What Barry spoke about.

Madam President, colleagues, I've spent now just over 30 years in politics at local, national and European level. I've grown accustomed to populism, opportunism and point‑scoring at home. But frankly, the fantasy football form of economics surrounding next year's budget, the MFF and CAP in this Parliament is surprising and disappointing. For example, the Commission has proposed 296 billion for the

Madam President, Commissioner agus an tAire, as we look ahead to the upcoming summit, I welcome the continued efforts to strengthen our ties with our British neighbours. Last year's summit was a promising start: we were particularly encouraged by the agreement on the UK's return to the Erasmus+ programme. But we now must build on the progress and move from ambition to delivery. In particular, I wo

Mr President, colleagues, we all agree that the Commission's initial proposal for a 23 % cut in the common agricultural policy is totally unacceptable. But politics is not about shouting the loudest; it is about finding ways to deliver. So, as Renew Europe's negotiator in the next CAP, here's what I have proposed. First, the EUR 45 billion won as part of the Mercosur concessions should be brought

Mr President, members, a competitive and sustainable bioeconomy is a strategic necessity. Our recent experience of the closure of the Strait of Hormuz makes that all the more clear. The EU's vision for the bioeconomy is that, by 2040, bio-based construction products like biochemicals, textiles, fertilisers, plastics and so forth will all be widely deployed across our Union. These are to be fossil-

Mr President, colleagues, hundreds of thousands of car manufacturers leaving Europe. Thousands more jobs in agritech, steel and chemical sectors. We hear stories like these almost every day and we're often told who's to blame: it's China, it's South America, it's unfair competition, it's illegal state subsidies. And yes, sometimes factors like market distortions and unfair trade practices play a r

Madam President, Commissioner, you know as well as any of us the pressure farmers are presently under. Many of the measures mentioned in this strategy are necessary. They're timely and forward looking. I commend you for them. But there is unfortunately a clear omission, and it goes to the heart of whether this strategy is serious about relieving the pressures farmers face today. The Strait of Horm

Mr President, colleagues, we're at a pivotal moment in agriculture. The Commission will soon publish their strategy for the livestock sector, and this report offers us a real opportunity to shape it. The livestock sector is not a liability or a problem to be managed. It's the cornerstone of food security, of economic strength and rural life. It employs millions across Europe and sustains communiti

Madam President, we often talk about sustainability here in the Chamber, and the interconnectivity of the three pillars associated with it: economic, social and environmental. Our vision for the future of agriculture alludes to the importance of this on many occasions, and sets out an ambitious roadmap for making agriculture a sustainable and profitable, successful sector, one that is attractive t

Madam President, colleagues, we meet once again in the midst of an energy shock. Member States, including my own, have committed to, and are responding with, targeted and temporary supports. In Ireland's case, that is only possible because of the prudent economic management of recent years allowing interventions during past crises, the present situation and in the event of current circumstances pe

Madam President, colleagues, my reason for pushing for a Housing Commissioner and this report was always very simple. Two things needed to happen: reform of state aid rules and a stronger lending role for the European Investment Bank. Both are clearly recognised in this report. From my perspective, that means the core job here is done. At the same time, housing has become and remains a Member Stat

Mr President, as preparations accelerate for Ireland's Presidency of the EU later this year, my message is clear: our focus must remain firmly on the issues that truly matter to citizens, to business and to communities. Ireland must use this opportunity to drive progress on the priorities that will shape Europe's future. For example, the likes of agriculture means staying laser‑focused on the next

In the first instance, considering America looking inward, China being more assertive, it's imperative that the EU bloc finds alliances, allegiances and trade agreements with other blocs. Thankfully, in recent months you have seen a greater pace by the Commission in relation to its negotiations and the delivery of such options, which of course offer great opportunities for the agriculture sector,

Madam President, I'm sure every farmer understands unfair trade practices. They know them as late payments, last-minute order changes are being told to take a lower price or lose the buyer altogether. The EU's evaluation of the Unfair Trading Practices Directive confirms what farmers already know: the rules exist, but the power imbalance hasn't gone away. Complaints are underreported because farme

Madam President, honourable Members, extreme weather events are no longer exceptional. They are becoming more frequent, more severe and more disruptive right across Europe. When these events expose clear infrastructural weaknesses, particularly in flood defences, we must act decisively. Flood protection, like housing and energy infrastructure, should never be trapped for years in planning paralysi

Mr President, recent decisions would be amongst the most consequential in Irish agriculture for decades. I say that having been directly involved in the nitrates derogation renewal, in securing Mercosur safeguards in the event of its progression, and as a lead negotiator in the next CAP. And it is against that backdrop that I have found the events surrounding Bord Bia back home in Ireland deeply r

Madam President, speaking in Davos this week, our Commission President described the emerging EU-India trade agreement as the mother of all trade deals. And in many ways, of course, that is right, for it will create a market of 2 billion people, accounting for almost a quarter of global GDP. Personally, I was glad to attend a recent International Trade Committee delegation to New Delhi as negotiat

Mr President, President Trump's latest tariff threat to several EU Member States over Greenland are profoundly dangerous. I personally remain steadfast in my own belief that this administration does not speak for the American people, a country that for decades stood shoulder to shoulder with Europe in defence of a rules-based international order. We are now witnessing a clear break from that tradi

Madam President, chair, colleagues, when the Brexit process was at its most fraught, the greatest concern for us in Ireland, of course, was always peace on the island of Ireland. The fear of more lives potentially being lost or a hard border re-emerging on our island was real. The Windsor Framework restored stability and protected the Good Friday Agreement. That matters above everything else. And

Madam President, in these uncertain times for global trade and international relations, building stronger partnerships matters more than ever. As the United States turns inwards, Europe must strengthen its position in regions such as Latin America in order to promote our values of democracy and free trade, and to ensure we don't fall behind other interested parties such as China. My own country of

Mr President, after two decades of on‑and‑off negotiations, the EU‑India trade talks are finally nearing conclusion. The 14th round of negotiations begins this week, and personally I am honoured myself to have accepted an invitation to join the European Parliament's International Trade Committee delegation to India later this month, as we enter a decisive phase. This deal carries vast economic pro

Mr President, Commissioner, colleagues, tomorrow we are voting on two hugely important CAP files. The first is a simplification package, which rightly addresses farmers' concerns and moves us away from a one-size-fits-all conditionality policy and recognises that different countries and regions have different needs. I welcome this, and I welcome the Commission's willingness too to build flexibilit

Mr President, colleagues, China's recent decision to impose tariffs on European pork is unjustified and it demands a response that is firm, fair and strategic. China's market is vital for Europe's pig sector, as has been said, especially for bi-products, where no other market offers the same return. Just last year, pork exports to China were worth over EUR 2.4 billion. In Ireland's case, that is 6

Madam President, colleagues, when I sought election to the European Parliament last year, it was to make a real practical difference for communities across Ireland through productive politics, not populist rhetoric or point‑scoring, and being appointed to the AGRI Committee and as Renew Europe's lead negotiator on Parliament's CAP report has since provided me with a great opportunity to reflect th

Mr President, since the election of President Trump, I've constantly pointed out that the economic bond between Europe and the US is one of the strongest globally and of great mutual benefit – a relationship that tariffs, of course, will only damage. That is why I've repeatedly called for a strategic, measured and politically precise response to President Trump. I am satisfied that the Commission

Madam President, colleagues, as we look ahead to the upcoming summit, I want to commend the Commission for its ongoing efforts to strengthen our relationship with the UK. Despite the challenges posed by Brexit, the UK remains a valued and like‑minded partner of the EU in the face of global challenges. In light of the recent tariff decisions by the US, it is more important than ever to deepen our e