What Cynthia spoke about.

9 Jul

2026

GA Speech

Feasibility of a 28th tax regime and its potential to support EU competitiveness (debate)

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Mr President, as Ireland takes over the EU Presidency, the strengthening of Europe's competitiveness is at the forefront. Therefore, I welcome this report by MEP Ódor, rapporteur from my own group, Renew Europe, and thank him for his in-depth study on the optional 28th tax regime - optional for our SMEs. Starting in Europe, growing in Europe, staying in Europe and not leaving home. The fragmented …

9 Jul

2026

EN Answer

Evaluation of the Common Fisheries Policy and follow-up (debate)

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'Ní neart go cur le chéile.' 'Unity with strength.' As you know, Mr Ming Flanagan, that is mana Uachtaránacht na hÉireann. All of our fishers are being looked after by Minister Timmy Dooley – my government, Fianna Fáil, who is now leading out on the Council of the EU. Rest assured, all efforts are being made. All work is being done diligently for all fishermen in Ireland. Not only the big fishers …

9 Jul

2026

GA Speech

Evaluation of the Common Fisheries Policy and follow-up (debate)

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Mr President, Commissioner, I welcome this evaluation of the Common Fisheries Policy. But these results are of real concern to European and Irish fishermen. Of course, environmental sustainability is very important. But without social and economic sustainability, there will be no environmental protection. Irish fishermen have taken the difficult decisions they were facing, adapting to them and del…

18 Jun

2026

GA Speech

Joint Declaration on ‘Culture for Europe - Europe for Culture’ (debate)

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17 Jun

2026

GA Speech

The resilience of the European transport sector and the need to ensure the supply of essential goods amid ongoing geopolitical instability (debate)

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Mr President, the shortage of professional drivers across Europe remains one of the greatest threats to the resilience of the European transport sector. If we want to ensure that essential goods reach businesses and citizens, we need to make the profession more accessible and attractive. This starts with the modernisation of the directive on the certification of professional competence of drivers.…

16 Jun

2026

EN Speech

Question Time (Commission) - State of play on the European Commission’s pledge to reduce the reporting burden, in particular for SMEs

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Commissioner Dombrovskis, put yourself in the shoes of the SMEs in Ireland South that I represent. They measure the success of their business, or whether it will survive or not, by the profit margin, the revenue remaining after the SME has deducted its operating costs. They measure KPIs, key performance indicators, in order to survive. My question to you, Commissioner, is, a year and a half into y…

21 May

2026

GA Speech

The Union’s preparedness for and response to health emergencies: the case of the MV Hondius and the hantavirus warning (debate)

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Thank you to the Chairman and Commissioner. MV Hondius and antivirus warning. They remind us that a health emergency will never end and can arise very quickly, suddenly challenging our best-prepared plans. We have learned a lot from COVID 19. Unified systems create confusion for people. Public trust depends on very clear communication, strong services and quick coordination and requires much bette…

21 May

2026

GA Speech

European Citizens’ Initiative ‘Stop destroying videogames’ (debate)

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Chairperson, Commissioner. Video games are part of our culture. They tell stories and create memories and for the millions of people who play them, games are more than entertaining. They create friendships, experiences, languages and generations, connecting people and cultures to build communities of the values we celebrate here in Europe. But today, these games can suddenly disappear, it is possi…

20 May

2026

GA Speech

Rights, support and protection of victims of crime (debate)

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Thank you. The vote is about whether or not we are serious about victims of crime, not just in words, but in the way our justice system treats victims. For a long time, there are different levels of protection for victims in Europe, depending on which country the victim lives in and what their postal code is. This is not acceptable. This reform of the victims’ rights directive gives us an opportun…

30 Apr

2026

GA Speech

Women’s entrepreneurship in rural and island areas and outermost regions (debate)

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Mr President, 'This is a male world', which was told to my grandmother and mom, but my mom changed that message and grew up with strong and talented women who quickly and competently took various difficult decisions. They were left on the sidelines. That's how it was and that's how it is. Inishbofin, a small island in the west of Ireland, where women founded the Dunmore Hotel, fostering a tourism …

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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Madam President, Commissioner Hansen, this report on securing a sustainable future for the EU livestock sector is long overdue. Europe is haemorrhaging livestock farmers. Farmers are shutting up shop and taking to the streets. Why? Simples. Food prices are going down. Production costs, energy, fertiliser, etc. are soaring. Also, EU red tape is choking them and animal disease destroying them. But w…

29 Apr

2026

GA Speech

The need for targeted criminal provisions and platforms’ responsibility to effectively address cyberbullying and online harassment (debate)

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28 Apr

2026

EN Speech

Situation of fundamental rights in the European Union in 2024 and 2025 (debate)

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Mr President, as human beings, we all want to be loved, cherished, respected and, particularly, protected. And that is what the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights has done over the last 25 years. It has protected all of us. It is the foundation for thousands of laws, policies, initiatives. It has been cited in thousands of legal cases. It is our protective shield, and the rights belong to everyone. …

28 Apr

2026

GA Speech

Enforcement of the Digital Markets Act (debate)

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Mr President, Commissioner, the Digital Markets Act may be an abstract piece of legislation for many, but it has a very real impact. Every day, without our knowledge, people are benefiting from more choices, fairer prices and better control over the digital services they use. Every time you look down on your phone, you're no longer locked by one platform, or you're not forced to use one particular…

27 Apr

2026

GA Speech

Importance of consent-based rape legislation in the EU (debate)

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President, imagine a young 18-year-old daughter on holiday in Bulgaria. She went to a party. She was terrific to her. She turned to a young man. And the next thing, he was raped. But, like 70% of other rape victims, Mary freezed and fell into weakness. And she didn't say 'No', she didn't say 'Stop' and she didn't fight back. In Bulgaria, however, the legal system requires the victim’s evidence tha…

25 Mar

2026

EN Speech

Combating corruption (debate)

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A chairde, a Choimisinéir, corruption hurts people first. It steals from citizens. It drains public money. It destroys trust in democracy. That's why this directive really matters. This vote brings Europe's anti-corruption rules into the real world. Thanks to rapporteur Raquel, it creates clearer common rules across the EU, strengthening sanctions, improving investigations, prosecuting those who a…

25 Mar

2026

GA Speech

Imminent death penalty threats in Iran in the light of the latest executions, including on 18 and 19 March 2026, by the Iranian regime (debate)

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Mr President, Commissioner, when he stood before this Parliament last February, the situation in Iran was dire. I didn't think I would be back that fast again tonight, talking about Iran again, about the brutality that is still going on there and its exponential increase. As a member of Parliament's Delegation for relations with Iran, I am appalled. Iranian judges have …

12 Mar

2026

GA Speech

Activities of the European Ombudsman – annual report 2024 (debate)

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Her husband, her husband and, of course, her husband. First, we would like to acknowledge that this is the last report on the activities of a former Ombudsman, Emily O'Reilly, who was brilliant. During the term, the Ombudsman’s responsibilities were expanded to tackle new challenges, including the spread of misinformation, disinformation and the rapid increase in the use of artificial…

11 Mar

2026

GA Speech

Package travel and linked travel arrangements: make the protection of travellers more effective and simplify and clarify certain aspects (debate)

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Dear Commissioner, Chairperson. Thousands of people lost their money during the pandemic when companies traveled out of business, cancelled flights, cancelled hotels and all the distress about who I'll contact to get my money back and get a flight home. Well, we remember well one body blaming another and throwing you around from Billy to Jack with the words 'this is…

12 Feb

2026

GA Speech

Recommendation to the Council on EU priorities for the 70th session of the UN Commission on the Status of Women (debate)

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Mr President, Commissioner, Thank you, As we approach the 70th session of the UN Commission on the Status of Women, taking place next month, we must be honest: Women and girls are failing the international community on almost all equality measures under the 2030 Agenda. Violence against women is increasing exponentially and has largely gone unpunished. There has been little improvement in economic…

11 Feb

2026

GA Speech

Systemic oppression, inhumane conditions and arbitrary detentions by the regime in Iran

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Mr President, Commissioner, as a member of the European Delegation for Relations with Iran, I am deeply concerned to see the latest developments in Iran with reports of the brutal repression against peaceful protesters, some of whom have been sentenced to death. Since December, one of the most protesting movements of many years has emerged across the country, inspired by demanding citizens; fundam…

11 Feb

2026

GA Speech

International Day of Education, fighting inequalities in access to education (debate)

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Mr President, it was reported last week that less than 5.9% of school pupils in Ireland - my home country, are attending an Irish-medium primary or post-primary school. This is the lowest percentage of students attending Irish-medium schools since 2013! This is in Ireland! Country in which the Irish language enjoys constitutional protection in Article 8 which states: "As Irish is the national lang…

10 Feb

2026

GA Speech

Presentation of the action plan against cyberbullying (debate)

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In Ireland, 66% of children between the ages of 12 and 15 do not tell their parents that they are under attack by cyberbullying. They are fearful, uncertain, vulnerable and almost 45% of children keep the incidents of cyberbullying for themselves, confidential. These children are subjected to daunting threats and insults. They are deafened with false stories and false allegations: "You're a good t…

10 Feb

2026

GA 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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Mr President and Commissioner, the magnitude of the floods caused by the Chandra storm on the southeast coast of Ireland has placed a huge burden on families, businesses and local authorities across the region. Unseen rain hit counties Carlow, Kilkenny, Waterford, Wicklow, Wexford and caused major flooding - ruined homes, parks and businesses. I therefore call on the Commission to increase the Eur…

9 Feb

2026

GA Speech

One-minute speeches on matters of political importance

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Irish farmers are looking for a workable standard. Today, seed potatoes are a perfect example of how rules harm primary consumers when applied without urgency and certainty. Before Brexit, Ireland relied heavily on the supply of seed potatoes from the UK. Without the creation of a new market, Irish growers rely on narrower and more expensive optional fields. These new areas also raise new concerns…