What Nina spoke about.

17 Jun

2025

EN Speech

Latest developments on the revision of the air passenger rights and airline liability regulations (debate)

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Madam President, flight delays and cancellations ruin plans. Many of us have been there, but thanks to EU‑wide legislation, we have strong air passenger rights in place to deal with these circumstances. Despite the fact that there has been much stalemate in this area over the past 10 years, some of the recent moves by the Council earlier this month are to be welcomed. Creating simpler and clearer …

17 Jun

2025

EN Speech

EU framework conditions for competitive, efficient and sustainable public transport services at all levels (debate)

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Mr President, Commissioner, the trans-European transport network has gone a long way to connect the heart of Europe to its peripheries, be it Ireland, Malta, Cyprus or Greece. But this backbone of European connectivity is a project that is not yet complete. We often talk about the single market for free movement of goods, services and people, but the single market for transport remains an unfinish…

17 Jun

2025

EN Speech

Combating the sexual abuse and sexual exploitation of children and child sexual abuse material and replacing Council Framework Decision 2004/68/JHA (recast) (debate)

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Madam President, thank you to the rapporteur for his great work on this file. The directive on combating child sexual abuse is a welcome move in shielding our children in both online and offline spheres. As we know, the internet has shaped our world in so many positive way, but it has also opened up terrifying avenues for our children. I want to use my time to focus on two key risks: one, how easy…

16 Jun

2025

EN Speech

One-minute speeches on matters of political importance

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Mr President, addressing the skills gap in Europe has rightly been identified as a core priority of this Commission, and so we should not be surprised to learn that a new report in Ireland has found that there is urgent need to take action in the advanced manufacturing sector. The sector has now faced threats that will impact innovation, competitiveness and economic growth on both sides of the bor…

16 Jun

2025

EN Speech

Strengthening rural areas in the EU through cohesion policy (debate)

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Madam President, Commissioner, thank you, and thank you to the rapporteur for his work on this report. Cohesion funding creates jobs, boosts enterprise and makes rural Ireland a more attractive place to live. And identifying regional growth centres like Sligo in the north-west of Ireland is one way of rebalancing population growth away from many commuter counties such as Meath, Kildare, Laois and …

21 May

2025

EN Speech

The EU's response to the Israeli government's plan to seize the Gaza Strip, ensuring effective humanitarian support and the liberation of hostages (debate)

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Madam President, over 50 000 men, women and children have been killed in Gaza. And just today, I heard directly from the Director of UNWRA, who made clear that tens of thousands more face starvation. Israel must be forced to change course. Military operations must stop immediately. The aid blockade must be fully lifted. I welcome yesterday's decision by EU foreign ministers to review the EU-Israel…

6 May

2025

EN Speech

A revamped long-term budget for the Union in a changing world (debate)

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Mr President, Commissioner, as we look ahead to the next EU budget, one thing is clear: Europe needs a smart results-driven MFF focused on the future. We must invest where it counts, in economic growth, agriculture, job creation and competitiveness. Our budget must be predictable for long-term planning, yet flexible enough to respond to crisis. A competitive Europe begins with a competitive farmin…

6 May

2025

EN Speech

A unified EU response to unjustified US trade measures and global trade opportunities for the EU (debate)

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Mr President, Commissioner, the EU and the US economic relationship is built on decades of cooperation and mutual success. However, when our industries, farmers and SMEs face unfair trade measures, Europe must respond. We are strongest when united. Acting together, we send a clear signal that we will not be divided or weakened by economic pressure. Our response must be twofold. We must look toward…

5 May

2025

EN Speech

Preparation of the EU-UK summit (debate)

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Madam President, Commissioner, since arriving in Parliament, I've been struck by an assumption often made here that Brexit is a settled matter. In reality, its consequences continue to shape political and economic life in Ireland, the UK and across Europe. Anticipation is building ahead of the upcoming EU‑UK summit on 19 May, and in a world where economic stability, security and trade openness mat…

2 Apr

2025

EN Speech

The importance of trans-European transport infrastructure in times of stalling economic growth and major threats to Europe’s security (debate)

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Mr President, Commissioner, as we navigate heightened security threats, we must recognise that a robust and resilient TEN-T network is not just an economic necessity, it is the pillar of European security. Our roads, ports, air transport links and railways sustain the EU internal market. But infrastructure is increasingly becoming a geopolitical target. From Russian shadow fleets in the Baltic and…

2 Apr

2025

EN Speech

European oceans pact (debate)

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Mr President, Commissioner, the EU oceans pact has the potential to transform our seas, coastal communities and the blue economy. The well-being of Ireland's coastal regions and fishing communities depends on the health of our marine environment. But this pact must also be a catalyst for meaningful and lasting change. As Vice-Chair of the SEARICA Intergroup with a focus on ports, I see the pivotal…

31 Mar

2025

EN Speech

Guidelines for the 2026 budget - Section III (debate)

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Mr President, Commissioner, firstly, congratulations to the rapporteur Mr Halicki on a well‑crafted, forward‑looking report. The 2026 budget will be a vital tool to strengthen Europe's agriculture, fisheries, research and education sectors. But it must also rise to the challenge of new and fast‑evolving priorities. To boost its competitiveness, Europe must innovate more and faster. That means grea…

13 Mar

2025

EN Speech

A Vision for Agriculture and Food (debate)

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Mr President, 100 days ago the Commissioner was set the task of crafting a new and bold vision for the future of farming in Europe. To your credit, Commissioner, you have delivered a realistic roadmap that is unafraid to tackle the challenges faced by farmers – a vision that supports local production, prioritises generational renewal and paves the way for fair prices. As you know, this vision is o…

12 Mar

2025

EN Speech

EU Consumers Day: filling the gaps in protecting 440 million consumers in the EU (debate)

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Mr President, the European single market has been the foundation of our economic success, connecting 450 million consumers across 27 countries. But let's be honest: it's not yet finished. And by leaving it unfinished, we are letting down European consumers and businesses alike. The biggest gap is services: 70 % of the EU economy. Yet complex regulations and red tape make it tough for companies, es…

11 Mar

2025

EN Speech

Roadmap for Women`s Rights (debate)

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Mr President, Commissioner, I want to start by welcoming the new Roadmap for Women's Rights. Gender equality is a fundamental principle of the EU, and this roadmap is a crucial step forward. However, we must ensure it leads to real change. In these times of geopolitical uncertainty, we cannot afford to backslide on gender equality. Across Europe, we are seeing growing threats to these rights, from…

10 Mar

2025

EN Speech

Cutting red tape and simplifying business in the EU: the first Omnibus proposals (debate)

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Madam President, Commissioner, over 60 % of EU companies today identify excessive regulation as a significant barrier to investment and 55 % of SMEs cite regulatory and administrative burdens as their main challenge. In the current EU political climate, marked by concerns over tariffs, trade tensions and the spectre of Donald Trump, simplification in EU rules have never been more crucial. The Comm…

13 Feb

2025

EN Speech

EU-Mercosur Trade Agreement (debate)

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Mr President, free and open trade is crucial for both Ireland and Europe, but I want to again raise my concerns on the Mercosur trade agreement around traceability and the need for a level playing field for our farmers and food producers. A recent Eurobarometer survey highlights the fact that 88 % of Europeans agree that agricultural imports of any origin should only enter the EU if their producti…

12 Feb

2025

EN Speech

Competitiveness Compass (debate)

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Madam President, to strengthen our economy we must start with smarter regulation. With much global uncertainty, completing and fully leveraging our single market – the largest in the world – must follow suit. Removing barriers will strengthen resilience, attract investment, and create jobs. A Union of Skills will be central to this effort. Prioritising lifelong learning, STEM education and upskill…

11 Feb

2025

EN Speech

Boosting vocational education and training in times of labour market transitions (debate)

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Madam President, Europe stands at a pivotal moment in relation to skills. Our labour market is undergoing significant change, driven by technology, the green transition and changing economic demands. Without investing in skills, we risk falling behind on the global stage. As our industries and businesses are crying out for workers with the right expertise, further education and training is more cr…

22 Jan

2025

EN Speech

Addressing EU demographic challenges: towards the implementation of the 2023 Demography Toolbox (debate)

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Mr President, Europe is ageing rapidly, and by 2014, nearly 1 in 3 people will be over 65, and more than 1 in 10, over 80, driving the demand for long‑term care services, especially for conditions like dementia. We know age is the key driver to dementia and Alzheimer's disease. In 2020, approximately 7 million people in the EU had dementia – a number projected to double by 2050. Yet today, nearly …

21 Jan

2025

EN Answer

Need to enforce the Digital Services Act to protect democracy on social media platforms including against foreign interference and biased algorithms (debate)

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Thank you for your question, but what I'm trying to say is I think we should really, really put pressure on the platforms to make sure there's verification identity, and I think this would solve a lot of problems.…

21 Jan

2025

EN Speech

Need to enforce the Digital Services Act to protect democracy on social media platforms including against foreign interference and biased algorithms (debate)

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Madam President, Commissioner, we are at a critical moment when it comes to both protecting our democracies and citizens in the digital age. Many social media platforms, which once served as tools for connection, are increasingly becoming hubs for disinformation, exploitation and harm. This isn't just about protecting democracy. Anonymity is being weaponised in other ways. Catfishing, where predat…

17 Dec

2024

EN Speech

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

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Mr President, Commissioner McGrath, imagine a friend scrolling through TikTok or Instagram, stumbling upon disinformation that influences how they vote. This isn't a fantasy; it is our reality. In recent elections across Europe, we have witnessed first hand the impact of unchecked disinformation. Social media platforms have often failed to detect and address the spread of false narratives, leaving…

26 Nov

2024

EN Speech

Urgent need to tackle the gender pay gap (debate)

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Madam President, the gender pay gap is a pressing issue right across Europe. Women earn on average 13 % less per hour than men, and this inequality has lifelong consequences. Women's economic empowerment demands urgent action. It is our role as lawmakers to foster policies that empower women, especially young women, to become the leaders of tomorrow. Advancing women into leadership roles, enforcin…

26 Nov

2024

EN Speech

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)

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Mr President, the humanitarian crisis in Gaza has reached unprecedented levels, with countless lives depending on the indispensable work of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency. Suspending funding for UNRWA would be catastrophic, cutting off critical services to millions of Palestinian refugees. No organisation matches UNRWA's comprehensive aid delivery in Gaza, and recent Israeli legislativ…