European Elections 2024
An Inclusive and Equitable Europe for All
European Elections on Friday 7 June 2024
The European Elections are held every five years, giving the 447 million citizens in the bloc's 27 member states the opportunity to choose who will represent them in the European Parliament. In Ireland we will vote in the European Elections on Friday 7 June.
Ireland has three constituencies in the European Elections, where we elect 13 Members of the European Parliament.
The European Elections also provide an excellent opportunity for inclusion and diversity. The voice of persons with disabilities is a legitimate voice which must also be heard and acted upon in decision making at an EU level.
We all have a part to play in keeping the European dream alive and making it a better place to live for everyone. Don't forget to use your vote on Friday 7 June! Disability votes counts!
DFI's Manifesto on the European Elections 2024
The future for disabled people is as much in the hands of a strong democratic Europe as national lawmakers. The Disability Federation of Ireland, DFI values being part of the European Union and its human rights-based approach. In a world where respect for human dignity and rights is constantly attacked the European Union is a vital guarantor to progress the full and equal participation of disabled people.
Ahead of the 2024 European Elections, an Irish delegation, led by the DFI travelled to the 5th European Parliament of Persons with Disabilities in May 2023. This Irish delegation reinforced the strong link between Ireland, disability, and the EU.
Persons with disabilities are the largest minority group in Europe. More than a quarter (27%) of the EU population aged 16 years and over have a disability[1]. This is reflected in the population of people in Ireland who report experiencing a long-lasting condition or difficulty to any extent, at 22%.
Election 2024 is an opportunity to move closer to the realisation of a Union of Equality for persons with disabilities, with the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, UN CRPD as its compass. We are asking you to be an ally to us in this human rights approach to realise the implementation of the UN CRPD in your role as a political representative in Europe. Anyone can acquire a disability at any point in life, or as we age - ‘ME TODAY, IS YOU TOMORROW’ - it is therefore everyone’s business.
We are therefore calling on all candidates to the European Parliament to pledge their support, to act and redress the balance for persons with disabilities. And as Members of the European Parliament to champion, and work for, an inclusive future for disabled people and their families.
Click here to read our Manifesto on the European Elections 2024.
Image: A pull quote from our European Elections Manifesto with our logo.
Short Version of our EU Elections Manifesto
Click here for a two-page summary version of our Manifesto on the EU Elections 2024.
A call to Candidates in the EU Elections to Take Our Disability Pledge
More than a quarter (27%) of the EU population aged 16 years and over has a disability. The Disability Federation of Ireland and our colleagues in the European Disability Forum call on all Irish candidates to the European Parliament to sign the disability PLEDGE. This is making a commitment to the disability community to prioritise disability; working in the European Parliament for disability equality and inclusion.
Click here to read and sign our pledge.
Note: DFI will follow up with elected MEPs who have signed the Disability Pledge after the elections.
Disability in the EU: Facts and Figures
Click here for some stats on disability in the European Union. This is a resource provided by the European Council.
European Elections 2024 Video Series
We have a new series of videos that we will be sharing on the European Elections. These will feature DFI's CEO John Dolan on the dream of Europe and the importance of the EU; Dr Emer Begley, DFI's Director of Advocacy and Inclusion on our manifesto which has been co-created with disabled people who were linked in with us for the Fifth European Parliament of Persons with Disabilities in 2023.
We wanted to share a reminder of the address given by disability activist Carolyn Akintola to the Fifth European Parliament of Persons with Disabilities in May 2023.
Click here to watch Carolyn's address
Carolyn is also featuring as part of a Euro News Series with citizens of the EU.
We will be adding more videos as we head towards the elections on 7 June so please check back.
The DFI Podcast on Elections 2024
In Episode Nine of The DFI Podcast, the official podcast from the Disability Federation of Ireland (DFI), we are talking elections 2024 in Ireland.
DFI's Communications Manager Brenda Drumm spoke to Dr Caroline Winstanley of CRC and Lina Kouzi of Vision Ireland about elections and accessibility.
She also spoke with DFI's Development Manager PJ Cleere, about the impact on communities of elections and the importance of disability votes.
And disability activist Carolyn Akintola from Dublin shares her experiences with elections and has the simple ask that there is 'nothing about us, without us' when it comes to disabled people and elections. Just ask!
Click here to listen to the podcast.
Image: The DFI Podcast Episode Art which has our logo and the photos of the four guests on the podcasts on a dark and light blue background.
DFI Member Organisations and the European Elections 2024
We will be sharing details here on the manifestos and asks of our member organisations on the European Elections 2024. We will also be sharing additional resources from our members on the elections. Do check back here as this will be updated as new materials become available:
Irish Wheelchair Association - Measures Needed to Guarantee Voting Accessibility for People with Disabilities
Click here for more including a survey to determine the obstacles facing people with disabilities when it comes to engaging in the electoral process.
MS Ireland - Your Vote Matters 2024
MS Ireland is delighted to introduce the "Your Vote MatterS 2024" guide – a tailor-made resource for the MS community.
Click here for more and to access a copy of the guide to the electoral process.
Useful Links
Electoral Commission Ireland - An Coimisiún Toghcháin
European Disability Forum - Elections 2024
Making Elections Accessible - A Checklist
European Parliament Office in Dublin
Voting in a European Election - Citizen's Information
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