There needs to be more debate about the day to day impact of the European Union on people in Northern Ireland, Sinn Féin claimed today.
Sinn Fein European Parliament candidate Ms Bairbre de Brún told a seminar at Queen's University up to 70 per cent of all legislation affecting Northern Ireland originated in Brussels.
However she said unlike other parts of the EU, the impact of these policies were only felt when the legislation was being implemented locally.
"In other parts of the EU there is a substantial and lively engagement with EU issues well before the eventual passing of laws in national or regional Parliaments," the former Stormont Health Minster said.
"There is a great need for a more open and democratic engagement with the role played by the EU in the lives of ordinary people here."
Ms de Brún said politicians had a crucial role to play in drawing to the public's attention issues which were going to affect them in the future whether it was community funding, equality measures or the reform of the Common Agricultural Policy.
The West Belfast MLA said journalists should also give more prominence to European Union issues.
"We need to be discussing issues while they are in the early stages of development, rather than after the decision has been made," she said. "This will enable citizens to input into policy-making in a more meaningful way."
PA