. "Be confident in your ability, know that your country will be better served by all of you reaching your full potential," she advised.

Ms Robinson was in NUI Galway to give a public interview on her life and work.

- by Órla Ryan and Seán Dunne

A version of this article appeared on the Irish Independent website, in The Connacht Tribune and in Student Independent News, NUI Galway's student newspaper.

Youth Media & the Irish Presidency: EU - Engaging with our Union

Viviane Reding, Vice-President of the European Commission,
speaking at the Citizens' Dialogue in Dublin. Photo: Dave Nowak

WE LIVE in an age where unprecedented levels of political connection are possible, and not just in terms of technology. Despite this, many people feel disconnected from their public representatives at local, national and international level. In modern democracies, the encouragement of citizen engagement with politicians has become an increasingly common feature.

In 2012, the President of the European Commission, José Manuel Barroso, called for a broad debate between officials and citizens of the European Union. There are over 500 million citizens in the EU. Successfully bringing together a pool of people diverse enough to truly represent this community is quite an undertaking, before one even begins to factor in the element of productive discussion with a view to policy formation.

Since September of last year, five 'Citizens' Dialogues' have taken place throughout Europe, the most recent of these being held in Dublin City Hall on 10 January. This series of public-politician forums, entitled 'A Debate on the Future of Europe', will continue until the end of 2013. These dialogues coincide with the EU's Year of Citizens, the 40th anniversary of Ireland's accession to the European Economic Community and our six-month presidency of the Council of the EU.

The formula is seemingly straightforward: a moderator oversees a Question and Answer session between members of the public and Viviane Reding, Vice-President of the European Commission. The audience size varies from 200-500 people. An indigenous politician is also present for questioning - in the Irish instance, State Minister for European Affairs, Fine Gael's Lucinda Creighton, TD.

At the Citizens' Dialogue in Dublin, the debate was split into three sections: the current economic crisis, the rights of European citizens and the future of the EU - in particular, where we hope to be in 2020. Topics covered included the possibility of an EU banking union and Minister for Finance, austerity budgets that target the most vulnerable, restructuring of the promissory note deal, unlinking bank debt and sovereign debt, youth unemployment, retirement age, climate change, gender inequality and the pay gap, discrimination against individuals and smaller EU countries, active citizenship and the idea of a 'human rights scoreboard' for member states.

A multifarious list, but one that merely scratches the surface of our Union. Minister Creighton stressed the inclusive nature of the EU at the forum, saying: "Every Irish citizen, every one of the citizens of all member states and candidate countries have a right to influence the direction of our union - to improve it, to make it better for the future."

Only a small fraction of those present got to ask their question. This is far from ideal but, logistically, was somewhat unavoidable. Such events cannot provide a portrait of the EU, rather a snapshot - but, the process of citizen engagement has to start somewhere. One issue to consider in terms of choosing the audience is that those who apply to attend are often people who are already interested in politics. This leads to a continuous cycle of the same faces, the same voices and the same sense of disconnect felt by those on the political periphery.

One can easily become disillusioned with politics and the seemingly impenetrable mound of bureaucracy that surrounds it. Vice President Reding stated that 69 per cent of EU citizens believe their voices don't count. What so for this silent majority? Are such debates simple posturing, no more than lip service?

This disengagement could well be one of the contributing factors to the steady decrease in voter turnout since the first direct European elections took place in 1979. General turnout in the last elections in 2009 stood at 43 per cent¹. The findings of a Europe-wide survey from 2010 show over eight in ten citizens believe this figure would increase if voters received more information on the programmes and objectives of European Parliament candidates and how political parties' programmes impact on people's daily lives².

In 2012 the European Commission undertook its largest ever public consultation, surveying almost 12,000 European citizens about their experiences with EU rights. Ms Reding admitted that almost seven in ten European citizens don't know what their rights are. The Commission website includes information on rights, but citizens have expressed their desire to receive information from other platforms, most notably television (52 per cent); social networking websites (49 per cent) and 'Europedia' - an online discussion forum (34 per cent). One in ten citizens felt there was no need for extra information to be shared³.

'Politicians are Listening'

As a politician from Luxembourg, the EU's smallest state, Ms Reding regularly speaks directly to citizens and would like to see this process replicated across the continent and Union at large. ". . . Something which has bothered me at European level is that we are making too many big speeches, instead of going out and looking the citizens in the eye and asking them their opinion." She added that the EU should involve citizens in the entire decision making process, not just present them with a policy in its final form. " [The Citizens' Dialogue series] is the beginning of a new adventure together . . . where politicians are listening," she assured.

At the close of the public discussion, Minister Creighton acknowledged that many changes and reforms are needed within the EU as it "certainly isn't perfect". She maintained that the Union must acknowledge its deficiencies and strengths alike in order to better itself. As a follow-up to the Citizens' Dialogue in the capital, her office will organise a number of regional debates across Ireland where individuals, civil society organisations and NGOs can voice their opinions in a similar fashion. Minister Creighton also spoke of the need to improve accountability, democracy and engagement at European level. She said that genuinely involving citizens in the political process would be a challenge, but one that would be met. "The evolution of Europe and Ireland's place in Europe is an ongoing process," she added.

Unprecedented change has occurred in both Ireland and the EU since our marriage 40 years ago. Whatever the next four decades will entail, one thing is for certain: citizen engagement is vital. Citizens' Dialogues are a step in the right direction on a very long journey. Whether or not they will lead to tangible results: time will tell.


References:

¹ EU Citizenship Report 2010: 'Dismantling the obstacles to EU citizens' rights'
² Eurobarometer Qualitative Survey: 'European Union Citizenship: Cross-Border Mobility' (August 2010; as listed in EU Citizenship Report 2010)
³ EU Citizens' Agenda: Public Consultation on EU Citizenship (2012 European Commission survey of 11,598 European citizens)

More information on the European Year of Citizens is available here.


This article also appears on the European Movement Ireland website and in Student Independent News, NUI Galway's student newspaper.