Europe Day RETNS
On 9th May, the children and staff of RETNS sang our E.U. song to the tune of Ode to Joy as our new European Union Flag was raised by Maurice, our caretaker. It was a joyous celebration of 50 years of Ireland being part of Europe.
Ireland’s membership of the European Union began on January 1, 1973. At the time the EEC was only made up of 6 countries but the EU now has 27 member states.
What has changed in those 50 years for the people of Ireland?
Back in 1973, Ireland’s economy was based mainly on agriculture. Nowadays we are a highly skilled economy with industries like tech,pharmaceutical and financial companies all contributing to strong GDP growth.Irish businesses now have unhindered access to a market of over 447 million people. Back in the 1970’s, men were paid more than women for the same job and once women got married, they had to give up their work. Now everyone has legal protection to have equal pay for the same job and both men and women are entitled to maternity and paternity leave. Back in 1973, lots of Irish people emigrated for work but usually went to English speaking countries. After we joined as members of the EU, Irish people could work or study freely in any member state. Equally we now have a diverse society with lots of different nationalities making their home in Ireland. The European Union has played an important role in the Peace Process in Northern Ireland and is a supporter of the Belfast Agreement and insists there will be no hard border on the island of Ireland.
Have a look at our flag raising and listen to RETNS Ode to Joy in the video below.
Le dea-ghuí
Maeve
