What Barry spoke about.

5 Oct

2026

EN Speech

One-minute speeches on matters of political importance

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

8 Jul

2026

EN Speech

Harnessing the potential of a competitive and sustainable EU Bioeconomy Strategy for EU strategic autonomy (debate)

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

6 Jul

2026

EN Speech

One-minute speeches on matters of political importance

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

19 May

2026

EN Speech

Presentation of the Fertilisers Action Plan (debate)

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

30 Apr

2026

EN Speech

How to secure a sustainable future for the EU livestock sector in light of the need to ensure food security, farmers’ resilience and the challenges posed by animal diseases? (debate)

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

27 Apr

2026

EN Speech

One-minute speeches on matters of political importance

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

25 Mar

2026

EN Speech

One-minute speeches on matters of political importance

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

10 Mar

2026

EN Speech

Housing crisis in the European Union with the aim of proposing solutions for decent, sustainable and affordable housing (debate)

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

9 Mar

2026

EN Speech

One-minute speeches on matters of political importance

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

12 Feb

2026

EN Answer

Cooperation among enforcement authorities regarding unfair trading practices in the agri-food supply chain (debate)

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

12 Feb

2026

EN Speech

Cooperation among enforcement authorities regarding unfair trading practices in the agri-food supply chain (debate)

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

10 Feb

2026

EN Speech

Extreme weather events in particular in Portugal, southern Italy, Malta and Greece: European response in strengthening readiness, preparedness and solidarity mechanisms (debate)

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

9 Feb

2026

EN Speech

One-minute speeches on matters of political importance

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

21 Jan

2026

EN Speech

Preparations for the EU-India summit (debate)

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

19 Jan

2026

EN Speech

One-minute speeches on matters of political importance

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

26 Nov

2025

EN Speech

Implementation of the EU-UK Trade and Cooperation Agreement (debate)

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

7 Oct

2025

EN Speech

EU political strategy on Latin America (debate)

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

7 Oct

2025

EN Speech

New Strategic EU-India Agenda (debate)

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

7 Oct

2025

EN Speech

Common agricultural policy (joint debate)

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

10 Sep

2025

EN Speech

China’s unjustified decision to impose duties on imports of pork products from the EU and the need to support European farmers and workers (debate)

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

10 Jul

2025

EN Speech

Post-2027 Common Agricultural Policy (debate)

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

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

5 May

2025

EN Speech

Preparation of the EU-UK summit (debate)

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

31 Mar

2025

EN Speech

One-minute speeches on matters of political importance

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Madam President, in two days' time, the Trump administration will impose tariffs that threaten the future of the European economy, not just for months, but possibly for years to come. Europe must respond firmly, but strategically. Our counter-tariffs, when they arrive in mid-April, must be measured and considered. It's inevitable during this consultation period that individual Member States, their…

13 Mar

2025

EN Answer

A Vision for Agriculture and Food (debate)

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Thank you, MEP Flanagan. And you're quite correct, of course. I'm well aware of the impact, and the fears and concerns that exist in many farmers, many landowners, whose soil is designated as peaty, and the worries that they would have for the implications of what's contained. However, I'm convinced that the Commission, in its efforts to have this addressed, primarily is committed to nature restor…