What Barry spoke about.

17

Dec

2024

Speeches EN

Watch

Misinformation and disinformation on social media platforms, such as TikTok, and related risks to the integrity of elections in Europe (debate)

Mr President, Commissioner McGrath, for the last decade, democracy has been in retreat, and the idea of democratic recession is not new. Freedom House tells us that, in 2024, the year of elections, global freedom declined for the 18th consecutive year. Now, just 20 % of the global population live in fully free countries. And layered on this already serious problem of democratic backsliding is X, TikTok and others putting the interests of their companies ahead of the interests of the public. We need to stop people being forced into narrower and narrower corridors of thought. We need a free marketplace of ideas and a Digital Services Act that's prepared to bear its teeth. I welcome the investigations into TikTok's risk assessment policy for new features and into its age verification practices. Ahead of the Irish national election just a few weeks ago, an NGO, Global Witness, placed paid adverts on TikTok to test its capacity to stop disinformation. One video claimed that you needed two COVID vaccinations to vote, and it was approved by TikTok. This proves that the need for a very strong Digital Services Act remains very acute.

17

Dec

2024

Speeches EN

Watch

Toppling of the Syrian regime, its geopolitical implications and the humanitarian situation in the region (debate)

Mr President, Madam Kallas and colleagues, I am just so pleased that Assad is gone. I campaigned against the policy of normalisation. Just last July, eight EU Member States proposed that we would reopen the Syrian embassy in Brussels. That initiative now looks embarrassing. But at its core was the mistake of trying to put EU migration management policy ahead of what might be in the interests of the wider Syrian people. The reality is that we turned our back on the Syrian opposition. We turned our back on those who fought for justice and against impunity. We turned our back on those who are haunted by the gulags and the prisons and the torture centres. Now, for once, we have an opportunity to invest in reconciliation, in reconstruction of this wonderful country. For the first time, we have an opportunity to really prioritise the interests of the people of Syria in all their diversity. A lot of analysis has focused on Iraq and Syria, but the better example is Sudan. There was a change of leadership there in 2019 and we failed to invest in reconciliation, the growth of democracy, in development. We turned our back on Syrians before. Let us not repeat that mistake.

26

Nov

2024

Questions EN

Watch

Continued escalation in the Middle East: the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and the West Bank, UNRWA’s essential role in the region, the need to release all hostages and the recent ICC arrest warrants (debate)

Mr President, Commissioner, I would first of all say that Mr Kols is wrong, of course: the European Union carried out a very extensive evaluation to satisfy itself that there is no risk whatsoever of the diversion of EU funding from its intended purpose. That has been established time and time again by the European Commission. I would call on the President of the Commission to make a statement putting the full weight of the European Commission behind a request to the Government of Israel to request the Knesset to extend the 90-day period, because, as everybody knows, there is no replacement for UNRWA. As our HR/VP said, all ICC decisions are binding on all Member States. Despite the overwhelming support of EU Member States, we have had no statement from the President of the Commission, and I think it is reasonable to conclude that that silence undermines the legitimacy of the Court and of international law. The EU Action Plan on the ICC states: 'The EU and its Member States will undertake consistent action to encourage full cooperation of states with the ICC, including the prompt execution of arrest warrants'.

25

Nov

2024

Speeches EN

Watch

The outcome of the G20 Leaders' Summit (debate)

Madam President, Mr Commissioner, colleagues, the final communiqué of the G20 summit was surprising in some ways. The establishment of the Global Hunger Alliance was very welcome. The dedication to the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals and the commitment to ending poverty and ending hunger was quite surprising to me. It made me wonder how comfortable EU Member States really would be with signing up to this rededication to traditional development aid. Let's not forget that the EU Member States and the Commission are slashing aid budgets. They are turning their back on traditional development principles and they are diverting aid budgets to migration management. So why does the Global South, under its leadership, dedicate itself to these traditional development goals? It's not because they want to access greater critical raw materials. It's not because they want to address the root causes of migration. They do it because it's right. It is right to be horrified that 700 million people went to bed hungry in 2023, when we have enough food for everybody. So I very much hope that the Commission and Member States take careful note of the importance of this declaration.

22

Oct

2024

Answers EN

Watch

Urgent need for a ceasefire in Lebanon and for safeguarding the UNIFIL mission in light of the recent attacks (debate)

Well, I don't have time to go through your own voting record on human rights issues, but let me restate that the Irish Government was one of the first to recognise the State of Palestine, has continuously insisted on the support of UNWRA, has demanded that there be a review of the EU-Israel trade agreement, and has been four-square standing behind the people of Palestine against Israeli aggression. And this is recognised not only by UNWRA, but by the people of Palestine. And they have very much acknowledged and recognised the commitment of the Irish Government in this very, very difficult time.

22

Oct

2024

Speeches EN

Watch

Urgent need for a ceasefire in Lebanon and for safeguarding the UNIFIL mission in light of the recent attacks (debate)

Madam President, Commissioner and colleagues, Israel's Ambassador to the UN last week said, and I quote, 'Hezbollah is using UNIFIL outposts as hiding places'. This is patently false. The truth is that the IDF has continuously and flagrantly violated international law, drawing condemnation from the US, from the UK, France, Germany and Italy, in a rare show of moral enlightenment. Yesterday, an Israeli bulldozer deliberately demolished an observation tower at a UN position. Last week, two Israeli tanks destroyed the main gate of another UN position. Many UN peacekeepers have been injured. So let me take this opportunity to commend the bravery and integrity of UN peacekeepers drawn from 16 Member States. Under intense pressure, they have held the line, carried out route clearances and managed to resupply vulnerable positions, which really underlines how difficult humanitarian access is in the rest of the region. I am struck by the near unanimity in this House, for once, condemning the actions of the IDF. And I hope this message is heard clearly by the IDF, and especially by those UNIFIL troops, to help them to endure the hardships brought about by the current conflict.

22

Oct

2024

Questions EN

Watch

Urgent need for a ceasefire in Lebanon and for safeguarding the UNIFIL mission in light of the recent attacks (debate)

Is the speaker aware of the widespread reports that for many years the Israeli Government supported Hamas and facilitated financial support to Hamas through third‑party countries in order to undermine the Palestinian Authority? How does he reconcile that fact with the statements he's just made to the Hemicycle?

21

Oct

2024

Speeches EN

Watch

One-minute speeches (Rule 179)

Mr President, Commissioner and colleagues, we are broadly agreed across this House that nothing we do or say would reward Russia for its aggression and its contempt for human rights. Equally, we are broadly agreed that we would not do or say anything that would reward Iran for its aggression. Yet we are now slowly embarking on a policy to do just that, under the banner of so-called normalisation of relations with Assad's Syria. This will send a clear message to Russia and Iran. Having stood by those who sought freedom, having passed countless resolutions condemning Assad's prisons and gulags and executions, and his use of chemical warfare, and looking for an end to impunity, now we quietly return to restore normal relations at a time that can only send one clear message: the EU will stand by those who seek freedom, but if autocrats have the patience and seek the protection of Iran and Russia, they might just succeed.

8

Oct

2024

Speeches EN

Watch

Situation in Sudan (debate)

Mr President, Commissioner and colleagues, in my opinion, nothing more clearly exemplifies how European development policy is off track than what has happened in Sudan over the last five years. In 2019, a very brief window opened where the potential for Sudanese democracy to develop occurred, and the opportunity to invest in the political economy of reconciliation and making and helping democracy to happen was missed. So by 2021, it was almost too late. Then we had an opportunity for cancellation of a massive amount of debt in Sudan, but it was too late. So now we have a tragic situation. Global Gateway is the big idea in European development. But, of course, Global Gateway has nothing to do with Sudan. Global Gateway can work. So what we have to do is concentrate on fragile countries that are impacted by climate, by conflict and by the situation we see in Sudan. It is true that there was a ministerial at the UN General Assembly, but it was completely ineffective. And we all know that aid budgets have been slashed across the European Commission and EU Member States, and we will pay a price for that.

8

Oct

2024

Speeches EN

Watch

Outcome of the Summit of the Future: transforming global governance for building peace, promoting human rights and achieving the sustainable development goals (debate)

Madam President, Commissioner, colleagues, whatever you might say about the shortcomings of the UN, everybody showed up. The UN has incredible convening power, and the European Union, more than anybody else, understands the value of multilateralism; it's in our genes. We understand that the sum is greater than the parts – really, really works at a European level and we believe it can work at a global level. Now, the European Parliament took this summit very seriously. Our President, Roberta Metsola, went over. Five European Parliament committees were represented. There were 13 MEPs on the delegation. So we took it really seriously. But let's be clear, parliaments do not have a significant role in the General Assembly, in any of the UN summits and, indeed, across the UN system. So we really have to reflect on whether we are adding any value as a parliament in what is happening at the UN Summit of the Future. We had no role in negotiation, we were not really attending the Summit of the Future, none of the European Commissioners that were present had the time to meet with us. So these are significant shortfalls. However, the more serious issues are the grim issues that are facing the world, the massive underfunding of overseas development assistance, which is impacting all of the UN agencies. The big trend, of course, was reform of the global financial architecture around multilateral development banks, the move from loans to grants, trying to improve the risk profile and the capital adequacy frameworks of multilateral development banks. So we have a great opportunity in the next while to make sure that we are taken seriously at UN Parliamentary Assemblies.

8

Oct

2024

Speeches EN

Watch

Escalation of violence in the Middle East and the situation in Lebanon (debate)

Madam President, HR/VP, colleagues, I want to talk about the deployment of UNIFIL, UN peacekeepers present in South Lebanon. As you know, there are 29 positions where peacekeepers from different countries are deployed, including from Ireland. And there is now a request from the Israeli Defence Forces that those UN troops be withdrawn, that they be evacuated from South Lebanon. Well, let us remember our lesson of history. When UN peacekeepers were withdrawn from Rwanda, when UN peacekeepers were withdrawn from Srebrenica, these events foreshadowed some of the darkest chapters in the history of the late 20th century. So while I fully respect that this is a military operational decision that will be taken by the force commanders present on the ground, we have to remember that those UN troops are the eyes and ears of the world. We have to remember that the Israeli Defence Forces have shown little regard for international humanitarian law and we know that UNIFIL will play a key role in the inevitable diplomatic resolution of the current wave of violence.

18

Sep

2024

Speeches EN

Watch

EU response to the Mpox outbreak and the need for continuous action (debate)

Mr President, Commissioner, colleagues, I actually believe that we have learned some lessons from both Ebola and from COVID-19, while some remain to be fully absorbed. An example of this is the growing autonomy of the African Centre for Disease Control, which has forced other organisations actually to sit up straight, and this is real progress, and I would describe it as a 'decolonisation of decision-making'. I really commend them for moving so quickly and forcing the hand of the World Health Organisation. Now the African CDC and the WHO are actually working together, as equal partners, and that's progress. So we've partially learned the lesson that effective response to disease outbreak should be locally led. I worked on the Ebola outbreak ten years ago. It was clear afterwards, when we did our lessons-learned exercise, that the outbreak was stopped because of local action. We need to carry this through now to vaccine development, to vaccine procurement and, of course, to vaccine approval, which has been unforgivably slow in this context. We also need to continue – both EU and Member State budgets – our support for health systems. We will have five European Parliament committees in New York for the Summit of the Future, for the SDGs. The SDGs are about leaving no one behind, the furthest behind first, and yet we have a situation – a continuing pattern of neglect – where the Democratic Republic of Congo requires 3.5 million vaccines to control this when that affects children so much, and yet they have only received a very small amount. That is a key lesson that we must learn.

17

Sep

2024

Speeches EN

Watch

War in the Gaza Strip and the situation in the Middle-East (debate)

Madam President, Commissioner and colleagues, the landmark ruling of the International Court of Justice on 19 July creates a positive obligation on the European Union and on all Member States and all countries that support multilateralism, to take such action as they can to end the occupation of Gaza, the West Bank and East Jerusalem. The rule of law consistently applied requires that the Commission and the Council report to this House on the implications of that judgment. Doing nothing now actively erodes international humanitarian law. The only way to avoid degrading international humanitarian law is to act, to either ban trade with occupied territories, to to stop arms sales, to sanction leadership. Sadly, the EU's response has been inaction. The legal question is settled for once and for all about the settlements. We have to do all in our power to bring it to an end. And that's why I call on the Irish Government to act on the Occupied Territories Bill. We need to stop acting as a recruiting sergeant for extremist organisations and start working for peace.

25

Apr

2024

Speeches EN

Watch

Framework of measures for strengthening Europe’s net-zero technology products manufacturing ecosystem (Net Zero Industry Act) (debate)

Mr President, Commissioner and colleagues, as this is my last contribution in this mandate at least, I want to thank all of my colleagues that worked with me on the Sustainable Development Goals Alliance, and it is fitting that my last contribution should be on a law that seeks to chart a path for sustainable development and a Green Deal that works for people and planet. I see the green transition as a unique opportunity to create high-quality jobs in sectors that are very important to Europe, to Dublin and to Ireland. The Net Zero Industry Act is a remarkable piece of legislation that will incentivise public and private investment in wind, solar batteries and in storage. A very welcome shot in the arm for European industry. Dublin is already the tech capital of the European Union, with 16 out of the top 20 digital companies around the world based there. There’s no reason why Ireland shouldn’t be leading in the production of cutting-edge technology and wind, in heat pumps and in carbon capture, with huge competition from the US and China and elsewhere. Net zero will be key to Ireland and the European Union’s future. As I would appear to be the last-scheduled speaker in this mandate, on my behalf and on behalf of my team, I want to thank all of the staff here in Strasbourg and in Brussels for the excellent support that they’ve given me over the last few years.

23

Apr

2024

Speeches EN

Watch

EU’s response to the repeated killing of humanitarian aid workers, journalists and civilians by the Israel Defence Forces in the Gaza Strip (debate)

Madam President, High Representative and colleagues, the Colonna report states that the Government of Israel provided no evidence to support its claim that UNRWA staff were members of Hamas. Nevertheless, these claims led to an avalanche of condemnation of UNRWA by EU Member States, an avalanche of calls to suspend funding of UNRWA, regardless – it seems – of either the devastating humanitarian consequences or the absence of evidence. And if it’s never the wrong time to do the right thing, then the right thing for Austria, Estonia, Finland, Germany, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, the Netherlands, Romania and Sweden is to acknowledge that suspension was a mistake and that UNRWA is indispensable. To make matters worse, the US Congress last week passed a bill providing USD 26 billion in support to Israel and banning aid to UNRWA until 2025. It’s difficult not to lose faith in the face of these circumstances, but as this will be my last speech on this issue – in this mandate at least – let me express my pride in the approach of the Irish Government: increasing aid to UNRWA, recognising Palestine and calling for a review of the EU-Israel Association Agreement.

23

Apr

2024

Speeches EN

Watch

European Disability Card and European Parking Card for persons with disabilities - European Disability Card and European Parking Card for persons with disabilities for third country nationals legally residing in a Member State (joint debate - Disability cards)

Madam President, Madam Commissioner, colleagues, last Friday, I had the honour of meeting with the Disability Federation of Ireland and being the first politician to sign their disability pledge. This commitment, on my part, signifies prioritising disability issues and actively working in Parliament on equality and inclusion. The Disability Federation of Ireland welcomed the European Disability Card, but they stressed that it is not enough, it is just a start. We must fulfil the EU strategy on the rights of persons with disabilities. We must improve electoral accessibility to ensure disabled participation in EU politics and, most importantly, to ensure full accessibility and freedom of movement across the EU through legislation. However, like many other marginalised groups in our society, people with disabilities are fearful of the rise in right-wing populism and what the next mandate may bring. They stressed to me that continuity in the next mandate is vital for people with disabilities. So, as they need representatives who will uphold their rights, people with disabilities tell me that they need the European Union, there is no other regional political entity in the world that stands up for people with disabilities in the way that the European Union does.

23

Apr

2024

Speeches EN

Watch

Combating violence against women and domestic violence (debate)

Mr President, Commissioner and colleagues, discrimination is where human rights cannot be enjoyed to the full, and if we continue to accept the idea that women are less safe than men on our streets, on our trains, in nightclubs, then we accept discrimination and we accept human rights abuses, and we accept second-class status for women. Women fear public transport and dark streets and prepare defensive postures with headphones, looking over their shoulders. This is the learned behaviour generated by a society that doesn’t truly value women’s safety. In my work on the FEMM Committee, I was happy to support this directive. I very much welcome, also, the announcement by the Irish Taoiseach of a special task force on safety in Dublin. There should be a women’s safety adviser in this task force with expertise on safety for women in public places. In addition, a dedicated transport police is a critical element of addressing this discrimination. Today’s directive is a crucial element in delivering a safer Europe for women, and I would like to pay particular tribute to Evin Incir, the co-rapporteur, and to Frances Fitzgerald, my constituency colleague, for their excellent work over the last couple of years.

22

Apr

2024

Speeches EN

Watch

One-minute speeches on matters of political importance

Mr President, Commissioner and colleagues, it was my honour to launch Housing Europe’s election manifesto in Brussels in January. For the last two years, I have been exploring ways in which the EU can directly and indirectly support Ireland’s housing policy options, because the reality is that many people struggle to see what the EU can do to help them with the essentials of life, the cost of living, with healthcare and, for young Dubliners at least, access to housing. And I get it. In Ireland, despite record investment, the housing crisis remains acute, and, far from helping, some EU laws are actually stopping progress. For example, strict EU debt rules forced the government to choose between fiscal prudence and investment in public housing. That is why we need a comprehensive housing strategy for Europe to massively ramp up funding. That’s why we need a special committee on housing to work on this day in and day out. Taking real action on housing is our best defence against Euroscepticism.

22

Apr

2024

Speeches EN

Watch

Prohibiting products made with forced labour on the Union market (debate)

Madam President, Commissioner and colleagues, it is a great pleasure to speak on a new European law aimed at safeguarding the human rights of some of the most vulnerable people in the world. When I visit schools around Dublin, where I come from, and I tell students that their mobile phones, their food and especially their clothes could be tainted by the mark of forced labour and modern slavery, they are astonished, ashamed and they demand action. So this is also about putting power in the hands of consumers and giving them the comfort to know that they are not passively contributing to human rights abuses across the world. I would like to commend the French Government’s recent decision to implement an environmental levy on hyper-fast fashion products, particularly targeting items from Chinese brands like Shein and Temu, as well as banning the advertising of such products. I call on the Irish Government to consider our own national legislation to address the impact of fast fashion and to put an end to the scourge of forced labour and modern slavery. I’d like to congratulate the Outlaw Ocean Project for their excellent investigative journalism in this field, and particularly thank the two rapporteurs, and, if I may say, my friend and colleague Samira Rafaela especially, for their excellent work on this file.

22

Apr

2024

Speeches EN

Watch

Common rules promoting the repair of goods (debate)

Madam President, the new law on the right to repair will put money back into consumers’ pockets. It will bring new life to broken appliances and make sure that we move away from a disposable economy to a circular economy. The throwaway culture has come to an end. Your smartphones, your airfryer, your bicycles can be repaired even after the expiration of a warranty or a guarantee. Saving 4 million tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions is the equivalent of taking 2 million cars off the road. European consumers lose almost EUR 12 billion a year in buying replacements for goods that could have been repaired. This directive shows how the Green Deal can work for consumers, and for those of us who have consistently voted in favour of Green Deal measures throughout this mandate, it is crucial that we use these positive measures to show members of the public that laws that protect the environment are a win-win for people and for planet.

13

Mar

2024

Speeches EN

Watch

The immediate risk of mass starvation in Gaza and the attacks on humanitarian aid deliveries

Mr President, Commissioner, colleagues, first of all I would like to applaud the many Irish artists who have refused to participate in the South by Southwest Festival over the issue of US Army sponsorship. It is correct to shift the focus onto the issue of arms exports to Israel. Last month, the US Senate approved a military aid package of USD 14.5 billion. I can only summarise the official EU and US policy as one of wanting well-fed corpses. Providing aid to Gaza with one hand and bombs to Israel with the other is absurd. Gripped by a long-overdue crisis of conscience, the US and the EU make great play of airdrops, maritime corridors and calls for Israel to open new humanitarian routes. What is the logic here? Do they really think that innocent Gazan women and children will be grateful for aid sent to them by the same people that supply arms targeted at them? I would be embarrassed and ashamed to be associated with such a perverse policy.

13

Mar

2024

Speeches GA

Watch

European Semester for economic policy coordination 2024 – European Semester for economic policy coordination: employment and social priorities for 2024 (joint debate – European Semester)

Mr. President, I wish everyone a warm greeting on St. Patrick's Day. It's Irish language week in Ireland and many people around the world do their best throughout the week to use our own language. First of all, I would like to thank the authors of this report. It is, in my view, a very important topic. Most importantly, European money is available to help with rising costs. There are a lot of families under pressure at this time. But where is the Irish government's request for the RRF? Why didn't they ask for the money? Why is Ireland's application delayed? Now we have to make a hurry.

12

Mar

2024

Speeches EN

Watch

The adoption of the Special Measure in favour of Tunisia for 2023 (debate)

Madam President, Commissioner, and colleagues, externalisation is the current popular approach. The UK recently – this week – struck an agreement with Libya. Meanwhile, the UK Foreign Office advises against all travel to Libya. It says if you are in Libya against this advice, you should seek to leave immediately by any practical means. The irony of this paradox is not lost on anybody. This advice, of course, applies only to UK citizens. So what do migrants face in Tunisia? They face racism against black Africans, sexual harassment, police beatings, separation from family members – all comprehensively documented and all comprehensively ignored by the Commission. All of this is swept aside for political expediency. Sadly, when you become far right to defeat the far right, you have already lost and they have won.

12

Mar

2024

Speeches EN

Watch

State of play of the corporate sustainability due diligence directive (debate)

Madam President, Commissioner and colleagues, this morning I listened to a presentation on sustainable global supply chains from the SWP, a think tank in Germany, and the German Ministry of Economic Cooperation described its own government’s position on this directive as an embarrassment. At no point did the German Government or my colleagues in the FDP indicate that they intended to kill this directive. Even what is proposed now by the Belgian Presidency would bring just 40 Irish companies within its scope. This is not corporate accountability, frankly. Sustainable global supply chains – of which this directive, alongside the Critical Raw Materials Act, plays a significant part – are critical to the twin transition. Creating secure supply chains and just supply chains must go hand in hand. For me, and in general terms, global supply chains represent the final step of decolonisation. It means empowering our partners in the Global South to add value to their vast natural resources. And this can be reconciled with the need for EU competitiveness, and diversified and resilient supply chains.

12

Mar

2024

Speeches EN

Watch

Question Time with Commissioners - Preparedness of EU governments to combat foreign interference, including from Russia

Commissioner, I have a very specific question about media blackouts in the immediate 24 hours before elections. I think you will say that this is a matter for Member States, that it’s a national competence – and that’s probably correct. Nevertheless, I would like to hear what the Commission has to say about the vacuum that is created by the 24-hour media blackouts, the vulnerability that it creates for our democracies, where there is a ban on public discussion in the media about the election that is going to take place within 24 hours. And of course, as we heard in the last debate, artificial intelligence has the capacity to really supercharge this kind of disinformation in the 24 hours before an election. It’s much harder to detect. It’s in the hands of many, many people. And we have seen examples of it: both in 2017, with the famous ‘Macron leaks’ period, and also in 2020 in the US election. So my question is: do you have any plan to communicate with Member States ahead of the European Parliament elections about what I consider to be a ridiculous 24-hour media blackout period?