The DVD, titled Ireland and the European Union, was launched at European Union House on May 12 by Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills, Mary Coughlan.

Produced by the European Commission Representation in Ireland, the DVD will be available free of charge in both English and Irish to all post primary schools.

Speaking at the launch Minister Mary Coughlan said:

"In January 2009, a joint Memorandum of Understanding was drawn up between my government, the European Commission, and the European Parliament.

“By doing so, we have agreed to work together to promote better understanding of the European Union, including in education.

“Ireland and the European Union, the DVD we are launching here today, will play an important role in helping young Irish school students to understand the history and values of the European Union and just how far we have all come together.

“I congratulate all those who have worked on this project and hope it will be one of many."

Martin Territt, Director of the European Commission Representation in Ireland welcomed the release of the DVD.

"Our younger citizens really want to know more about the European Union and are conscious of its impact on their daily lives. The Ireland and the European Union DVD answers many of their questions like:

• why Ireland joined the EEC back in 1973,
• where Europe is going,
• how the whole system works.

“If the next generation is to participate fully in Europe they need to develop a better understanding of these issues," Mr Territt added.

First produced in 2004 and updated in 2006, the Ireland and the European Union DVD is now in its third edition. The DVD is divided into five chapters:

Your European Union
A brief overview of Ireland's historical role in Europe and its membership of the European Union.

Practical Benefits
Concrete examples of how EU membership has improved day-to-day life in Ireland.

Development of the EU
History of the European Union over the last 60 years, from its origins in the 1950s with the establishment of the Coal and Steel Community through to the modern-day.

EU Institutions
Overview of each of the main EU institutions:

• European Commission,
• European Parliament,
• Council of the European Union,
• European Court of Justice,
• Court of Auditors,
• European Economic and Social Committee,
• Committee of the Regions,
• European Central Bank,
• European Investment Bank.

You and the European Union
This chapter explains how individual Irish citizens can have a say in the EU decision-making process (through for example, the European Parliament elections and the national elections) and also provides an overview of EU bodies based in Ireland.

Martin Territt pointed out that the DVD is "just one of the actions that the European Commission Representation in Ireland is undertaking to promote a greater understanding of how the EU works amongst students".

“Through programmes like Back to School, where Commission staff return to their old secondary colleges and explain face-to-face how the EU works, and the Model Council of the EU, students can find out more about the institutions," Mr Territt said.