Which party will you give your #1 preference to in the upcoming European election

The NP are a joke. If you’re of that bent vote for one of the other nationalist parties such as the Irish Freedom Party, Ireland First, The Irish People or an independent of that bent. Giving a second or third preference to FFG in that case is idiotic. Might as well vote FFG.

I’ll never understand this mentality, it takes less than 5 minutes to vote. If you’re really that unhappy go in and give your no 1 vote for the most extreme candidate on the ballot and no other preferences. If you don’t vote your essentially voting for the status quo.

Your assertion that the European elections and the EU voting process are undemocratic is a critical misinterpretation of how the European Union functions and its commitment to democratic principles. Contrary to the claim that these elections are merely "democratic-seeming irrelevance," the EU's electoral process embodies several key democratic elements such as representation, transparency, and accountability.

The first element I would argue is that there exists direct representation of its citizens. The European Parliament, elected through the European elections, is the only directly elected body within the EU. This means that citizens of EU member states, including Ireland, have the direct power to vote for their representatives. The process is designed to ensure proportional representation, meaning the number of seats allocated to each country reflects its population size. This system aims to balance the representation of larger and smaller member states, ensuring that all voices are heard in the legislative process. The argument that the voting process is undemocratic ignores this fundamental aspect of direct representation.

The European Parliament operates with a high degree of transparency, making its proceedings, decisions, and voting records publicly accessible. This transparency allows citizens to stay informed about the actions and decisions of their elected representatives, fostering accountability. MEPs are aware that their decisions are subject to public scrutiny, and this encourages them to act in the best interests of their constituents. Moreover, the legislative process in the European Parliament involves rigorous debate and discussion, where multiple viewpoints are considered before decisions are made. This inclusiveness ensures that legislation is crafted with input from diverse perspectives, reflecting the pluralistic nature of European society. The accountability mechanisms in place, including regular elections and the possibility of losing one's seat, further reinforce the democratic nature of the EU voting process.

The EU has a robust system of checks and balances that prevents any single institution from wielding unchecked power. The European Parliament, the Council of the European Union, and the European Commission each have distinct roles and responsibilities, ensuring that power is distributed and that no one body can dominate the decision-making process. This separation of powers is a fundamental principle of democracy, designed to protect against abuses and ensure that all decisions are made in a fair and balanced manner. For example, while the European Commission proposes legislation, it cannot become law without the approval of both the European Parliament and the Council of the European Union. This requirement for consensus and cooperation among different institutions embodies the democratic principle of checks and balances, ensuring that legislation reflects a broad agreement rather than the will of a single entity.

Your claim that the EU voting process is undemocratic overlooks the importance of citizen participation in shaping the EU's direction. European elections offer a platform for citizens to express their preferences and influence the EU's policy agenda. High voter turnout in these elections can lead to significant changes in policy direction, demonstrating the power of the electorate to impact decision-making. Additionally, the EU encourages active engagement through various initiatives and programs aimed at increasing awareness and participation in the democratic process.

Thes include Europe for Citizens Program,European Citizens' Initiative, Debating Europe Platform, Eurobarometer Surveys, EU Aid volunteers, European Youth Event, Conference on the future of Europe to name just a few. These efforts help to educate citizens about the importance of their vote and how they can effectively participate in shaping the future of the EU. Furthermore, initiatives such as the Spitzenkandidat (lead candidate) process for selecting the President of the European Commission aim to make EU leadership more directly accountable to voters. This process allows citizens to influence the choice of the Commission President by voting for European parties that nominate specific candidates, thereby strengthening the democratic link between voters and EU leadership.

The notion that voting in the upcoming Irish European elections is undemocratic and irrelevant is a perspective that undermines the foundational principles of democracy. Voting is not merely a symbolic act; it is a critical component of democratic participation that directly influences governance and policy-making. Voting in these elections is essential for ensuring representation, accountability, and active citizenship, which are cornerstones of democracy. Without meaning to sound offensive reading your post makes me think your thoughts are better suited to the Brexit forum and not in this thread. But I suppose you are trying to demonstrate the anti-establishment viewpoint which saw the likes of Claire Daly and Mick Wallace voted in.

That’s your pejorative but I strongly disagree. By not voting you’re saying you’re happy with the way things are being governed. The establishment are all the more delighted for you not to vote, one less vote against them.

The E.U. proposal on the Nature Restoration Law after much dilution scrapped through a vote of the E.U. Parliament in February but has been unable to get a qualifed majority vote from the E.U. Environment Council. The next E.U. Enviroment Council metting is the 17th. June, over a week after a vote that will determine the makeup of the new E.U. Parliament will be known. Even the most optimistic of opinion polls are predicting, )and a highly likely reason that a qualified majority has not been possible on the NRL), if that that E.U. Parliament vote of February was taken under the new Parliament the proposal would be soundly defeated.

14th. of this month Eamon Ryan and Malcolm Noonan, representing our Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications, wrote to fellow E.U. ministers urging them to ensure this propoaed NRL is passed at the 17th of June Environment Council meeting. If, as the polls are suggesting their is no appetite in the new parliament for the NRL proposal in its present format, then isn`t seeking to have it passed on the 17th making a mockery of the democratic vote and the E.U. checks and balances on legislation ?

See you after the votes are counted. I'll set a reminder, let's see who's "deluded" then.

Pints on me if you get a seat, Aodhán :-)