Speeches

Madam President, genocide, famine, war: the EU was formed on the promise that we would stop such atrocities from happening again. Yet the people of Gaza are dying in their tens of thousands. I have said it before in this Chamber: Israel must end its siege. Military operations must cease. Aid must flow freely. It is unacceptable that the Commission and the European Council have failed to take action more than 18 months on from Ireland and Spain calling for the review of the EU-Israel Association Agreement. That agreement must be suspended. Israel must be held accountable. We need a ceasefire, the release of all hostages and the unrestricted aid flow now.

Mr President, almost half of Europe's population take no part in sport or physical activity. That is a challenge we cannot ignore. Later this month, to mark the 10th European Week of Sport, I will bring together policymakers, athletes and advocates in Brussels to ask a simple question: how do we build healthier, more active societies? In Ireland, we have seen the difference investment makes: 'active cities' in Galway, public basketball courts in Meath and Sport Ireland's Girls Get Active programme. Communities are breaking down barriers and creating new opportunities. Last month, the Irish government announced EUR 4.1 million to strengthen sporting bodies and EUR 1.3 million for community sports hubs. Now Europe must match this ambition. The next EU budget must, through Erasmus+ and the Regional Development Fund, target sports investment to get Europe moving. This will have a positive impact on our health systems. We must leave no one behind.

Mr President, today's discussion comes at a critical moment to look at the role of the Internet Governance Forum as reports emerge that Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, may have actively suppressed internal research on child safety. Unfortunately, we know that more and more children are being groomed and exploited on the internet. It's a crisis that demands our full attention and it starts with proper age verification tools. I have taken part on countless discussions on online safety, but the insights that stay with me most often come from home: seeing first-hand how my two daughters engage with technology, the constant worry of age-inappropriate material reaching their screens. The threats are there. They are real, and they are having a massive effect on our young people. The fight to protect children online is one that involves all of us – policy-makers, tech companies, teachers and families. As technology continues to evolve, we must move just as fast and to put in place child-centred, EU-wide laws that offer real protection. The time for talking is over. The time to act is now.

Madam President, Commissioner, if you're fighting a war, you don't cut your defence budget. If you're battling wildfires and drought, you don't slash your resilience or preparedness funds. And if you're serious about building a sustainable, secure food system, one that pays farmers fairly and protects rural life, you should not cut the Common Agricultural Policy. Yes, the CAP puts food on our tables, but it does so much more. Farmers are the guardians of our land. They are the first hit by climate change. They remain the foundation of our food security. The CAP is not a budget line – it's a lifeline. It funds greener, smarter practices. It keeps families on their farms across generations. As I've said many times before, here, we need a ring-fenced CAP, we need an increased CAP, and we must invest in our young farmers. Because without them, without the next generation, there is no future.

Mr President, Commissioner, Minister, global trade is running low on much needed certainty. And while we can afford some breathing room until 1 August, the need for a clear framework and comprehensive trade agreement with the United States looms large. Ireland's stance remains unchanged. We have constantly called for zero‑for‑zero tariffs. Businesses require predictability and stability, from SMEs in Connemara to multinationals along our urban commuter belts. In fact, uncertainty itself may be the highest cost, because when businesses hesitate investment slows. So while we support you fully, Commissioner and your team, to get the best outcome, I want to again reiterate the focus that we must also move beyond the United States. We need to remove the many barriers that still exist within our own EU single market and simplify the rules that govern it. We can unlock more trade across Europe. Our economies, jobs and people depend on it.

Madam President, Commissioner, just two months ago, this Chamber voted to outline our priorities for a modern, robust EU budget. As we look to the Commission's proposal on 16 July, we expect this Parliament's position to be reflected in that proposal. Among our key priorities is the need to maintain the CAP as a strong standalone policy, with Pillars 1 and 2 kept separate from other programmes. For Europe to remain competitive, we must prioritise the strength of our farming and agrifood sectors. Just as important is our commitment to research and innovation, and therefore continued funding for Horizon Europe and Erasmus+. Additionally, recent global events have reminded us of the vital importance of unity and solidarity. Continued support for development and humanitarian aid remains essential, especially in times of conflict and natural disaster. Looking ahead, I trust the Commission will remain open to constructive discussions with the Parliament to ensure the delivery of a budget that meets our shared ambitions and the expectations of our citizens.

Madam President, it is unacceptable how easy it is for our children to access harmful content online. Existing rules alone are not enough to keep pace with current trends. I want to bring to attention a troubling issue around artificial intelligence models that are capable of creating synthetic child sexual abuse material. AI-generated nude pictures of children are being produced from users accessing readily available images from online platforms. Offenders are using our family photos, our social media posts, to create these vile sexual images. 98 % of this content involves young girls. As I'm lucky enough to be a mother, this is simply terrifying. Unfortunately, this technology is becoming increasingly accessible and tailored for abusers to bypass detection and regulation. It is crucial for the European Commission and the Council to put online protection of minors at the forefront of our digital policy agenda. We owe it to our children to act now, before more damage is done.

Madam President, thank you, Commissioner, I welcome the Commission's openness to moving away from an institutional model of care towards community-based support for those most vulnerable, including our older people. By 2050, people aged 55 and over will make up just over 40 % of Europe's population. As a result, more individuals are likely to be living with dementia, reduced mobility and chronic illnesses. We must take concrete action now to build communities that empower older people to live independent lives with access to tailored support. I recently visited Age Friendly Ireland's Homes programme in County Meath in Ireland, which helps older people remain living in their own homes or in a home more suited to their needs. Projects like this are expected to save EUR 41 million a year by reducing hospitalisations and delaying long-term care. This model can be rolled out across Europe to build a healthier future where people can age with dignity. Now, all we need is political will.

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 rules, especially reducing time delays, allowing people to claim their compensation and reducing complex red tape, is a step in the right direction. Passengers should not have to wait for many months or even years to hear back from an airline on a legitimate claim for compensation. Airlines should comply with stricter information obligations, especially regarding the handling of complaints and requests, and so the move to require pre‑filled compensation forms for cancelled flights is very welcome. However, the existing reimbursement rules, which have been standard for many years now, should remain in place and so, in line with previous European Parliament positions, any move to significantly water down existing passenger rights will be opposed in this Parliament. We have not revised the air passenger rules for 20 years now and while it is high time to do so, I believe we must find a balanced solution to these challenges, working with airlines, but it cannot come at the expense of consumer protection.

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 unfinished patchwork. As we continue to work on the implementation of the TEN-T corridors, we must also keep in mind those peripheral regions, as well as rural transport. And so, an integrated single transport market must work for all Europeans – urban and rural alike. That is why I welcome the focus in your mission letter, Commissioner, on the Sustainable Transport Investment Plan. And what we need now is a clear set of guidelines and principles to help us work towards decarbonisation of our transport networks – be it rail, road, sea or air. In Ireland, I want to note that major progress is under way and plans are in the works, from Navan rail line and the Dart+ expansion to investments in sustainable aviation fuel hubs at Dublin Airport. My final message to you is to push for a strengthened Connecting Europe Facility within the next MFF to ensure that Europe puts its money where its mouth is, to decarbonise more quickly and to enhance connectivity.

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 it is for minors to gain access to explicit content online; and two, the current ease for abusers to hide behind fake profiles. It's troubling to see how easily children can bypass age checks online. A click of a checkbox with false date of birth and suddenly they have access to harmful content. The Commission must bring forward robust and mandatory age and identity verification checks to combat this. The same goes for those hiding behind fake profiles. It makes detection, prevention and prosecution an uphill battle for authorities. Europe must keep the pace.

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 border. The 2025 Future Skills Report, compiled on behalf of Louth and Meath Education and Training Board, showed that the engagement in the sector remains low among younger people, and especially women. If we are to compete on a global scale, we must break the barriers contributing to the skills gap in Europe. The EU now needs to follow up on its Union of Skills initiative with concrete actions, creating lasting opportunities for young, skilled workers. This is not a task that one region, one sector or one government can tackle alone. It's a shared challenge.

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 Louth, which sit at crossroads between rural and urban life. These are fast-growing areas under significant pressure, experiencing rapid population growth but without matching investment. These areas can fall into a policy blind spot – too urban to qualify for traditional rural funding and too rural to benefit from urban‑focused infrastructure plans. So as we look towards 2040, I urge the Commission to ensure that cohesion and rural development funds can be used flexibly to address these gaps.

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 Association Agreement – a step Ireland and Spain first called for in February 2024. But this review must now move forward urgently with clear outcomes. Trade with Israel should be suspended. We cannot stay silent in the face of such suffering and the ongoing breach of international humanitarian law. We need an immediate ceasefire, the release of all hostages and unrestricted humanitarian access now!

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 farming and agri-food sector. Farming is not just an industry. It is the backbone of our rural communities. We also need bold investment in research, innovation and education. I welcome the report's strong backing for Horizon Europe and Erasmus+, essential tools for building a skilled, future-ready workforce. Let's not overlook preventative health care and access to sport. A strong agri-food sector leads to a healthier, more active population. Finally, we must show solidarity across borders and maintain strong support for humanitarian aid in the face of global instability. Let's build a budget that meets Europe's ambition.

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 towards our own internal market. Europe must prioritise becoming more competitive, resilient and decisive. That means investing in innovation, cutting red tape and creating a genuine market for capital. And we must also look to new horizons, by securing new but fair trade agreements that open doors for our consumers and businesses. We have already proven that a united voice, a united Europe is the only way forward.

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 matter more than ever, the EU and the UK have everything to gain from resetting relations. Although the TCA lays a crucial foundation, the world has changed considerably since its signing four years ago. It remains a framework that can and should be built upon. A comprehensive veterinary agreement would be an immediate and impactful step forward, unlocking significant opportunities for farmers and agri‑food businesses. Progress on mutual recognition for professional qualifications would have major benefits. In the same way, bringing the UK closer to Erasmus+ would be an undeniable win for students and apprentices. In an era where tackling climate change requires coordinated global efforts, closer alignment on emissions trading schemes would be a logical step to prevent carbon leakage. Closer integration of electricity markets and fully harnessing the North Sea's potential would enhance energy security, reduce consumer costs, increase resilience to external shocks and support progress towards net zero. Stabilising the EU‑UK relationship will bolster both peace and prosperity in Northern Ireland. As 19 May draws near, we are presented with a historic opportunity, one that should serve as a foundation for an ambitious and forward‑looking agenda. This is our moment to reshape a new chapter in EU‑UK relations.

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 North Seas to foreign interference in Irish borders, the risks are real. With over 75 % of transatlantic data flows passing through or near Ireland, protecting these cables is not just an Irish concern, it's a European one. I welcome ongoing EU and Irish efforts to enhance maritime surveillance, expanding, monitoring and strengthening cooperation. A resilient and interconnected Europe is essential for both our prosperity and security.

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 role ports play in Europe's transport and energy networks. Irish ports such as Galway, Drogheda, Killybegs and Sligo are not just gateways; they are strategic assets. They will be central to both our fishing industry and unlocking offshore renewable energy. The pact must fully reflect this strategic role. But to be truly effective, the pact must also address unsustainable fishing by non-EU vessels in our waters. This cannot be allowed to continue unchecked. So the oceans pact must deliver for both our marine ecosystems and the communities who depend on them.

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 greater financial backing for SMEs, simplifying their reporting obligations and lowering barriers to the single market, our greatest asset. I also welcome the clear focus on fighting disinformation, promoting gender equality and investing in healthcare and humanitarian aid. Let's make sure the 2026 budget delivers for all Europeans.

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 only the first step, and we as MEPs have to work with you and to support you to turn this vision into real change. That means ensuring that the policies set in motion are backed by the necessary funding in the next common agricultural policy. Farmers have been promised change time and time again, and we now have your roadmap and it's time for us all to move beyond talk: it's time for real, concrete action.

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, especially SMEs, to expand across borders. Then there's the Capital Markets Union. We currently rely too much on banks for funding. We need to let savings and investments flow more freely across Europe. And let's not forget digital and energy markets – still fragmented. The solution for this? Simplified EU‑wide rules. And the only final point: European consumers also expect safe and traceable products, particularly in agri‑food goods. But when imports fail, we must meet standards, and we must react swiftly to protect businesses, farmers and consumers alike. So 30 years after the single market was born, it's time to finish what we started.

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 severe underfunding of critical support services for women to gaps in legal frameworks addressing gender-based violence. An excellent example of progress, however, is the Zero Tolerance Meath pilot project in Ireland, led by Meath Women's Refuge and Support Services, to tackle domestic sexual and gender-based violence. And so I urge the Commission to use this roadmap as a foundation for the post-2025 Gender Equality Strategy, while also ensuring the full and timely implementation of the Directive on gender-based violence. Words are not enough. Action is needed now!

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 Commissioner's latest simplification package could save our companies EUR 6.3 billion in administrative costs. However, as we streamline, we must maintain regulatory certainty and clarity. I welcome proposals to revise the scope of the CSRD, reducing heavy burdens on SMEs and enabling them to prioritise innovation. Yet, simplification cannot compromise our climate commitments. With clear climate targets for 2030 and beyond, the fundamental course of direction is not changing and so regulatory adjustments must reinforce, not weaken our green objectives. In this context, I have two questions for the Commission. Firstly, will the upcoming agricultural simplification be as ambitious as those in the first Omnibus proposal and can you provide more detail here, please? Secondly, in the context of the EU-UK reset, could you clarify how simplifications within the CBAM may affect alignment with the UK's ETS?

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 production has complied with EU environmental, animal welfare and labour standards. This shows that Europeans, as consumers, value the work we do here to protect high standards, and ensure traceability and sustainability. One of the greatest strengths of the European Union is its high standards in traceability and food security. We have a duty to ensure that all products coming into the EU meet these standards. Irish farmers are proud of their product and are committed to upholding high standards, but also expect to be on a level playing field with their competition.