Last Saturday, 22 January 2022 was the 50th anniversary of Ireland signing the treaty to accession to the European Communities (EC).

Along with the UK, Denmark and Norway, government leaders went to Brussels to sign the treaty to join the founding six countries in this first expansion of the now European Union (EU).

Four months later, the Irish people voted overwhelmingly in a referendum to support this historic entry to Europe.

It is difficult today to envisage an Ireland outside the EU.

While Labour and Sinn Féin and others campaigned against joining 50 years ago, it would be interesting to see what the main objectors back then have to say now.

With over €60bn in supports and subsidies channelled through CAP into Irish agriculture, it would be difficult to argue that this has not been fundamental to Ireland’s ability to export over €13bn worth of food and drink globally annually now.

While agriculture is seen as the main financial beneficiary, there has been a ripple effect in rural communities which of course is very much part of the core CAP aim, to support rural communities too.

Former MEP Marian Harkin TD pointed out in a radio report to mark the signing at the weekend that third-level institutions dotted across the country were made possible thanks to EU funding whilst many other infrastructural projects have come about as a result. But aside from the financial benefits (Ireland is now a net contributor to the EU), the free movement of people has also benefited this country.

One ugly legacy of the pandemic has been the publicity which elements of various fringe far-right organisations and political movements have managed to secure by way of their anti-lockdown and anti-vaccine protestations.

Nevertheless the idea that in 2022, there is still this archaic attitude towards people of other race, religion or nationality living here is mind-boggling

It also unearthed the reality that while relatively small, there remains an undercurrent of racism in this country. It is not new and it is not unique to Ireland.

Nevertheless the idea that in 2022, there is still this archaic attitude towards people of other race, religion or nationality living here is mind-boggling.

There is no part of our daily lives in which we do not interact naturally with diversity. Many shops, restaurants and bars are kept going by people from other nationalities. Our hospitals are staffed from consultant level right along by graduates from across the globe.

Isn’t it blatant hypocrisy to decry diversity whilst benefiting from it directly and indirectly daily?

Do racists not realise that the fresh food they buy in the supermarket or consume in a restaurant has more than likely been cooked and prepared by non-Irish citizens who have come here to work?

And think of the array of amenities and vital services we use daily which are staffed and run by people from all backgrounds. Isn’t it blatant hypocrisy to decry diversity whilst benefiting from it directly and indirectly daily?

Every single person in this country benefits daily from diversity

The sometimes forgotten benefit of EU membership has been our freedom to move across Europe and vice versa for fellow European citizens, many from ethnic non European backgrounds.

Every single person in this country benefits daily from diversity whether or those on the fringes of the right would care to accept that. And that is not to mention how generations of Irish people have benefitted from getting work and education abroad. It cuts both ways. Does this mean anything to people who dislike foreigners living here?

The Ireland which the anti-vaxxers and xenophobes want us to be part of is the one that preceded that accession treaty signing in 1972. No thank you.

A puck of luck

When we talk about great hurlers of our time, Ballyhale’s TJ Reid has to be up there among them. Last Sunday’s dramatic last gasp winner against an unlucky St Thomas’s was more proof of that. A class act.