What Barry spoke about.

13

Feb

2025

EN Speech

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EU-Mercosur Trade Agreement (debate)

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…

11

Feb

2025

EN Speech

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Preparedness for a new trade era: multilateral cooperation or tariffs (debate)

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 wel…

18

Dec

2024

EN Answer

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Challenges facing EU farmers and agricultural workers: improving working conditions, including their mental well-being (debate)

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 agric…

18

Dec

2024

EN Speech

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Challenges facing EU farmers and agricultural workers: improving working conditions, including their mental well-being (debate)

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 q…

17

Dec

2024

EN Speech

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Towards a shared vision for European tourism, its sustainable growth and brand Europe (debate)

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…

23

Oct

2024

EN Speech

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The important role of cities and regions in the EU – for a green, social and prosperous local development (debate)

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 challeng…

9

Oct

2024

EN Speech

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Ensuring sustainable, decent and affordable housing in Europe - encouraging investment, private property and public housing programmes (debate)

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 f…

7

Oct

2024

EN Speech

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One-minute speeches on matters of political importance

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 …

19

Sep

2024

EN Speech

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Droughts and extreme weather events as a threat to local communities and EU agriculture in times of climate change (debate)

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 co…