Speeches

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 governments and sector representatives will make the case for their right to be shielded from such tariffs. I personally, for example, have made representations to the Commission on behalf of several Irish industries. But when the time comes, it's vital that we unite. In times of crisis, the strength of the EU has always been its unity. We are all now well aware that the EU exports EUR 157 billion more in goods to the US, while the US has a EUR 109 billion surplus in services. It's a mutually beneficial relationship, one that tariffs will only damage. As such, if and when the time comes, we must engage with the Trump administration transactionally, exploring American LNG purchases, for example, and security commitments, as part of a solution to avoid all-out trade war. All in all, let's make sure the EU's response is measured and politically precise. The goal must be to bring the US back to the table because, as we all know, a trade war serves neither them nor us.

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 restoration laws and rewetting programmes, which Ireland and the region has committed strongly to. It has been funded by this Commission to the tune of EUR 100 million – to Bord na Móna, for example, a state body that has responsibility in this regard, that will meet much of the demands that are contained within that. I think farmers will continue to be in a position to carry out farm practices in relation to ploughing, in relation to reseeding, in relation to maintenance of drains ...

Mr President, Commissioner Hansen, thank you for your presentation earlier. As I mentioned when we met yesterday morning, I welcome much of what is contained in the vision, particularly the Commission's intention to shift the future CAP from a system of conditions to that of incentives. That, of course, is a step in the right direction. However, the vision falls short in addressing one critical issue: the need for a strong CAP in the next multiannual financial framework. This vision is worryingly vague, and there are persistent rumours that the CAP budget could be merged into a broader funding pot. It says nothing concrete specifically about the budgetary needs of the next CAP, failing to acknowledge the need for new funds to pay for the transition towards sustainable food systems and productions. So, Commissioner Hansen, I'd like to ask you at this stage, have you identified the level of funding needed to sustain the CAP in the next MFF? And crucially, what steps are you taking within the College to secure this funding?

Madam President, Commissioner, colleagues, we face a new global reality today, with countries retreating from trade and turning to protectionism. Amidst this shift, it's natural for the EU to seek new trading partners. In doing so, however, we must continue to uphold our principles by ensuring a level playing field. As it stands, the Mercosur deal lacks key guarantees and imposes demands on Europe's farmers not matched by Mercosur nations. On the whole, for example, Ireland's agricultural industry has three strategic goals, all with EU competences: extending the nitrates derogation, an increased CAP budget and stopping a Mercosur deal that farmers believe threatens beef exports. If the Commission were to provide meaningful assurances around the Mercosur deal and firm commitments on the derogations in the next CAP, I believe farmers' views could shift. Our country, for example, presently enjoys an EUR 800 million trade surplus with Mercosur nations. This deal has the potential to bring about further opportunities, but good politics is ultimately about compromise. Good politics! And the question now is whether the Commission will prove its political astuteness by strengthening the deal and providing strategic assurances on the CAP and the derogation – or not!

Madam President, the economic ties between Europe and the US are amongst the strongest there is globally, with trade flows exceeding 1.5 trillion annually. The EU exported 156 billion more in goods to the US, while the US holds a 104 billion surplus in services. So it is a partnership of mutual benefit, one that tariffs would only damage. Ireland's deep historic and economic ties to the US are well known. Equally known, however, is the fact that our success is also built on EU membership and the solidarity we received during key periods and challenges like Brexit and the COVID‑19 pandemic. As such, it's fair to say that the potential for tariffs to turn allies into adversaries leaves few with more to lose than Ireland. But as the geopolitical challenges emerge, we in Ireland and the delegation here from Ireland will continue to push the EU to strengthen its own competitiveness, tackle energy costs, address infrastructure deficits and secure our place in the global economy. At the same time, Ireland knows that the EU must stand united. Protectionism weakens all of us. The EU should engage early, defend open trade and ensure that cooperation, not division, shapes our future.

Yes, I accept, of course, as many deputies do here, that the issue of red tape is one that has to be tackled in the context of the upcoming common agricultural policy. I have no doubt that it, in its own right, makes a contribution towards this issue in relation to the mental health and wellbeing of farmers and their families. It's incumbent on us to engage in that process that is the common agricultural policy, to ensure that you engage with your stakeholders, with representatives and with your own communities, in order to ensure that you are well informed in your representations to the Commissioner, to the Parliament, to the Council; in order to ensure that a common agricultural policy is not just specifically about funding farmers and supplementing their income, but is about helping them in many other ways, including in relation to the issue of red tape, which was very dominant during the course of the election campaign in my own country and, I am sure, in yours. We have a duty and a responsibility to improve that and to improve it in a way in which, in turn, restricts the amount of capability that there is amongst this red tape to impact on people's and farmers' mental health.

Mr President, Commissioner and colleagues, rural communities are all too familiar with the mental health challenges that often arise in farming. The challenges of farming life – things like market volatility, late payments, social isolation and so on – can all take their toll. According to a survey of Irish farmers, over half did not know how to contact their local mental health clinic. Nearly a quarter did not know how to get the number of a suicide prevention hotline. And many more don't feel comfortable reaching out for help due to the stigma around the subject. So it's clear to me that we need a comprehensive mental health strategy for farmers. A strategy that paves the way for multi-actor community-led support structures. A strategy that allows for both prevention and intervention at a local level. That said, the problem is much broader than the few factors I have mentioned. Economic uncertainty, of course, is a source of constant stress for farmers. It is incumbent on us to strengthen our farmers' positions within the food value chain, and ensure that they get a fair price for their produce. Healthy farmers are the first step to a strong, resilient food system. So let's stand with those farmers, not just in words, but in action. I would hope to see a comprehensive response from the Commissioner in due time in relation to this subject.

Mr President, I welcome the appointment, for the first time, of a Commissioner for sustainable tourism. It's a vital industry in my constituency and across Europe. And like the rest of society, the sector knows it must play its part in tackling climate change. Ireland has launched a sustainable tourism policy recently, with ambitious targets to 2030 – it's seeking to reduce emissions by 60 % – and the balance between environmental responsibility and economic growth is already being demonstrated along the River Shannon, where boat cruisers have cut carbon footprint by 92 %, switching from diesel to hydrotreated vegetable oil. In addition, a number of Midlands counties have received Just Transition Funds for the development of sustainable tourism. It should be noted that it's at times like these, supporting rural communities' transition towards more sustainable economic models, that national governments can be asked to provide or to match funding. And unfortunately, too many can be too quick to call for the abolition of important tax measures at home that actually allow Member States to collaborate with the EU and push economic and environmental sustainability in areas like tourism. One thing is clear, however, it's imperative that we support small and medium tourism businesses to navigate their path towards sustainability. I know with the right policies and investments we can build...

Mr President, colleagues, the expansion and growth of cities are fundamental to regional development across Europe. However, too often restrictive and protracted planning procedures in many Member States stand in the way of infrastructure progress. These bottlenecks prevent us from meeting the needs of our citizens and regions. In my own constituency, the city of Galway faces exactly that challenge. The development of a new ring road, vital for easing decades of road congestion and promoting the city's growth, has been hamstrung by ridiculous planning delays. Similarly, the development of Galway's port holds enormous potential, especially for offshore wind energy along the West coast. This investment could play a significant role in Europe's energy transition, reducing our dependency on Russian gas. At a time when energy prices in Europe are five times higher than that of the US, such investments are not just important, they are essential for our future. To address these challenges, we need to identify a threshold which caters for a streamlined process of infrastructure planning permissions, notwithstanding or compromising best practices. Then we will be responding to Draghi's cry in his recent report to president von der Leyen, highlighting but addressing, and maybe overturning, Europe's present diminishing competitiveness and growth trajectory.

Mr President, Members, I want to first welcome the appointment of the new commissioner position for housing alongside the energy portfolio, which I believe has been long overdue. Housing, as we all know, remains one of the most critical challenges facing governments across Europe. Given its importance, I believe a dedicated committee should be established by Parliament to address this issue in a focused and comprehensive manner. I would ask that a Europe-wide plan be formulated by this committee, which would then be presented to the Commission and the Council for evaluation. And while I cannot speak for the situation in every Member State, I do know that in Ireland we have been confronting a housing crisis for several years now. Have we solved it? Most definitely not. But we must acknowledge that significant progress has been made. We have increased housing output, improved access for first time buyers, removed unnecessary regulatory barriers and fast-tracked some – but not all – planning delays and mobilised state lands for affordable and social housing. These are important steps forward. However, to sustain and build on this momentum, it is essential that we review State aid rules as determined by the EU to ensure that they do not hinder Member States in addressing housing emergencies when they arise. Our shared goal of delivering decent, affordable housing for all citizens requires continued flexibility and support at almost every level, including this one.

Madam President, it highlights a critical issue. If subsidies diminish, so too do sales. This underscores the affordability challenge many households face in transitioning to sustainable heating technologies like heat pumps. For some families, the financial burden of moving from outdated kerosene boilers to heat pumps is too great. However, these households can still contribute to our green goals by switching from such fuels to hydrotreated vegetable oil, which must be recognised, for example, as a sustainable heating fuel. It is recognised as a sustainable transport fuel in several European countries and a sustainable heating fuel in the likes of the UK and France. In Ireland, even though we have a Green environment minister, he won't recognise HVO as a sustainable fuel – figure that one out. It can and should be recognised as a sustainable fuel for households across the EU. I urge this Commission to champion HVO as an affordable, low-carbon alternative to fossil fuels. Promoting its adoption can enable households reliant on kerosene oil to transition with minimal financial strain, while reducing carbon emissions by up to 90 % over a 10‑year period. By advancing this solution, we can strengthen our commitment to a greener future while supporting families in their journey towards affordable decarbonisation.

Mr President, extreme weather events are an ongoing threat to local communities and agriculture. The responsibility of overarching EU policy is, of course, to transition those sectors that continue to contribute to climate change. Progress has been made, but it is stalling and at risk of regressing without change. Agriculture itself is at a crossroads and faces two major roadblocks: high energy costs and second, the cost foregone metric related to existing eco and environmental schemes is failing. The two resolutions I would want this new Commission to champion: are first, a commitment to invest in pan-European sustainable power-generation projects. For example, the massive potential that exists off the west coast of Ireland can not only aid that country, but can aid Europe in lessening its dependency on Russian gas. The second issue is to create a new funding stream that is separate and distinct from CAP, which would reward farms rather than just a cost forgone metric, as I said, but champion enviro- and eco-schemes. And that would allow CAP, of course, to return to its original remit of supplementing farm income and supporting sustainable food systems to produce, that would align our environmental ambition with consumer sentiment and thus, of course, deliver a dividend for farmers, for society and climate change.