Clodagh Hourigan (parliamentary assistant EP): How the EU makes a difference in our daily lives
Ahead of the European Elections, we find out more about those working in the heart of the EU., Parliamentary assistant at the European Parliament, Clodagh Hourigan, gives us an insight into her working life in Brussels.
How did Europe and the European Union become part of your life?
For me, all began very early on with a natural curiosity for what might be going on elsewhere, coupled with the privilege of ‘freedom of movement’ from childhood - a father who worked for a national airline, a school exchange in Spain, and stints as an au pair in France throughout the seventies. I have a vivid memory of a map of the then European Community on the wall of our classroom in my final year in primary school - the six founding Member States were in pink, the island of Ireland was in green and blue, the United Kingdom next door was also blue. In 1971, I saw no reason why Ireland should not be pink, too.
The European Union has changed a lot since those days.
Over the last thirty years, Europe has witnessed extraordinary changes which would not have occurred if Europeans had not taken the time to get to know each other better. In 1983, I went to Brussels for a traineeship in the European Commission and then continued as a parliamentary assistant at the European Parliament, a job which I did for many years, working part-time while raising my family. I finally joined the Parliament’s administration in 1999 - first as a temporary agent and then in 2007 as an official.
What does a parliamentary assistant at the European Parliament do and what do you do now?
As parliamentary assistant, you cover all aspects of parliamentary life - drafting reports and parliamentary questions for your Member of Parliament (MEP), speaking to visitors groups and lots more mundane tasks too, like organising files and travels for the MEP. I currently work in Parliament’s Accreditation Unit. In essence, accreditation means access to Parliament whether you are a MEP, an assistant, an official, an interest group representative or one of the thousands of visitors that enter Parliament each year. The European Parliament is the most open and most accessible Parliament in the world. Most meetings are public and are webstreamed on the internet.
What is it like receiving lots of visitors groups?
It’s a challenge - whether it is speaking to a group of visitors or participating in the ‘Back to School’ project, which allows EU officials to share their experience of Europe with secondary school pupils back home, or just having a robust discussion around a dinner table with friends and acquaintances who do not work in the European Institutions, but it is a challenge I enjoy.
How do you explain the European Union?
I like to give people practical examples of where Europe makes a difference in their daily lives -avoiding ‘euro-speak’ or insider jargon. There are lots of examples. In the area of environment, the EU has imposed standards where they were non-existent. In education, thousans of students have benefited from the Erasmus programme, teachers and academics have benefited from exchange and research programmes. The European Health Card allows you to get treatment in a public hospital throughout the EU. Due to the EU, we all enjoy lower roaming charges. In Ireland, I remind people, for instance, that prior to our EU membership, women in public service jobs had to give up work if they got married.
Out of all these examples what is Europe’s greatest success?
The greatest successes of Europe are equal rights for men and women and the Charter on Fundamental Rights, which is now anchored in the Treaty on the European Union. But also, as an islander, I still get a kick out of driving over borders on mainland Europe without having to show an ID, hiking in Germany and having a coffee on the other side of a stake in the ground in Austria or not being quite sure whether I am in France, Belgium or Luxembourg when on the N52. Free movement is a great success story, even if it is unfashionable at the moment.
Europe has been a hot topic in Ireland on several occasions.
Irish people are used to talking about Europe as referenda on Treaty changes pop up regularly to shake up the debate. As a referendum campaign veteran, I can guarantee that there is nothing more dangerous than canvassing a late-night shopper during a European referendum campaign as they rush out of a supermarket with a laden trolley, whose plan A is to avoid engaging with you at all and whose plan B is to get your ankles with the above-mentioned vehicle should you succeed in making eye-contact. Almost every caddy stopped is a vote cast. The first obstacle to overcome is voter apathy! However, once engaged by listening carefully to people’s concerns first, it is possible to alleviate some of their scepticism, doubts, fears.
What makes communication about Europe so difficult?
In recent years, the achievements of the early years have been taken for granted and even filed away as irrelevant, while governments, our directly elected Members of Parliament and the other European Institutions get on with the difficult task of managing the interests of 500 million people, 28 nationalities and in 24 languages. Unfortunately, Member State governments have always found Brussels to be a convenient scapegoat for decisions which may be considered unpalatable by the home audience. If a policy is perceived to be removing or changing something, it is Europe’s fault but if it means giving something to the ‘troops’ back home then the Minister has fought hard and returns home with the prized trophy.
So Europe should work more on its communication strategy?
Pedalling negativity is easy. Europe is still loath to counteract untruths robustly, which leaves the path clear for the Eurosceptic mavericks to take the headlines. We should be reacting in a much more combative and systematic manner. Europe should move from a position of defence and self-justification to a more combative, positive stance when selling the good-news stories. However, there is a word of caution here - there is a fine line between confidence and arrogance, this is one mistake we cannot afford to make.
Living in Brussels, when do you feel Irish?
When I talk about our sense of humour, I am a Dubliner because there is something unique, irrepressible, quick-witted and downright cheeky about Dublin humour, which is part of who I am. When I talk about craic [fun, amusement, entertaining company or conversation], I feel Irish because whether times are good or bad, Irish people always find time to empathise and tell a good story even - or maybe especially - when it is at one’s own expense.
Do you get your daily portion of laughs, working at the EU?
Working in a multicultural environment there are many funny moments. How do you greet somebody? Do you shake hands or faire la bise [to kiss each other on the cheek] -and if so, how many times? At the dinner table, do you use a side-plate or do you break bread and put it on the table? The list is endless.
Equal rights, Mobility, Peace. Europe is our future. It’s up to all of us!