What Seán spoke about.

11

May

2023

EN Speech

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Protecting and restoring marine ecosystems for sustainable and resilient fisheries - Agreement of the IGC on Marine Biodiversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction (High Seas Treaty) (debate)

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 importan…

10

May

2023

EN Speech

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Belarus: the inhumane treatment and hospitalisation of prominent opposition leader Viktar Babaryka

– 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 Babar…

10

May

2023

GA Speech

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Media freedom and freedom of expression in Algeria, the case of journalist Ihsane El-Kadi

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…

10

May

2023

EN Speech

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Fighting cyberbullying of young people across the EU (debate)

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 email…

10

May

2023

EN Speech

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The role of farmers as enablers of the green transition and a resilient agricultural sector (continuation of debate)

Mr President, deputy Commissioner McGuinness said this was a very important debate, a key debate, a really important debate. And yet the Commissioner in charge is not here. Now, we’ve had over 50 speakers in Parliament. They all came according to their mandate. None of them sent in a deputy. So I think, for really important, key debates in future, if a Commissioner doesn’t turn up, we have to put …

9

May

2023

EN Speech

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Schools scheme for fruit, vegetables, milk and dairy products (A9-0096/2023 - Carmen Avram)

A Uachtaráin, this Parliament report addresses the implementation of a dedicated EU school scheme which will fund the distribution of fruit, vegetables and milk along with educational and information measures. This scheme forms part of a key objective to ensure that children’s nutritional needs are met and healthy eating habits and lifestyles and established from an early age. The report focuses o…

9

May

2023

EN Speech

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Co-management of fisheries in the EU (A9-0119/2023 - Clara Aguilera)

A Uachtaráin, the involvement of the entire fishing community is crucial for the conservation of fishing resources and the reasonable allocation of fishing quotas. It is essential to have a legal framework at EU level to ensure an effective co-management of fisheries while also respecting the local specificities of each Member State. This report calls for the involvement of all stakeholders in the…

9

May

2023

EN Speech

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Methane emissions reduction in the energy sector (A9-0162/2023 - Pascal Canfin, Jutta Paulus)

Madam President, methane is a powerful greenhouse gas, second only to carbon dioxide in its overall contribution to climate change and air pollution. In the EU, the energy sector is estimated to account for around a fifth of human-made methane emissions. I therefore welcome the report’s overall objective to reduce direct methane emissions from the oil, fossils, gas and coal sectors and from biomet…

9

May

2023

EN Speech

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Empowering consumers for the green transition (debate)

A Uachtaráin, the choices made by consumers across the EU are pivotal to our green transition. We all have a role to play in reaching our climate targets, and it is clear that Europeans from all Member States are committed to playing their part if given the opportunity. Our daily choices have the power to drive change and make a significant impact on our climate. To enable consumers make informed,…

9

May

2023

GA Speech

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Start of the European Year of skills (debate)

Mr President, First of all, congratulations to the Commission for organising this important year, not only this year but it is set to continue for 12 months. A lot of progress can be made during this period. And it is urgently needed, because in every industry we see that they are looking for young people with the skills and they do not have the skills. And the reason in many places is that young …

20

Apr

2023

EN Speech

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EU Action Plan against Trafficking in Cultural Goods (debate)

A Uachtaráin, I welcome this initiative to combat criminal activities and protect cultural heritage. The monitoring and control of trade in cultural goods can vary considerably within the single market, leaving loopholes for criminals to cover their tracks and misrepresent the origin of a commodity. Measures to increase the traceability of the transfer of ownership of cultural goods within the sin…

20

Apr

2023

EN Speech

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Cohesion dimension of EU state aid and de minimis rules (debate)

A Uachtaráin, without doubt, cohesion policy is a great success story for the European Union, where countries express solidarity for another, where the rich help the poor and poorer countries become rich. My own country, like many other countries who joined the European Union, has benefited from that. But I think that the classification of regions, particularly within smaller countries, is too big…

20

Apr

2023

EN Speech

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IPCC report on Climate Change: a call for urgent additional action (debate)

Mr President, the latest IPCC report underscores the urgency of the climate crisis. It presents findings on climate science, mitigation and adaptation, highlighting the need for immediate and ambitious action to limit global warming and its impacts. Given the urgency reiterated in the report, we must now move beyond identifying possible solutions and take concrete steps to implement them. We have …

19

Apr

2023

GA Speech

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Repression in Russia, in particular the cases of Vladimir Kara-Murza and Alexei Navalny

Mr President, thank you for giving me the chance to add my voice to Parliament’s voices condemning what is happening in Russia, especially as concerns the Kara-Murza and Navalny cases. It is clear that Putin has no respect for anyone who condemns him. Whether they are Russian or not. He throws people in prison for twenty-five years who criticise the war, some of its product size. Vanity Project to…

19

Apr

2023

EN Speech

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The crackdown on the right to education and education rights activists in Afghanistan, including the case of Matiullah Wesa

, the situation in Afghanistan worsens. I am gravely concerned for the safety and well-being of Afghan citizens, particularly women and girls, members of the LGBTQ community and ethnic minorities. We have witnessed the Taliban taking away women's freedom of movement, their right to work and their right to education. We have reached crisis point and it is time for the EU to take swift action. One a…

19

Apr

2023

EN Speech

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Keeping people healthy, water drinkable and soil liveable: getting rid of forever pollutants and strengthening EU chemical legislation now (topical debate)

A Uachtaráin, forever pollutants have been present in consumer products for decades. The risks that these chemicals pose to human health and our environment are of utmost concern. Indeed, 84 % of Europeans have expressed their fears regarding the impact of chemicals on their health. Action is necessary to address these risks. Like most aspects of policymaking, the revision of EU chemicals legislat…

18

Apr

2023

GA Speech

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Social Climate Fund (A9-0157/2022 - David Casa, Esther de Lange)

Mr President, the rising price of fossil fuels has created social consequences. Vulnerable families are left aside struggling. In addition, micro-businesses and people using transport that rely on fossil fuels are also left in the wings. Most of the time, these people do not have the opportunity to take advantage of sustainable means of travel because they do not have the opportunity and because t…

18

Apr

2023

EN Speech

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Carbon border adjustment mechanism (A9-0160/2022 - Mohammed Chahim)

A Uachtaráin, the carbon border adjustment mechanism seeks to ensure that the carbon price paid by industries in Europe will also be paid by those importing goods from third countries. Importers of carbon-intensive goods will be held accountable to pay the same levy as is imposed on comparable domestic industries under the EU ETS, allowing for the extension of the carbon price paid by EU firms to …

18

Apr

2023

EN Speech

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Revision of the EU Emissions Trading System (A9-0162/2022 - Peter Liese)

A Uachtaráin, the ETS is one of the EU’s most important policy tools for reducing greenhouse gas emissions in Europe – not only this, but significantly reduces our dependency from Russia and others. It should also serve to keep the prices under control in the long term. For sectors covered by CBAM, free allowances will be phased-out, with a slower start than the Commission proposal and a later pha…

18

Apr

2023

EN Speech

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EU Rapid Deployment Capacity, EU Battlegroups and Article 44 TEU: the way forward (debate)

Madam President, like my colleague, Barry Andrews, I too obviously come from Ireland and would have some reservations regarding our participation obviously, as a neutral country, in a rapid deployment force at European Union level. Nevertheless, I can understand and see the need for both military and humanitarian support for Ukraine. And I cannot understand the logic of some people saying that by …

18

Apr

2023

GA Speech

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Guidelines for the 2024 budget - Section III (debate)

Mr President, Commissioner Hahn, this report gives Parliament the opportunity to set out its interest for the coming year under the budget. This year we had to deal with a lot of economic challenges. High energy cost and rising inflation rates led to a cost-of-living crisis. They're all in the woods these days. This report reflects Parliament’s reflection on its efforts to deal with people’s conce…

18

Apr

2023

EN Speech

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Question Time (Commission) - Legacy of the European Year of Youth

Mr President, I would like to compliment our wonderful Commissioner, Mariya Gabriel, on her work for the European Year of Youth and for facilitating this discussion on its legacy and lessons learned. Indeed, I think it is something that every Commissioner should do once every five years. There is no doubt about it: young people have been greatly impacted by COVID and also are going to be affected …

18

Apr

2023

EN Speech

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Adoption of the Cyber package proposals (debate)

A Uachtaráin, cybersecurity is an integral part of European security. Whether it is using connected devices, our power grids or the services of banks, air transport, public administration or hospitals, citizens must be protected from cyberthreats. The economy, democracy and society of the EU depend, now more than ever, on secure and reliable digital tools and connectivity. Cybersecurity is therefo…

18

Apr

2023

EN Speech

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Energy storage (debate)

A Uachtaráin, Commissioner Kadri, energy is the lifeblood of any economy, and building a more sustainable and resilient energy system is imperative for the future of every Member State, especially in light of recent geopolitical developments. Renewables do not produce power constantly and amid increased electricity demands, energy storage becomes critical as it enables us to store renewable energy…

29

Mar

2023

EN Speech

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General Product Safety Regulation (debate)

A Uachtaráin, Commissioner, the General Product Safety Regulation is an important regulation that directly impacts the lives of every EU citizen by ensuring that all products sold in the European Union are safe for consumers. The GPSR has allowed European consumers to trust the products they buy, particularly for high-risk products, such as toys for our children and electrical appliances. Although…