Michael McGrath
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What insights does Michael McGrath share about his transition from domestic politics?
The Clare Byrne Show on Newstalk with Aviva Insurance. I'm joined now in the studio by the EU Commissioner for Democracy, Justice, the Rule of Law and Consumer Protection, Michael McGrath. Good morning to you. Good morning, Clare. You're very welcome. You're about a year and a half out of domestic politics now. So when you see the by-elections happening, Dublin Central, Galway West, does it make you want to roll up your sleeves and get out on the canvas? No.
Look, I had 25 years in Irish politics at local and national level. I started really young. My first election in my local town council area in Passage West in Cork was at the age of 22. So I really enjoyed it.
You put in your time.
I had fantastic experience. But I'm delighted to be where I am and to have the opportunity to shape and influence policy across 27 countries, including Ireland, and 450 million. It's an extraordinary privilege. And a year and a half in, it's been a very steep learning curve. I've thoroughly enjoyed it and got to grips with the mechanics and the workings of the different EU institutions. And finding out how to actually influence and have an impact on policy.
And we'll talk in detail about your brief, but I'm sure you keep a close eye on the headlines here and you'll have seen that Bertie Ahern has been in hot water today and yesterday, accused in the Dáil by Paul Murphy of disgusting racism. What's your view on it? Was it that or was it a canvasser, particularly we think of Bertie in this context, telling somebody on the doorstep what they wanted to hear?
I think we all have an obligation to be very careful about what we say in the European Union. I think we can be proud of the fact overall that we do have a Charter of Fundamental Rights that applies to everybody living in the European Union. And one of those fundamental rights is non-discrimination and the importance of upholding the integrity of every human being, the decency and dignity of every human being. And I think it's important that all of us do our best every day to uphold those values, because it's when we start speaking about an entire group of people based on race or colour or ethnicity, it's a very slippery slope. And I think we have to avoid language that is divisive and that can be divisive.
interpreted a certain way, even if that's not the intention. And I don't believe for a moment that Bertie Hearn is racist. I just don't believe that. I've known him a long time, but he clearly shouldn't have said what he said. Whether he actually believed it, you know, I don't know.
He clarified his comments, but he hasn't apologised. Do you think that he should apologise?
I think it's for him, you know, it's not for me to call on somebody to apologise for what they have said. I think he has responded, but clearly it shouldn't have been said, because it does run contrary to our values. I mean, we should never shy away from having a debate about migration, and that's a debate that's happening throughout the European Union, by the way, and the EU has been responding with new policies, including a migration and asylum pact, and We also recognise that most people coming into Ireland and coming into the EU from outside are here to make a contribution, make an economic contribution and come through the regulated permit and visa system.
So there's a way to have a conversation.
There is a way to have a conversation. That's not the way to do it is what you're saying. based on their race, country of origin, ethnicity and to speak of them in a disparaging manner. That is a slippery slope and is one that we really shouldn't be going down.
I'm interested to hear your view as well and whether you can tell us if there was any disquiet at an EU level with regard to how the Irish government solved the fuel protests issue with a spend of 750 million with a deferral of the carbon tax increase as well. Eyebrows raised or not?
So the European Union has been very supportive of member states in responding to the energy shock and the price increases that households and businesses have been facing.
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Chapters
4 chapters
1
What insights does Michael McGrath share about his transition from domestic politics?
0:01–7:16
2
How does EU Commissioner McGrath view the recent controversy involving Bertie Ahern?
7:16–16:30
3
What is the EU's stance on migration and asylum policies?
16:30–21:35
4
How does the EU support member states during energy crises?
21:35–21:49