Joining the European Community in 1973 was a fundamental step forward for Irish women who automatically upon membership of the EEC received rights of equality particularly in the field of employment. For example, women who married prior to 1973 were prohibited from continuing in civil service employment following their marriage under Irish law guided by the Irish Constitution.

Equality for women and for every EU citizen continues to be a vital aim of the EU. As part of Ireland’s application to the EEC any legislation discriminating against women was neutralised and for this all Irish women can be grateful. Significantly, the number of women in the workforce has risen from 27% in 1973 to more than 42% today.

Since our membership, workers and women have benefited from further equality based legislation and socially based legislation such as the promotion of maternity and paternity leave, rights of redundancy and protection of young persons at work in addition to rights for part-time and agency workers and protection of health and safety.

Endorsement of Pat Cox - Director of Ireland for Europe Campaign

"Regina O'Connor has had the fascinating opportunity in the past several years to have worked in the three key institutions of the European Union, with the European Commission as a stagiaire working with the Middle East Peace Process Desk Officer in 2001, with the Council during the hectic period of Ireland's successful presidency of the EU in the first six months of 2004 and subsequently as a legal and political advisor to the UEN Group and now ALDE group in the European Parliament. For someone so young this has given her a unique insight from a 360 degree perspective on how decisions are arrived at and how laws are made in the corridors of power in Brussels. Most of all her insights shared in this text reveal the rich democratic texture to the decision making process in Europe, a far cry from the caricature of a Europe dominated by so-called "faceless bureaucrats" or unelected officials.

The book also gives a keen sense of Regina's own motivation in her many references in the several contexts in which she has worked to what she describes as Team Ireland. Little wonder that Europe has been good for us because when you see through the eyes of this insider you have the chance to see that we have been great in Europe."


Endorsement of Pat Cox, Director of Ireland for Europe Campaign, former President of the European Parliment, former MEP and T.D.‏ for The Reasons Why by Regina O Connor