What Cynthia spoke about.

9

Feb

2026

GA Speech

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World Cancer Day (debate)

There are 220 000 people living with cancer in Ireland. Every year, 24 000 people are identified with the disease. My friend, Senator Teresa Costello from Fianna Fáil, is one of the thousands of women who have suffered breast cancer. But Teresa survived as a result of early fur. No matter where you live or where you come from - cancer can hit anyone. In Europe, 22 million people, 5% of the populat…

9

Feb

2026

FR Speech

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European Central Bank – annual report 2025 (debate)

Madam President, Ms Lagarde, if you are serious about bolstering Europe's resilience and competitiveness, then make good on your commitment here this evening and ensure that the citizens of Europe can continue to use central bank money in all situations, all communities, all parts. By money, I mean cash, because cash is king and queen. And the voters have told me that, Madame Lagarde, in their tho…

22

Jan

2026

GA Speech

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Drones and new systems of warfare – the EU’s need to adapt to be fit for today’s security challenges (debate)

Mr President, thank you very much, Commissioner Mînzatu. If the European Union wants to be at the forefront of drone technology, we need to be prepared and invest in it strategically and on a broad scale. Drones are no longer niche tools but essential technology. Yes, drones play a crucial role in military defence, but they are equally essential for search and rescue missions, the policing of our …

20

Jan

2026

GA Speech

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Air passenger rights (debate)

Mr President, Commissioner, Cynthia here from Ireland and looking forward to working with you on this important file. Now, people buy flights and book them when they trust the conditions, rules, and will not be abandoned when they are in trouble. And that is why strong passenger rights are needed. When flights are delayed, cancelled and overbooked, or when a flight connection is missed. But the ru…

20

Jan

2026

GA Speech

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Territorial integrity and sovereignty of Greenland and the Kingdom of Denmark: the need for a united EU response to US blackmail attempts (debate)

Mr President, the European Union is one of the largest trading powers in the world, and when Europe is united, it has power, resilience and influence. But when Europe is divided, it is weak and fragile. That is why European unity is not an option but a necessity, friends. It teaches us a simple truth. The way surrender does not bring peace, but attracts more attacks. And this approach only urges T…

18

Dec

2025

GA Speech

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European Democracy Shield – very large online platform algorithms, foreign interference and the spread of disinformation (debate)

17

Dec

2025

GA Speech

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2030 Consumer Agenda (debate)

Dear Commissioner, The U.S. is not Donald Trump. We do not put people at risk with toxic materials or dangerous electronics. We are not prepared to put our children at risk without legal protection for predatory games and harmful algorithms. Some complainants say Europe should be cheaper, more open, lowering standards and Wild West We have our own. But that's how people do it. That's how to hurt p…

15

Dec

2025

GA Speech

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One-minute speeches on matters of political importance

My friends, Daddy Christmas is coming and many people will be travelling a lot over the coming weeks, and I'd love to see public transport in Ireland work nationally for everyone, but unfortunately, it's not. Our transport system in Ireland is still failing many people. Dublin, our capital, is a major transport centre, but there is not yet a direct metro or rail service to the city centre. So trav…

15

Dec

2025

EN Speech

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Impact of the geopolitical situation on European patients and their access to medicines (debate)

A chairde, a Choimisinéir, we talk non-stop about EU defence and security, but inside our very borders, we must defend our critical medicines industry – our pharma, our biotech, our research and development and, of course, our public health systems, as we have ageing populations throughout Europe. We should ensure that a citizen's diagnosis or treatment or prognosis, whether it's for cancer or a n…

27

Nov

2025

GA Speech

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Development of an industry for sustainable aviation and maritime fuel in Europe (debate)

26

Nov

2025

EN Speech

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Protecting citizens' right to make cash payments and ensuring financial inclusion (debate)

(Start of speech off mic) a chairde, I like choice, that is why my purse has cash in it, but also cards. In Ireland, my government confirmed this week that access‑to‑cash legislation will come into effect this Friday. I am very pleased, because cash is king for very good reasons. Number one: choice. Number two: access. Number three: equal rights for older citizens, refugees, the poor, those who ar…

26

Nov

2025

GA Speech

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Fishing opportunities 2026: ensuring the sustainability of fish populations, marine ecosystems and coastal communities

25

Nov

2025

GA Speech

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Protection of minors online (debate)

Mr President, Commissioner, 97% of young people are online every day, and for many teenagers, that means long hours on screens that never leave their hand. And we know that what happens behind them disappears from parents' eyes too often. Predators slide in through private conversations and group messages, and the algorithms are tailored to draw our attention, not for the interest of the user, pus…

25

Nov

2025

GA Speech

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Communication on the Democracy Shield (debate)

Mr President, Commissioner, currently in Ireland and across Europe, our democracy is being poisoned. Not with tanks or troops, but with lies that get 'likes'. On every platform every day, we see false stories and conspiracy theories being inserted into our society. They move faster than facts. They target people who are mad or worried, and turn neighbors into enemies. We have all seen how this att…

12

Nov

2025

GA Speech

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Protecting EU consumers against the practices of certain e-commerce platforms: the case of child-like sex dolls, weapons and other illegal products and material (debate)

Mr President, as a mother, I am very disappointed that such horrific and unsuitable items were made available on Shein's platform in the first place. It is a big red flag that this type of product could easily be listed, sold and shipped for an online marketplace in Europe. It represents a complete failure and inadequate corporate responsibility supervision. If companies can allow something so amb…

23

Oct

2025

GA Speech

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Breast cancer: the importance of screening (debate)

Friends, trust is the foundation of effective health care. And today, since we are focusing on the importance of breast cancer screening, we need to put patient reliability, transparency and trust at the heart of our strategy. We know that women respond more positively to migraine programmes that unequivocally set out risk factors and prioritise patients at risk, especially guided by specialised h…

23

Oct

2025

EN Speech

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Combating violence against women and girls, including the exploitation of motherhood (debate)

Chair, Women's Aid, Carlow; Amber Refuge, Kilkenny; ADAPT Domestic Abuse Services, Limerick; Oasis House, Waterford – I've visited them all. I applaud you very much for the protection of women suffering from ill-treatment. I welcome this debate today and it is a great opportunity to call on Member States to fully and speedily implement the Directive on Combating Violence against Women and Girls ah…

23

Oct

2025

EN Speech

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Audiovisual Media Services Directive obligations in the transatlantic dialogue (debate)

Chairperson, Commissioner. The Quiet Girl. Kneecap. Archery. Song of the Sea. Frank and Frank. Spongebob the Movie. Clay of the Cell. I am Ireland. An old night. Potato, and I could move on. I could go on and on, but these are examples of the innate, cultural, wonderful, rich diversity that is associated with our Irish language in Ireland. That language is replicated among other languages within t…

22

Oct

2025

GA Speech

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Ending all energy imports from Russia to the EU and closing loopholes through third countries (debate)

Mr President, we need a faster timeline to achieve full and transparent energy independence from Russia. It is time that we complete what we started and close the loopholes. The loopholes that enable Russian oil and gas to reach our markets through other, developing countries. Russian oil and gas are trapped in the thousands of Ukrainians who have died in the war. Every euro we pay on Russian ener…

21

Oct

2025

GA Speech

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Changing security landscape and the role of police at the heart of the EU’s internal security strategy (debate)

Dear friends. European security purposes are changing. In particular, we face challenges when it comes to digital scams and online fraud. Technological developments are opening up new opportunities for criminal gangs to profit from thousands of Europeans attracted by false investment platforms, romance scams and identity theft. This type of crime does not stop at borders but too often friends, our…

9

Oct

2025

EN Speech

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World Mental Health Day - addressing the socio-economic factors (debate)

A Uachtaráin, a Choimisinéir, on World Mental Health Day, we are reminded that mental well-being is not just an individual issue, it's deeply shaped by the world we live in. I proudly wear the pin of the Samaritans in Ireland today because economic inequality, unemployment, poor housing, lack of access to education or healthcare – they all create conditions that can harm mental health, push people…

8

Oct

2025

GA Speech

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Promoting EU digital rules: protecting European sovereignty (debate)

Dear chairs, when Europe is discussing new rules for the digital age, we often hear that regulation will harm businesses or curb innovation. But the story tells a completely different story. Every time Europe protected its people - with labour rights, environmental standards or safer products - the same warnings were issued. But smart regulation helped build trust, stimulated innovation, and set g…

7

Oct

2025

GA Speech

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Common agricultural policy (joint debate)

It is vital that our farmers have a fair income, not only in Ireland but across Europe. Average farm incomes in Ireland are expected to reach €48,500 in 2025. This represents a 39% increase on 2024 and an 82% increase on 2023, when average income was as low as €19,000. I'd like to welcome you before. Our food security in Europe depends on farmers getting a fair payment for the food they produce. W…

7

Oct

2025

EN Speech

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The EU’s role in supporting the recent peace efforts for Gaza and a two-state solution (debate)

Madam President, Commissioner, Europe and this Parliament prides itself on complying with international law, championing the rule of law. A few questions, therefore, for the Commissioner, President von der Leyen and High Representative Kallas: is the continuation of the EU‑Israel trade agreement compatible with EU law? No. Is Israel interfering with EU aid and aid infrastructure? Yes. What are the…

11

Sep

2025

EN Speech

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Solidarity with Poland following the deliberate violation of Polish airspace by Russian drones (debate)

A Uachtaráin, the violation of Poland's territorial integrity and sovereignty by Russia was reckless, unprecedented, but nevertheless an all-too-familiar move out of Putin's playbook –deliberate, brazen, evil and corrupt. In July of this year, an investigation carried out by The Irish Times in Ireland, a newspaper, found that there was a dramatic increase in the number of Russian shadow ships in I…