In the latest of our Northern Roots series, where we speak to people originally from Northern Ireland but currently living elsewhere – or vice versa – our interviewee is Eugene McQuaid in Brussels. You can follow him on Twitter at @EU_GENEMCQ.

 

1. Tell us about yourself. When did you leave Northern Ireland, and where did you go? What do you do now?

I grew up in Belfast and moved to Brussels when I was 23. After a few brief stints back home, I think I will be here for the foreseeable future.

To be honest, I ended up in Brussels largely by chance. When I was qualifying to be a lawyer, I was working with my dad in Antrim. The Law Society (the regulatory body for solicitors) has this six-month secondment opportunity at its office in Brussels for all trainee solicitors and I thought I might as well apply. There wasn’t much competition for the secondment actually, partially because the EU can seem quite alien at times but mostly because everyone was fighting for a position in one of the large law firms in Belfast and taking the secondment opportunity would have knocked you out of that race.

I had been working largely on criminal and family law matters, which I enjoyed greatly, but the funding cuts to the legal aid budget had a strong influence on my decision to look for other opportunities, particularly at the big firms in Belfast. I felt I needed some experience in other areas of law (as well as to explore Europe a little) and luckily my dad was very encouraging and pushed me to take the opportunity.

I now work for one of the largest law firms in the world, although funnily enough not as a lawyer, but rather as a lobbyist. When I first came to Brussels, I discovered this world where law meets politics and I completely fell in love with it. One of my favourite things is that, when I come into the office in the morning, I can grab a coffee and take some time to sit and read the different Brussels newspapers (in email form, sadly), such as Politico and the FT, because what they write about relates directly to my work.

This week I actually met a bunch of Northern Irish people that I had somehow not bumped into before, I’m always so intrigued to find out how they ended up here. I mean, Brussels is not very far away from home. But most people (I think) who come here, come here for work, for their career. It is a very driven city. And although it has a lot of culture, it does sometimes take time to get acquainted with it.

I remember when I first applied for the secondment to Brussels, I had to Google who the Commission President was, whereas nowadays I’m completely consumed in the EU bubble. I always wonder how people find out about it and I have to say that I feel a bit obliged to inform people because I think it’s a really fun place to work!

 

2. What do you think when you see the Northern Ireland of today, in the news and on social media?

Honestly, most of what I see today about Northern Ireland in the news or on social media is not positive. I am definitely seeing a strong emphasis on mental health issues in Northern Ireland, especially with young men. With my previous job, I saw some of these difficulties first-hand and I hope that this issue will be adequately addressed.

That being said, not all of it is negative. My parents do regularly give me the low down on some of the nice things that are happening and keep me informed on what everyone from the area is getting up to.

 

3. Are you hopeful for Northern Ireland’s future? Will Brexit make a difference?

Working in the EU bubble, I get asked this question on an almost daily basis. I am hopeful in the sense that I hope calmer heads prevail. For me Brexit throws up so many questions about the future of Northern Ireland. My deepest concern is regarding economic stability, as this has always been key to peace in Northern Ireland.

I recall my A-Level history teacher at school being shocked when she asked how many of us would be in favour of a united Ireland and only a small number raised their hands. I think she imagined that that the class would approach it from an ideological standpoint rather than an economic one. One response that I will always remember was: “It’s a pretty good situation that we have here. Everyone is giving us money to stop us from killing ourselves again.”

 

4. Do you think you will return to Northern Ireland? What could convince you to come back?

I am not sure. In the end, you never know where life will take you. I am going out with a lovely Italian girl, so at this point I am dreaming more of retirement in northern Italy rather than Northern Ireland.

One of the recent interviews published on Northern Slant did raise an interesting question: whether or not you want to raise your children in Northern Ireland. I would certainly like my children to grow up with similar values (whilst having them appropriately challenged) and with a similar approach to life. It is still a while off for me but it is something I do think about. Maybe it’s just the attitude here but I can’t quite imagine rocking up on the Ormeau Road with a small child that speaks French and has a strange accent.

I was recently in my local Co-Op and, as I was trying to get around someone, I instinctively said “Pardon, monsieur”. While that might go down okay (at a stretch) in Marksies, it did not in that instance. I was greeted by silence and a few confused faces, suddenly feeling like a stranger at home.

 

5. What can Northern Ireland learn from the place you live now?

One thing I do miss about Brussels when I go home is the approach to alcohol. In Brussels I am sure that a similar volume is consumed, if not more, but the approach is to drink frequently and in smaller quantities. When people here say “Ah come on, just the one!”, they do actually sometimes mean it. I still have not seen someone throw up or get into a fight in Brussels but when I brought some friends over, I deliberately took them to the centre of town so they could witness first-hand what goes on during the weekends in Belfast.

 

6. If Northern Ireland had a president with sweeping powers, and it was you, what would you do?

I thought these were supposed to be easy questions! How can I answer this question and avoid all of the difficult political issues this question raises?! I guess if I could change one thing about Northern Ireland, it would be to change the way we segregate education. I understand that there is a strong desire to pass down beliefs and traditions but I definitely feel that this should be done at home and not in the classroom.

 

7. What would you like to see more of on Northern Slant?

I do like that Northern Slant is not just focused on politics but looks at Northern Ireland in a broader sense, including by celebrating some of its success stories. If I could add something, it would be some political insights on Northern Ireland from Brussels (and elsewhere), particularly when Northern Ireland is currently high on everyone’s agenda.

 

8. If you could ask three Northern Ireland politicians (past or present) to dinner, who would they be? And why?

I recently attended a screening of the documentary In The Name of Peace: John Hume in America at the European Parliament. Sadly, John was unable to make it, so I would certainly have him round for dinner. I am currently trying to read up on Northern Ireland’s recent past (partially to be able to field the many questions I get following the UK referendum) and so I couldn’t think of a better choice.

Seeing as Arlene Foster is enjoying a period of great influence, I would very much like to have her over to dinner, especially to discuss her Brexit strategy. I’m just not sure if I should serve cake (sorry, couldn’t resist).

While he is not Northern Irish, I don’t think I could round the meal off without asking Edward Carson over for a bite, considering his influence on Unionism.

 

9. Do you have a favourite quote, or mantra?

I think my favourite quotation would be “Drinking is like stealing happiness from tomorrow.”

When it comes to mantras, mine derives from the Jim Carrey movie Yes Man. I watched this movie on Netflix right before I came to Brussels and strangely enough, it became an appropriate way of living. Obviously it has its limits, but I do find that saying “Yes” to new opportunities can really make life interesting.

 

10. What’s your message for people back home?

I am not sure I have a message for people back home, as I think they are doing grand. I do have a message for the DUP and Sinn Féin though: please get back to power-sharing!

Also published on Medium.