Speeches

Mr President, Commissioner, colleagues, the fight for gender equality is not confined to history books – it unfolds every single day across the world. Here in this House we represent 450 million citizens, yet less than 4 % of MEPs representing those 450 million citizens are in this chamber – that's a disgrace. Colleagues who are pro-European, pro-equality, pro-choice, pro-female, however they identify, continue to fight in our communities, in our votes, in our words that we speak in this very chamber. Yet despite decades of progress, this fight is far from over. In this house, we have seen a recent disgraceful campaign that seeks to ban the hijab in the name of gender equality, and we have continuously seen members of the House targeted online and offline simply for defending equality. If we cannot uphold respect and solidarity within these walls, if pro-European parties in the centre will not match their words to action for gender equality, a core value enshrined in our treaties, then how can we expect to deliver true equality to the 450 million citizens we represent? We have to do better.

Mr President, this week we are voting on two reports that promise simplification and fairness: two things that our farmers desperately need and which, in theory, we should all welcome. But the reality is far from simple and far too complicated. On one side, we hear about easing burdens, cutting some farm‑level checks. That sounds great, an absolute step forward. But on the other hand, we risk drowning our farmers and cooperatives in even more paperwork. And then there's the elephant in the room: the uncertainty about the future budget. Our farmers, especially our young farmers, are frustrated, disappointed and downright scared. Questions that I've been asked are: Will there be a future for us in agriculture? Can we build our lives, support our families, and make a living out of the work? Can we really talk about simplification and fairness if the CAP budget shrinks and uncertainty grows? Commissioner, you know this world from the inside, and we all respect the enormous challenge you face, along with other Commissioners. But I stand here on behalf of the thousands of young farmers – particularly in Midlands–North-West, where I come from –, people whose lives depend on stable, sustainable European agriculture policy and the funding that goes with it. And I urge you and your budget colleagues to provide the predictability, the financial support and the clarity these farmers so desperately need, because without stability, the ones already here will stop investing, and the ones dreaming of farming will turn away, afraid to take a leap in such an uncertain future.

Madam President, the International Council for the Exploration of the Sea has recommended a devastating 70 % cut to the EU mackerel quota next year. A cut like this could cost Ireland, my own Member State, over EUR 66 million. Mackerel is more than just a fish to Ireland. It's worth EUR 94 million in exports and supports thousands of hard‑working families in our coastal and island communities. Our quota has already plummeted from over 75 000 tonnes in 2020 to just 10 800 tonnes projected in 2026. If we don't act, we risk losing an industry and a way of life that has sustained generations. I urge the Commission to deliver fair quotas, a long‑term plan for the sector and real financial support for those who depend on fishing, and ultimately, to stop third countries from overfishing in Irish and EU waters. We must protect both our natural resources and the livelihoods of our people.

That's a good question, colleague, and I appreciate the opportunity to reply. I mean, in many ways, yes, this is where politics – and bad politics – impacts the pockets and the tables of every EU citizen right now, and indeed international person. Because tariffs – as we heard from the President of the Commission today and we've heard repeatedly – only impact those at the end of the food supply chain, which is farmers and those that eat it. For me, I think it's a really important, regardless of whatever happens outside of the EU Member State bloc, that we're really clear, concise, and we're working forward and protecting those that are impacted the most, which, for me and my constituency, are farmers.

Mr President, why should Irish pigmeat producers have to bear the brunt of political trade disputes, with a market as crucial as China? Just a few years ago, China accounted for 40 % of Ireland's total pork exports. But recent trade tensions have seen this figure drop to only 19 % last year. Hardworking producers are now slapped with import duties ranging from 15 % to a staggering 62 %. Commissioner, I ask why these measures that have been proposed, which are weakening Ireland's pork sector at a time when our farmers are striving to compete fairly on the world stage, while at the same time working hard to maintain the food standards we have set here in this House for them. The Commission must urgently rethink its trade approach to ensure that Irish farmers, and indeed the wider farming community, are not treated as a bargaining chip in political negotiations, but rather supported as vital contributors to our economy and food security.

Madam President, Commissioner, in just a few days, we'll know what the Commission's proposal for the next CAP will look like. And I want to stress, like many colleagues here, how critical it is not to reduce our support to areas that depend on rural development funding. Let's take young farmers: they're struggling to enter farming and make a real living, yet they're the ones that put food on our tables and will do so for decades to come. Let's take women: despite their tremendous contribution to our rural areas, they continue to face challenges in accessing financing, land and training. And third, let's take the leader programme: their community-led projects are essential for local development and rural employment, but they see their funds being threatened. I agree with what my colleague Mr Buda said earlier, without proper funding and effective incentives for them, we risk turning our rural areas into museums, and we cannot afford to leave them behind and still expect a thriving rural economy. So let's help them. Let's show that being risk averse is not right now. Let's show them that we're there for them.

Mr President, there is no winner when it comes to tariffs between two of the world's largest economies. We've heard this repeatedly throughout this debate. Jobs are lost; prices of goods go up; the cost of doing business goes up. And, ultimately, no one benefits from it – not Americans, not Europeans. Neither consumers nor companies gain from what is going on. Giving up on trade relations is not the answer, when more than EUR 4 billion worth of goods are crossing the Atlantic. In my own country of Ireland, particularly the west of Ireland, pharmaceutical products, world-leading Irish alcohol – like whiskies and gins – other agricultural products – like butter and cheeses – worth billions, meet the demand for quality products of the American consumer. We now have an additional three weeks to reach an agreement with the US, and I hope that this delay is a signal that the Trump Administration recognises that economic growth stems not from isolation, but from well-functioning relationships with reliable trading partners. And I hope we ourselves reform the single market, get better supports for our businesses and continue to grow the EU.

Mr President, there is no winner when it comes to tariffs between two of the world's largest economies. We've heard this repeatedly throughout this debate. Jobs are lost; prices of goods go up; the cost of doing business goes up. And, ultimately, no one benefits from it – not Americans, not Europeans. Neither consumers nor companies gain from what is going on. Giving up on trade relations is not the answer, when more than EUR 4 billion worth of goods are crossing the Atlantic. In my own country of Ireland, particularly the west of Ireland, pharmaceutical products, world-leading Irish alcohol – like whiskies and gins – other agricultural products – like butter and cheeses – worth billions, meet the demand for quality products of the American consumer. We now have an additional three weeks to reach an agreement with the US, and I hope that this delay is a signal that the Trump Administration recognises that economic growth stems not from isolation, but from well-functioning relationships with reliable trading partners. And I hope we ourselves reform the single market, get better supports for our businesses and continue to grow the EU.

Madam President, colleagues, on 28 June, the streets of Budapest were alive with defiance. Budapest Pride was a protest, but it was not only the LGBTQ+ community that took a stand. Thousands of individuals came together with unwavering support to oppose the relentless erosion of the rule of law in Hungary. The message that rang loud from Budapest is that our leaders, this Parliament and our Commission need to step up. The time to monitor, to review is well and truly over, and we are three years on since the Commission referred Hungary to the Court of Justice. And nothing has changed. Nothing. The protection of rule of law cannot be put on hold while the judicial system and the process takes its course. It's simply too slow. The protests led by the Hungarian people was a clear signal that any form of rollbacks on the rule of law cannot and will not happen in the EU. Yesterday, with the release of the 2025 Rule of Law Report, the Commission said that protecting the rule of law remains a top priority for the current College of Commissioners. At the same time, Commissioner McGrath openly acknowledged that the dialogue with Hungary is failing. In light of this, I strongly urge the Commission to move beyond the words and take decisive action based on the evidence already in hand. It's like this: it's absolutely not acceptable for any pro‑EU political group or individual in this Parliament to sit back while these principles are undermined. Rule of law, equality and the freedom of expression are absolutely non‑negotiable.

Madam President, colleagues, on 28 June, the streets of Budapest were alive with defiance. Budapest Pride was a protest, but it was not only the LGBTQ+ community that took a stand. Thousands of individuals came together with unwavering support to oppose the relentless erosion of the rule of law in Hungary. The message that rang loud from Budapest is that our leaders, this Parliament and our Commission need to step up. The time to monitor, to review is well and truly over, and we are three years on since the Commission referred Hungary to the Court of Justice. And nothing has changed. Nothing. The protection of rule of law cannot be put on hold while the judicial system and the process takes its course. It's simply too slow. The protests led by the Hungarian people was a clear signal that any form of rollbacks on the rule of law cannot and will not happen in the EU. Yesterday, with the release of the 2025 Rule of Law Report, the Commission said that protecting the rule of law remains a top priority for the current College of Commissioners. At the same time, Commissioner McGrath openly acknowledged that the dialogue with Hungary is failing. In light of this, I strongly urge the Commission to move beyond the words and take decisive action based on the evidence already in hand. It's like this: it's absolutely not acceptable for any pro‑EU political group or individual in this Parliament to sit back while these principles are undermined. Rule of law, equality and the freedom of expression are absolutely non‑negotiable.

Madam President, Commissioner, colleagues, in March, the Hungarian Government banned the freedom of assembly – we've heard this again and again today. It is one of the most important, core values of our democracy, a right that allows us to gather together for common purpose, including peaceful protests and demonstrations. This ban is one of the many cracks in the foundations of fundamental rights and the rule of law in today's Hungary. This ban has direct consequences for our LGBTI+ community and it's so blatantly clear that it bans Pride. But these attacks on the rainbow community in Hungary are not new, and not only happening in this one Eastern Bloc country. A narrative is brewing that speaking out about minority rights only gives Orbán and other authoritarian regimes power. But what happens when we begin to ignore our LGBTI brothers and sisters, when we look away, hoping not to cause trouble? We lose something essential. We lose the very values – the very values – that define us. And that is, ladies and gentlemen, however you identify, our European values. The Commission and Council leaders cannot delay any further in holding this government to account for its blatant violations of rule of law and fundamental rights. I am really proud to say I will be travelling to Budapest Pride to stand proudly with our rainbow communities and allies – because, ladies and gentlemen, in the face of oppression, there is absolutely no space for silence.

Mr President, colleagues, High Representative, earlier this month, a report from within an EU institution was published online which clearly spelled out Israel's unequivocal and brutal war crimes in Gaza. A report from inside our own European Union documented Israel's deliberate use of starvation as a weapon of warfare. This is a report that was compiled in November 2024, and since then, while thousands more innocent people have been killed, Israel has continued to enjoy the privileges of free trade from the European Union. How many times have MEPs stood in this very Chamber and demanded a review of the EU-Israel agreement, pleaded for its suspension, begged for action that actually means something? Let me be very clear: the EU's current inaction does not reflect my views, nor does it reflect the views of the many of my constituents I represent, or my country. We demand peace. We demand an immediate end to the killing, and we demand that the EU take serious action.

Mr President, recent riots on the island of Ireland, which began in the town of Ballymena in County Antrim, have morphed from concern about a tragic sexual assault allegation into xenophobic violence against migrant families. As Amnesty Northern Ireland Director Patrick Corrigan said, we are just one petrol bomb away from racially motivated murder. Families have been forced from their homes as groups hurled bricks, petrol bombs and fireworks, leaving innocent children vulnerable and traumatised. This is not a protest for justice; it's racism cloaked in outrage. Sadly, inflammatory political rhetoric has added fuel to the fire. Some politicians have deliberately fanned the flames of hatred and, by linking migration to crime, they've pitted neighbour against neighbour. We must stand with victims and prosecute hate-fuelled crimes swiftly. And we must invest in our community dialogue and integration. Ireland and Europe must show that diversity is a strength, not a threat.

Mr President, I speak today on behalf of the communities in Donegal and Mayo – places where families are living in homes that are literally falling apart around them. These houses were built with defective concrete blocks containing too much mica and pyrite, causing serious structural damage, emotional and financial strain for many, many people. In 2023, I joined colleagues from the Petitions Committee on its fact-finding mission to Donegal, a powerful moment that helped bring much-needed European attention to this crisis. The Parliament visit was built on years of local advocacy and resulted in clear, practical recommendations: first being faster access to a scheme that is fit for purpose, less red tape, stronger support for families, including mental health services, and accountability, with assurances that this would never happen again. We must properly enforce rules on construction materials and hold those to account and prevent this from ever happening again. We must ensure colleagues in the Irish Government and this Parliament deliver on those recommendations to strengthen the protections for everyone's future.

Mr President, the audiovisual industry is worth over EUR 1 billion to Ireland's economy. From actor Rob Lowe to Variety magazine, the world recognises our island as a global production powerhouse. Trump's latest threat to slap a 100 % tariff on foreign movies could wipe out our film industry in an instant. Over 16 000 jobs, many in rural Ireland, hang in the balance. A far cry from Hollywood's drama, the livelihoods of many of my constituents are in doubt as we sit here and debate this morning. Unsurprisingly, this latest policy seems unworkable; given the international and entwined web of investors, labour and revenue, how can one even define a foreign film in this day and age? As time has taught us, there is always scope for a rollback from the Trump administration. However, while we may hope for such courage, we cannot be complacent or naive. I'm calling on the Commission and our Member States to act with urgency and seek the answers from the US on the policy over the coming days and weeks.

Madam President, Commissioner, I was delighted in your statement where you said you're going to pay personal attention, because as I sit here in this Chamber again for the second mandate, I'm listening to these speeches and I cannot help but feel grossly concerned about the direction of travel. Hungary's recently passed legislation is yet another attack on the LGBTI+ community, but this action expands beyond Hungary. It's about the message it sends to every gay or queer kid in Europe, wondering if we are moving forward on their behalf or slipping backwards. We cannot turn a blind eye – yet again – to the blatant attack on the rights of our community in Hungary or elsewhere. We need to take urgent action and that is done through conditionality. We need to find teeth, now more than ever, to actually pin these people to a collar, because ultimately we're turning into the United States of America right now. Equality is non-negotiable and the visibility of any community should not be a crime. EU fundamental rights are not à la carte – as much as some might believe. And we need to find teeth now, Commissioner, more than ever.

Madam President, as we sit here in Parliament tonight, thousands of workers in the pharmaceutical and medtech sectors, many in the west of Ireland, are sitting at home facing 48 hours of deep uncertainty. Ireland is arguably the single most exposed EU Member State to a transatlantic trade war. In 2023 alone, we exported around 36 billion worth of pharmaceuticals and chemicals to the United States, while the jobs of 50 000 Irish workers are dependent on the sector. However, it is for the sake of the European economy as a whole that our attention must be on reaching a negotiated agreement with the US. A trade war is not a fait accompli. The EU successfully avoided tariffs in 2018. We must do the same again this year. To put in terms familiar to President Trump, for the next 48 hours, workers and businesses on both sides of the Atlantic will be watching closely, focused on the real art of the deal. Ultimately, we must ensure that through strong actions and careful words, trade remains a bridge, not a battleground.

Mr President, the Commissioner mentioned two words: stability and predictability. Commissioner, if you ask young men and women in Ireland right now whether they would consider going into farming, sadly most would say 'no'. You heard this no doubt, when you visited Ireland in January, because land is expensive, credit is hard to get, succession is complex to navigate and incomes and markets are volatile. We all know this. But what is incredibly important now is what we go forth with. We cannot ignore the fact that only 7 % of our farmers are under 35, and they need that stability and predictability, now more than ever. We need to make agriculture, the whole sector, more attractive and support young people in a practical manner now. Not later on, but now. It's a matter of food security – you mentioned that – and the survival of our sector across the EU. And with all eyes being on how we're going to fund everything that's in this vision, Commissioner, I'm asking you in your strategy that you will put forward, that you think of the young men and women, which I know you do, but it's incredibly important that we have those practical steps in place so that they can develop a stronger food security for us all.

Madam President, these debates always make me incredibly disappointed in our democratic policies and belief systems. We represent millions of Europeans – LGBTI and other, all – and it saddens me that in this House, that is built on bringing people together, that we forget that in many, many of our speeches. Let me bring it back to why we're discussing this very important parenthood regulation. An estimated 2 million children currently face difficulties in having their parents recognised in another Member State – 2 million children. Not children of gay people or straight people. Just children across our EU right now have difficulties in their parents being recognised by the 27 Member States. This much needed and timely EU parenthood regulation provides that clarity and consistency in helping families navigate the legal systems that have now, up to this point, been fragmented. This is not just a legal case. It's a human issue. No matter where you live in Europe, your rights as a parent must be respected. I want to pay particular attention to the regulation, which will ease burdens on folks like me who may decide one day to have children. As an LGBTI individual and ally, I should, too, face the same rights as everyone in this House and, most importantly, everybody we represent in this House. We cannot afford to let prejudice stand in the way of progress. Europe must treat all families equally, and we must have a Commission and a Council that fight to do that.

Mr President, according to the European Commission, there's 229 million women living in the EU, 5 % more than men. Again, I point out – just ironic – about 5 % of elected officials here sit in this House to debate such an important issue, ignoring the 229 million people that elected us to be here. I certainly welcome the roadmap, but let's be very clear to all EU citizens on the realities facing women in today's world. 87 000 women across the world will die because they're women. Over the course of a decade, that's the city of Amsterdam. 96 % of AI‑generated content known as deepfakes are pornographic in nature, sexualised content targeting women and young girls. We know this from reports that 99 % of them are indeed women and young girls. The foundation of gender equality is built on the rights to live free from all injustices. Yet, at the current pace of progress, gender equality will only be achieved by 2158. Yet I ask, what are we doing in here for the 229 million citizens that elected us and expect us to do better?

Mr President, Commissioner, farmers in Ireland are extremely worried about the prospect of additional tonnes of meat produced at lower costs and poorer environmental standards entering our EU, in direct competition with local meat produced to the highest of European standards – standards we set here for them. As an island nation, Irish farmers know more than most how important trade is, especially in the current political landscape, and there can be no support without concrete answers to the questions below. How do we protect the interests of our farmers and rural communities, and ensure that farmers actually benefit from this trade deal? How do we guarantee that there is no unfair competition, and that our farmers are not left behind in the global market? And how do we ensure that farmers on both sides of the Atlantic meet the same environmental and quality standards? We must negotiate safeguards to ensure that Irish and European farming remains competitive, resilient and fair. The farmers deserve it.

Mr President, the mental health crisis among young people in Ireland and across the EU demands urgent attention, and it'd be remiss of me not to acknowledge the fact that lesson what 2 % or 3 % representation of this Parliament sits in the Chamber tonight to discuss such an important issue, that is, the second leading cause of death for our young people: death by suicide. And yet, Commissioner, we have an empty Chamber. That's not on you – that's on us. And it's certainly disrespectful to the young people and their families who are losing their lives on a daily basis, because we don't get things right in this House. In rural Ireland, for example, services are often distant or unavailable, and young people may not know where to turn to. And I think of the parents, the guardians and teachers who are trying to help out and give the necessary resources without the training supports that they need the most. And this is where we step in. This is where Member States need to be able to see and understand how to tackle the growing crisis that is impacting their communities, and it's vital this direction comes at EU level to protect future generations from this crisis. It has to come from here. It has to be funded by the MFF. We have to see an EU mental health strategy and a European Year to go with it and ultimately not see statistics again and again and again telling us our young people are dying by suicide.

Mr President, what lies before us now is a fragile promise of peace. The ceasefire, while essential, is only the first step, and our focus must now shift to two key issues: accountability and the long road to rebuilding Gaza. A ceasefire does not erase the wrongs of yesterday, and peace will not take root without justice. As the violence ends, we hope, we must ensure that accountability is brought to the fore. Accountability is the foundation on which a lasting peace will be built, ensuring stability in the Middle East in the challenging years ahead, along with justice for the many thousands and thousands of victims. I welcome the Commission's announcement last week of a new aid package for Gaza. But let us be very clear – this is just the beginning. Rebuilding homes, schools and hospitals must require not just money, but strategic vision. The EU, US and UK must lead in investing in the long-term recovery of Gaza's devastated infrastructure. I'm immensely proud of the Irish people's unwavering support for a ceasefire. Even when our critics were loud and harsh, Ireland has stood firm and I have every confidence that we will continue to fight for peace. But this burden can no longer rest on a handful of nations – all 27 Member States must step forward with real and meaningful actions, not just words. The promise of peace is tangible for Israelis and Palestinians alike, but let us not mistake this moment as an end. This is only the beginning of the work we must all do collectively.

Mr President, in 2023, the University College Dublin conducted a survey of over 250 Irish farmers. Over 20 % of farmers surveyed shared they had experienced suicidal ideation in the previous two weeks and nearly 40 % reported experiencing moderate to extremely severe stress. These alarming statistics are a snapshot into the mental health crisis gripping our agricultural community across the EU. Ireland is not an outlier. In France, in 2020, the rate of death by suicide among farmers was over 43 % higher than the national average. In Poland, 168 families lost their farmer in their life by suicide in 2021. We know, through research, the three key indicators of such lives lost are: increasing regulation, designed here in this House; the lack of consistency in agribusiness, which creates financial pressures; and the fact that farming is overwhelmingly done in isolation. This simply can't go on. Commissioner, I, like many of our EU farmers, appreciated your honest reply in your hearing to the mental health of our farming and rural community. I believe that you will work to ensure the issues facing our agriculture sector are alleviated and ultimately farmers can do what they do best and what they love to do, which is farm. But this isn't just on you; this is on each and every one of us – left, right, centre – to deliver the consistency they need.

Mr President, in 2020, a University of Galway study found that 96 % of Irish female politicians received threatening messages, while three quarters faced online threats of physical violence. Deepfake technology has escalated the threat of online harassment of all female politicians. Deepfakes are being weaponised to spread fake news, political misinformation and, most alarmingly, to perpetrate sexual harassment. These manipulated videos violate a woman's privacy and endanger her career and her personal life, and the impact is deeper than this, sadly. It threatens to silence women in public life overall. Fears of such attacks discourage women from running for office or speaking out on key issues. Image‑based sexual abuse increasingly undermines their ability to participate in politics. The AI Act and the DSA mandate transparency for AI‑generated media and content moderation, including clear rules and notice and take‑down procedures for deepfakes. And our Commission and Member States need to do more to implement the safeguards to detect and prevent harmful deepfakes and to address gender‑specific digital threats within AI regulations. Legislation without implementation is failing female politicians. How can we expect women to lead and speak out if we fail to protect them from these attacks?