1. Mary Robinson is speaking about challenges that faced Ireland as a nation in the 1970s. What challenges do you feel that Ireland faces today?
2. What do you know about the European Union? Understand
1. What major challenge existed for Ireland at this time, according to Mary Robinson? 2. Identify one argument that Mary Robinson gave in support of joining the EEC.
3. According to Mary Robinson, what aspect of Ireland and Irish life and culture were (a) the French, (b) the Germans and (c) the Italians interested in?
Explore 3 Do you think Mary Robinson is proud of her country? Give reasons for your answer. Investigate
Carry out some research on the European Union and its origins. Try to find the following information:
when it was established who it was established by what its objectives are who are the current members
at least one other interesting fact or statistic.
Write up a short fact file on the European Union and present your findings to the class. Create
Carry out a class debate on the following motion: This house believes that Britain’s exit from the European Union is good news for Ireland.
