What Seán spoke about.

14

Sep

2021

EN Speech

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Brexit Adjustment Reserve - Draft amending budget No 1/2021: Brexit Adjustment Reserve (debate)

Mr President, I would like to open my remarks by thanking the rapporteur, Pascal Arimont, for the diligent and more importantly balanced and fair approach to this very important file. The objective of the Brexit Adjustment Reserve (BAR) is of course to provide financial support to the most affected Member States, regions and sectors to deal with the adverse consequences of Brexit. It will also hel…

14

Sep

2021

EN Speech

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EU Blue Card Directive (debate)

Mr President, I thank the Commissioner for her fine speech. While the Blue Card Directive does not unfortunately apply in my home country of Ireland, I’m nevertheless glad to have an opportunity to join the discussion on this proposal and on how we can make the EU a more attractive destination for highly-skilled third-country nationals. In order to reaffirm and implement our commitment to a green …

14

Sep

2021

EN Speech

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Presentation of the Fit for 55 package after the publication of the IPCC report (debate)

Mr President, with the ‘Fit for 55’ package, we now stand over the largest single batch of legislation to tackle climate change proposed by any government anywhere. After years of discussing climate change as a problem for the future, it has now slowly crept upon us with increases in devastating wildfires, floods and storms, as well as severe consequences to the natural world and the flora and fau…

8

Jul

2021

EN Speech

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Decent working and employment conditions in the aviation sector - Impact of the COVID-19 crisis on aviation (debate)

Mr President, Ireland being an island, is very dependent on, and indeed grateful to, our two main airlines – Ryanair and Aer Lingus. Indeed, as is the case across the EU, many jobs and livelihoods depend on them. Therefore, the drop in air traffic by over 66% which we’ve experienced since the start of the pandemic must be met with a comprehensive action plan to help the aviation industry soar back…

8

Jul

2021

EN Speech

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Plans and actions to accelerate a transition to innovation without the use of animals in research, regulatory testing and education (debate)

Mr President, animal welfare can often be overlooked, but I am pleased to say that this is not the case in the European Parliament. Last month, we passed a resolution calling for a ban on the use of cages in animal agriculture by 2027. This was in response to ‘End the cage age’, a European Citizens’ Initiative. Some 1.4 million citizens signed it and we responded in kind. For nearly 30 years, the …

8

Jul

2021

EN Speech

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Hong Kong, notably the case of Apple Daily

Mr President, when Hong Kong’s largest pro-democracy paper, Apple Daily, was forced to announce its closure, a chilling message was sent to the people regarding the freedom of expression, as well as a blow to media freedom in the city. Let us not forget the valuable role played by the media. Freedom of the press is vital for informing citizens about public affairs and monitoring the actions of gov…

8

Jul

2021

GA Speech

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The case of Ahmadreza Djalali in Iran

The death penalty is imposed on more people per capita in Iran than in any other country in the world. This is true and the truth is very true. Doctor Djalali, who is from Sweden and Iran, is currently in prison until his execution – although he did not have a fair trial and there is evidence that he was tortured to acknowledgment. I urge the Iranian authorities to abolish the death penalty, relea…

7

Jul

2021

EN Speech

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Breaches of EU law and of the rights of LGBTIQ citizens in Hungary as a result of the adopted legal changes in the Hungarian Parliament - The outcome of 22 June hearings under Article 7(1) of the TEU regarding Poland and Hungary (debate)

Mr President, ponder this: Poland and Hungary are the biggest beneficiaries of European funding. In 2018, Poland paid in EUR 3.98 billion and, in return, received EUR 16.35 billion, four times more than they paid in. Hungary paid in EUR 1.076 billion and received six times more than that, EUR 6.298 billion. At least the Portuguese Presidency moved forward on the Article 7 suspension procedure by o…