Speeches

A Uachtaráin, it has been an incredible year for generative AI. AI will soon impact every industry – from customer care to transforming data centres and logistics, to medicine, to manufacturing, to energy, to the automotive industry and to aerospace. A recent paper predicted that around 20% of the US workforce could have at least 50% of their tasks affected by AI in the coming years. We are witnessing a fundamental shift in AI, driven by self-supervision. Generative AI is behind the wave of new online tools used by millions around the world –from answering queries on a range of topics to generating realistic photographs. Whether we like it or not, generative AI, like ChatGPT, are about to change not only how we work, but how the content we consume is produced. We do not know fully what implications of this wave of transformative artificial intelligence will be. The way that we make information and the basis of communication across society will be rewired. AI has broken into the mainstream and it is time to ask questions about what the business impacts of this technology are. I was pleased that the landmark AI proposal to regulate artificial intelligence based on its potential to cause harm passed in Parliament with an overwhelming majority. It is now time to ensure that leading tech companies’ artificial intelligence models comply with its requirements. There is an urgent need for enhanced collaboration between policy-makers and model providers to effectively address the gaps and challenges on a global level, and to find a common ground to ensure the appropriate implementation and effectiveness of the AI Act. AI in business needs to be held to a higher standard – built to be trusted, secured and adaptable.

A Uachtaráin, Commissioner, climate change is flexing its muscles in the form of floods, droughts, tornadoes and hurricanes, and is striking indiscriminately. The threat of climate change requires changes in the ways in which we produce, consume and organise our societies. Having said that, I am very pleased with the outcome of today’s vote, which is a positive one for nature restoration. Aimed at protecting natural resources, the law is a fundamental pillar of the Green Deal. Today’s vote now gives us the opportunity to improve the text of the Commission in line with what we need to make it work for everybody. Over—intensive land use, climate change, pollution, over—exploitation and other human pressures are rapidly degrading our natural resources. We know we need to act. We must ensure that the path we take is ambitious, but it must also be rooted in practicality. Hopefully the outcome of the trilogues will achieve this.

A Uachtaráin, inflation and the cost of living crisis is leading to widespread hardship, affecting populations across Europe. Rising energy costs, access to health care and housing, for young people in particular, are also areas of significant concern in people’s day-to-day lives. In Ireland, while GDP has grown year on year, we hear legitimate concerns raised by our citizens that the real benefit of these economic advances is not felt in their pockets. For example, young people who have worked hard, studied well and found jobs are still finding it challenging to receive a mortgage and buy their first home. Meaningful steps are being taken to address challenges at government level, such as housing and healthcare at a national level in Ireland. As an MEP, I welcome this debate as an opportunity to highlight what measures can be taken at European level to highlight and address these difficulties. As a Union of 27, we should use our collective power to counteract inflation, for example, by taking steps to deepen our energy union to tackle rising energy costs. We should also progress on a European Health Union and ensure that women and men have equal opportunities in remuneration on the labour market. While many of the bread and butter issues that citizens face can seem beyond the reach of this Chamber, we should be creative here in Europe and consider what steps can be taken in order to ensure that the European economy works for everybody in the European Union.

Mr President, where have all the citizens gone? The Fit for 55 package, which is an integral part of the European Green Deal adopted by the Commission, sets an ambitious target for reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 55% by 2030 and possibly beyond that, as Mr Timmermans said at COP27 in Egypt. I am pleased to support this report by my colleague Niels Fuglsang as it takes an ambitious, but also realistic, approach to energy efficiency. The report recognises the importance of setting high targets while considering practical challenges associated with implementation strategies. I value the flexibility given to Member States in how they meet these targets, as well as the consideration given to stakeholders in terms of how to implement the nearly net-zero building standard, especially for social housing and historic buildings.

Mr President, I am pleased to support this report by my colleague Petar Vitanov as it embraces Europe’s transition away from carbon-based fuel to renewable sustainable energy sources. This report aligns with the objectives outlined in the European Green Deal, which emphasises the transitioning towards a zero-emission transport sector, as well as the necessity for appropriate infrastructure to support this transition, keeping this legislation both ambitious and realistic. Establishing a robust and dependable infrastructure through the Regulation’s mandatory deployment of a minimum charging and hydrogen refuelling infrastructure is vital to facilitate the smooth transition of the transport sector, and empower citizens to embrace and utilise new technologies. This is an absolute and immediate priority.

Mr President, good, away we go. The industrial sector is a major contributor to emissions: in 2020, the industrial share of greenhouse gases equalled 59%. The Industrial Emissions Directive’s goal is to reduce toxic industrial emissions, such as mercury, heavy metals and other hazardous substances associated with industry. I welcome the fact that the scope will not be extended to cattle farms. If we were to add cattle and mixed farms to this Directive, the cost to farmers would be enormous and unfair. And I was delighted that amendments to ensure this did not happen were fully supported by my Fine Gael and EPP colleagues, and passed with good majorities. I support this report’s objective as it increases the level of protection for the environment and public health from the adverse effects of pollution through setting higher regulatory standards. It gives businesses reasonable transition time to prepare for new requirements as well as fast-track procedures for permits. A good day’s work!

A Uachtaráin, Commissioner, the main objective of the ecodesign framework is to reduce the negative life cycle environmental impacts of products, introduce circularity and improve the functioning of the internal market. To ensure the effectiveness of the framework, it should primarily focus on the environmental aspects of sustainability pertaining to physical products. While setting ecodesign requirements for products is vital, we must also direct our attention towards increasing the development of collection, sorting, repair and recirculation systems. By bolstering these systems, we can foster a circular economy that minimises waste and maximises resource—efficiency. The holistic approach encompassing the entire product life cycle will be instrumental in achieving our sustainability goals. Minimising divergence in the implementation of this policy will not only strengthen our collective impact, but also prevent fragmentation within the internal market. It makes sense to address the products with the highest negative impacts first. This approach ensures that our efforts yield the maximum positive outcome for the environment. Regarding the prohibition of the destruction of unsold consumer goods, I agree with the general principle. However, before we include bans on the destruction of specific product types, we must gather more comprehensive product data.

Mr President, I fully support Bulgaria and Romania in their quest to be in Schengen. They are full members of the European Union, they are valued members of the European Union and they are entitled to the same freedoms as the other members. And we cannot have a situation where we have a two tier Member State – those in Schengen and those being kept out of it. So I think that has to change as soon as possible. Having said that, my own country, Ireland, we were never in Schengen because we were tied to the United Kingdom, to the common travel area. But now that the United Kingdom have left the European Union, maybe there might be an element of creativity which would allow us perhaps to be in Schengen. Because having travelled, particularly with the EPP Group and with ITRE from Brussels to places within the European Union on missions, there is a huge difference when you can travel freely without checks as opposed to when you have to show your passport et cetera at the border. And that can take a lot of time and you can miss meetings as a result. So Romania and Bulgaria, and look at Ireland.

Mr President, thank you, President Hoyer, for coming here and giving us the benefit of your experience and expertise. I must ask you one question. In the last mandate, the Juncker Fund was key and the EIB played a big part in that –in turning around the European economy, creating jobs, improving the quality of life. Then I was a rapporteur for its successor, InvestEU, but I haven’t heard much about InvestEU, which seemed to be full of promise and was the way of the future. So I would like to ask you your opinion of InvestEU, what it has achieved in this mandate and what it can achieve into the future, particularly over the next year or two. Because it was a wonderful scheme succeeding the Juncker Fund, but we’re not hearing enough about it.

A Uachtaráin, heavy-duty transport is the backbone of trade and commerce in Europe: 73% of all freight transported by land in the EU is carried by trucks. Alongside rail freight, trucks deliver goods safely across Europe. These extensive and integrated supply chains keep our supermarket shelves stocked. However, the sector causes negative impacts on the environment. Heavy-duty transport is responsible for nearly one third of the EU’s road transport CO2 emissions, primarily driven by growth in economic activity. The sheer volume of transport activity has impacted our greenhouse gas emissions, and demands on all types of transport are expected to increase. This is a natural progression as economies develop. The greening transport package proposes measures to rethink the allocation of rail track capacity and the methodology for counting the emissions of a transport job. In recent years, cleaner road vehicles and fuels have become more and more available, and I’m aware of big efforts being made by many heavy-duty transport manufacturers to use technology to reduce emissions. I think we should work with the industry and establish a fundamental shift towards sustainability in the way goods and people move around.

, Commissioner Kadri, I welcome this debate and call on the Commission to bring forward a European strategy on hostage diplomacy. Hostage diplomacy – the calculated detention of foreign citizens by state actors in an attempt to gain leverage over another country – is worryingly becoming more and more frequent, as Commissioner Kadri Simson pointed out. Notably, hostage diplomacy appears to have become a tool of foreign policy for certain states, notably Iran. Individual liberty and our freedom of movement are things that we take for granted until the moment they are gone from us. We can only imagine the fear and hopelessness that citizens who are detained unlawfully as hostages must feel. Hostages are often placed in prison, in poor conditions, under fabricated charges and even under the threat of execution. We think also of the pain and suffering that their loved ones would feel back home. The use of individuals as pawns in geopolitical games is wrong. It is a violation of human rights and must be thoroughly condemned. What is more, the nations that perpetrate these heinous acts rely on the fact that Western politicians will cave in to their demands due to the pressure of family members and civil society groups calling for the hostages release. This is a cruel attempt to use our much-valued democratic freedoms against us. In January, we call for the release of Belgian national, Olivier Vandecasteele, a humanitarian worker taken hostage by Iran. He was released in May, thankfully. The same month, Bernard Phelan, an Irishman originally from County Tipperary, was also released after six and a half months of unlawful detention in an Iranian prison. I would like to commend the hard work of the Irish consular services and their European counterparts in securing the release of these two hostages, as well as the liberation of other victims of hostage diplomacy. In recent years, collaboration through our diplomatic networks bilaterally and multilaterally, as well as economic and political measures, for example, on sanctions, is key towards developing a European approach to hostage diplomacy. Together we are stronger. We should use our combined diplomatic weight and knowledge to protect our citizens from harm and try and put an end to hostage diplomacy.

A Uachtaráin, Commissioner, last year, Europe grappled with the effects of the hottest summer on record. We witnessed droughts across the EU, resulting in the second-lowest river flow and the second-largest wildfire burn area on record for Europe. And this year might even be worse. The unfortunate reality we are facing is that there will be hotter and drier summers to come, and water scarcity and drought will become more frequent. It is therefore imperative that the EU is equipped with strong policies in place to prevent and to mitigate the effects of water stress conditions. I’m calling on the Commission for increased action in safeguarding Europe’s water resources. Existing legislation should be monitored regularly to ensure that appropriate revisions are made. Europe’s water policy must be effective and respond swiftly to the most up-to-date scientific knowledge. Water reuse policies offer sustainable solutions to alleviate water scarcity. Instead of relying solely on freshwater supplies, we can maximize the use of treated waste water, thereby reducing the pressure on natural water sources. By reusing water for non-drinkable purposes, we can conserve freshwater resources and ensure their availability for essential needs, such as drinking, sanitation and hygiene. By treating and reusing waste water, we can alleviate water scarcity, enhance water retention and promote responsible water management practices. Also, at Member State level – especially in my own country, Ireland – there are far too many leaking and burst pipes. It is imperative that this is properly addressed as a matter of urgency. Leaking water is water wasted, and we cannot afford to waste any more water.

A Uachtaráin, the Sustainable Development Goals provide a roadmap for global development encompassing a broad range of interconnected issues, from poverty eradication to climate action, from gender equality to responsible consumption and production. The most effective way to deliver on the SDGs is by ensuring that the goals are fully embedded in planned activity of each government department in each Member State. Major challenges exist in this respect. Interlinkages between the goals mean that progress in one area can have repercussions on another. This therefore requires the holistic and integrated approach to implementation. As the EU presents its first voluntary review this year, the EU must stand up and show real leadership in the implementation of the SDGs to deliver the 2030 Agenda. The details of such leadership will require additional debate, particularly when we speak of the portfolios of the next College of Commissioners, but more importantly, we should ensure that an adequate monitoring system is in place, backed up by the resources needed to keep us on track to meet our targets.

A Uachtaráin, the EU needs to focus now on swift action to improve the business environment for European companies. Global competition for investments, employment, growth and technological innovation is decided by framework conditions, not by subsidies only. The reality is that energy prices in Europe will remain higher than for our main competitors. At a time when global competition for investment is fierce, it is imperative that we take decisive action to ensure Europe remains a preferred destination for both domestic and foreign investments. We need to focus on enhancing the ease of doing business across the continent. By creating a business friendly environment, we can attract investment and encourage entrepreneurship, thus driving economic growth. Reducing red tape is pivotal. Recently, President von der Leyen said that she is committed to reducing red tape by 25 %. This is laudable and necessary, but if she succeeds in doing so, she will be a better miracle worker than our Lord. In addition, we must invest in infrastructure development, investments in transportation networks, digital connectivity, energy grids and research facilities. This will not only attract domestic and foreign investment, but will also create jobs and stimulate economic growth. Creating a sustainable business environment creates a sustainable Europe. The answer is in our hands if we have the wit and the will to do so.

Madam President, I was pleased also to vote in favour of this report. Turning the existing European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction into a fully fledged agency will further strengthen its role. Threats to the EU’s public health and security must be tackled efficiently and effectively. The challenge posed by illegal drugs cannot be underestimated, and I therefore welcome all measures that will enhance the EU’s response to the drugs phenomenon. This expansion will be an important tool at both EU and global level in combating illegal drugs. I support the rapporteurs emphasis on international cooperation and engagement with third countries and bodies. Ultimately, this expansion overall is an opportunity for the EU to progress on this issue in a comprehensive manner, and I welcome it, as I believe from anecdotal evidence that the drugs culture, unfortunately, is getting worse and threatening a lot of stability in our society.

Madam President, I was pleased to vote for this regulation as part of the evidence legislative package. The text establishes comprehensive and mandatory EU-wide regulations in relation to using services to produce or preserve electronic evidence in cross-border situations. The regulation clearly defines the European production orders and European preservation orders, including conditions for their issuing, which I very much welcome. And I also voted in favour of the text on electronic evidence in criminal proceedings, which is part of the EU package as well. I would like to commend the text for addressing the issues arising from the storage of data by service providers outside the EU, and I support it.

Madam President, I was pleased to support this regulation as part of the e-evidence legislative package. The text establishes comprehensive and mandatory EU-wide regulations in relation to using services to produce or preserve electronic evidence in cross-border situations. The regulation clearly defines the European production orders and European preservation orders, including conditions for their issuing, which I very much welcome. Additionally, the regulation also includes a procedure to address conflicts of law. So for all those reasons, I am very pleased to welcome the e-evidence package and I supported it in voting.

Madam President, I agree completely with the theme of this debate – quality traineeships in the EU – and they must be accompanied, as so many speakers have said, with quality remuneration, as we do, in fairness, in the EU institutions. I have had the pleasure of having many, many trainees over my time here in the European Parliament, and I must say they were excellent. Indeed, some of them went on to good jobs and a few romantic relationships built up which have stood the test of time. And, indeed, I now find that when I have vacancies for interns in my office, I am inundated with requests. I am not sure if it’s because of my reputed Cupid powers or because of the quality of the work in my office! But what we do in the European Union, as Members have pointed out, must be replicated right across the EU. All young people undertaking traineeships should be properly remunerated and they will pay back in spades.

A Uachtaráin, wait till I’m finished and then get strict! One of the ironic advantages, if you want to call it that – or benefits – from the pandemic and the war in Ukraine is that Europe acted decisively and in unity, and this has impressed citizens and brought them closer to us. As a result there are far more people now saying that they are interested in the European elections next year and intend to vote than was the case five years ago. I am pleased that in all likelihood, my own country, Ireland, will have an extra seat, reflecting the growth in population under the degressive proportionality clause where we have 300 000 extra people as opposed to the last election. I do not agree, however, with transnational lists. We do not want a two—tier Chamber. We do not want MEPs supposedly elected by everybody, but answerable to nobody. And we do not want ‘House of Lords MEPs’ and ‘House of Commons MEPs’.

Madam President, Bangladesh is the second largest apparel exporter in the world. The sector accounts for about 82% of the country’s total export revenue and most workers in the ready—made garment sector are young women, as you said, from rural backgrounds. Ten years ago, the deadliest accident in the history of the modern garment industry –and one of the worst industrial accidents ever – took place in Rana Plaza in Bangladesh, leaving 1 100 people dead and at least 2 500 grievously injured. This was not the first tragedy of its kind and, sadly, not the last. Others have happened since. Rana Plaza and the other industrial accidents suffered by Bangladesh brought home the urgent need to establish a culture of workplace safety in the country’s garment industry and beyond. Much has improved in the last ten years, however more needs to be done to ensure that clear standards, guidelines and accident reporting protocols are understood and implemented at all levels. Compliance with core labour standards and national legislation must be improved, including coverage of compensation, contracts, gender inclusivity and working time. Better access to social protection for workers across Bangladesh in all economic sectors is crucial. Further strengthening of the capacity of the safety committees, labour inspectorate and trade unions will be integral to this. Labour rights must be respected in order to foster an environment where trade unions can operate freely and without harassment, where improved social dialogue between the government, employers and trade unions takes place. It is imperative that we build upon the lessons learned and progress made in the ready—made garment industry to enhance industrial safety in other priority sectors to avoid such a tragedy repeating itself in the future. Occupational safety and health must be a priority.

Commissioner Valdis, I must say, as a child, one of the great memories I have is my mother sending me on missions to neighbouring farms to get hatching hens, and getting a hatching hen and then watching the eggs hatch. And the absolute delight of seeing little chickens coming out of the hatched eggs and all cared for under the mother hen’s wings and growing into adulthood. This is being denied by this horrible, barbaric practice where 300 million day-old male chicks are killed every year in the EU and 6.5 billion worldwide. And millions of female ducks are killed in the production of foie gras, as it’s called, a notoriously brutal part of the animal source food industry. Selective breeding of egg-laying hens has increased egg productivity. However, the selection has also meant that male chicks no longer develop enough muscle to be used for meat. And although they are sentient creatures, as Sirpa pointed out, these young animals are therefore considered worthless. Their deaths often caused immense suffering, including via maceration, electrocution and asphyxiation. This almost secretive practice of gassing and grinding chicks and ducklings must be prohibited under EU law, as the practice causes substantial suffering and also goes against Article 13 of the TFEU, which recognises animals as sentient beings. The EU must follow the positive steps taken by France, Germany, Austria and Italy in banning the cruel practice of killing chicks and ducklings. Our goal should be to obtain a total ban on the killing of chicks and ducklings in Europe. And this is in line with what the Commission found out when they did a public consultation. Of the 60 000 who responded, 94% said they want this practice to end and 82% said farm animals generally should be better protected. Also, of course, there is now a technology available, which means that this practice is not necessary. In in-vitro, sexing can determine the sex of an egg prior to hatching. So this grinding and gassing has to stop. As Sirpa said, it’s an ethical issue, but I want to see young people, like myself many years ago, being able to joyfully watch young eggs being hatched, little chickens coming out and growing to maturity.

A Uachtaráin, the High Seas Treaty is a successful example of multilateral cooperation. We have now established a legal framework for the conservation and sustainable use of marine biodiversity. The importance of sound ocean governance cannot be overstated, mitigating the impacts of climate change. Our oceans provide us with invaluable ecological, economic and social benefits. While it is important to recognise and celebrate the progress of the agreement, there is still much work to be done before it can be implemented effectively. To this end, it is imperative that the next steps are closely monitored. All nations have a part to play. There must also be adequate financial instruments in place and proper regulations for the establishment and management of marine protected areas and support for our fishers, who depend on the sea for their livelihoods, while at the same time ensuring that we have sustainable fishing.

– the Lukashenko regime continues to blatantly violate and abuse human rights and fundamental freedoms in Belarus, as the authorities continue to crack down on political activists. A campaign of violence and repression has been intentionally directed at those who were, or were perceived to be, opposing the government or had expressed critical views. Two weeks ago, it was reported that Viktar Babaryka, a politician who ran against dictator Alexander Lukashenko in the 2020 presidential election, was hospitalised with a punctured lung and signs of physical abuse. The following evening, he had disappeared completely. Babaryka is currently serving a 14-year prison sentence for politically motivated charges. He was detained in 2020 as part of the ongoing crackdown on those who oppose Lukashenko’s rotten regime. Babaryka was considered one of Lukashenko’s main political opponents during the president’s election campaign in 2020. Those close to him are unaware of his whereabouts and of course cannot visit him. Before his hospitalisation, Babaryka was sent to a closed prison-type facility for prisoners who commit serious violations. The Government of Belarus must immediately bring the systematic repression of perceived critics to an end and immediately release all detainees held on political grounds. The government owes it to its people to end this mass repression and to conduct impartial and transparent investigations. We call for the immediate, unconditional release of political opposition figures such as Viktar Babaryka and the more than 1 400 political prisoners Belarus continues to unjustly incarcerate. Thank you, President, and thank you to my colleagues who were involved in this report.

Mr President, first of all, I would like to commend my colleagues, the author who produced this report, as it is very important that we focus on what is happening in Algeria, especially on media freedom and in this case the journalist El Kadi. Without media freedom, citizens cannot form different opinions or make up their worries about what is happening. Many governments don't want the media to be free because they can't then suppress the people. We see this in Russia for example. But the EU is right, even though we have a good relationship with Algeria in terms of trade and economy, at the same time, we should not blindly look at what is happening in the El Kadi case and we need to put pressure on its authorities to let it go.

A Uachtaráin, Nicole ‘Coco’ Fox’s life may have been tragically cut short, but thanks to the courageous work of her mother, Jackie, we may finally be able to act and pass legislation that punishes and outlaws cyberbullying. I have been working on cyberbullying now for over a dozen years, and it can happen on social media, messaging apps, online gaming platforms, or even via text messages and emails. Technology, by and large, is positive but there are also ever—deepening connections involving some negatives, especially on social media. The rise of cyberbullying has been alarming, with more and more young people falling victim to this form of abuse. For Coco, intimate images of her were put online against her will – a horrendous thing for anyone to face, never mind for someone of such a young age. in 2021, Ireland adopted Coco’s Law, which covers a wide range of offences including online abuse, cyberbullying and image—based abuse. Those found guilty can face up to seven years in prison. Jackie is right: it should be a criminal offence to torment and torture somebody online. I fully support calls for Coco’s law to be extended across the EU. We must protect our youth, in particular from the dangers of cyberbullying, and create a more positive and inclusive online culture.