BY ALYN Smith MEP

Voice from Europe

Once again Ireland is proving to us what independence in Europe actually means. Solidarity with the biggest bloc in the world, and a chance to shine making a contribution to common priorities at home and abroad. I remember meeting the Irish Ambassador to the UN in New York a few years ago, sitting in his office overlooking 5th Avenue talking about the reality of being an EU state within the UN. With a twinkle in his eye he said: “The EU’s great for us, we can focus on our priorities and bring the EU’s weight to support them, but when St Patrick’s day parades down that street then sure we’ve our own flag to fly too!”

Back in the UK, the latest round of Westminster psychodrama is just one in a long line of distractions from a raggedy, moth-eaten plan that - this still staggers me - nobody has even checked will work.

But the world is moving on, and if you’re looking for some good news, the Irish Government has launched its candidature for election to the United Nations Security Council for the 2021-22 mandate, stating that: