What Seán spoke about.

11

Feb

2026

EN Answer

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Urgent actions to revive EU competitiveness, deepen the EU Single Market and reduce the cost of living - from the Draghi report to reality (debate)

No, Russia committed a serious error, but it also showed us that dependency on Russia for our gas supplies, as dependency on China for critical raw materials, is not good for us. But, at the same time, we do have an obligation to support Ukraine because they are actually fighting our war. It has been estimated that if Russia is not curtailed, in five years' time they'll have the capacity to attack…

11

Feb

2026

EN Speech

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Urgent actions to revive EU competitiveness, deepen the EU Single Market and reduce the cost of living - from the Draghi report to reality (debate)

President, Commissioners. We are moving forward. Mr Draghi correctly identified energy prices as perhaps the most fundamental factor for European competitiveness. Electricity is two to three times more expensive here than in the US; gas – four to five times. Without an abundance of domestic supply, there is only one way to structurally lower energy costs in Europe; That is, end our dependence on g…

10

Feb

2026

EN Speech

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Presentation of the action plan against cyberbullying (debate)

A Uachtaráin, this is a debate we have had time and time again over the years. I have consistently called for stronger action to prevent cyberbullying, including criminalisation, and for better educational initiatives for children to better understand its impacts. And I have organised public events to highlight this terrible affliction. And I am pleased that in Ireland we have led in this area thr…

21

Jan

2026

EN Speech

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Preparations for the EU-India summit (debate)

A Uachtaráin, if one thing has been made clear in 2026, it is that Europe needs trustworthy trading partners – the bigger the better. And few come bigger than India. That is why it is of paramount importance that a deal can be reached, which facilitates investments and opens up trade for the EU into the world's fastest-growing economy. Populists across the world have used slow economic growth to d…

21

Jan

2026

EN Speech

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Presentation of the Digital Networks Act (debate)

A Uachtaráin, a Choimisinéir, radio is not just a part of our culture; it could save your life. The Digital Networks Act should protect in-car radio – not just for our enjoyment, but for our safety. If the subsea cables around Ireland were damaged, or if we experienced an electricity blackout like Spain and Portugal did last year, or a major storm like we had last January, what would happen? Inter…

18

Dec

2025

EN Speech

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

Thank you, President. Dear Commissioner, God bless you this morning. We have seen this debate too many times. Efforts to combat misinformation and harmful online content are pitted against fundamental rights, free speech and national sovereignty, and we make little progress as a result. It's a tired story, where the real losser is the legitimacy of our institutions – the very thing that makes Puti…

17

Dec

2025

EN Speech

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Preparation of the European Council meeting of 18-19 December 2025, in particular the need to support Ukraine, transatlantic relations and the EU’s strategic autonomy (debate)

A Uachtaráin, last but not least, of course. Support Ukraine? Absolutely. Transatlantic relations? At their lowest ebb ever. EU strategic autonomy? Absolutely vital. In relation to Ukraine, the frozen assets have to be utilised. Guarantees for Belgium? They don't have to carry the can for Europe. Then it should be solved. As regards America, Trump's attitude is simple. Two words: 'America first'. …

16

Dec

2025

EN Speech

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Grids package and tackling raising energy prices through robust infrastructure (debate)

Mr President, thank you to Commissioner Jørgensen. You have listened to us and you have shared suggestions in the package that are very good. Good on you. I think we are in full agreement. an expanded and modernised electricity grid is non-negotiable, if we want decarbonisation, electrification and lower energy costs for citizens and industry. The grid package makes it very clear that our electric…

16

Dec

2025

EN Speech

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Phasing out Russian natural gas imports and improving monitoring of potential energy dependencies (debate)

A Uachtaráin, when Putin invaded Ukraine, he surprised many people in Europe, especially in the West. But we surprised him with the unity in which we responded, particularly in the sanctions being imposed so quickly, the welcoming of unfortunate Ukrainian refugees, but also the speed at which we are moving now to independency on Russia for oil and gas. But even if there was no Putin, we should be …

27

Nov

2025

EN Speech

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Outcome of the UN Climate Change Conference - Belém (COP30) (debate)

26

Nov

2025

GA Speech

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EU strategy for the rights of persons with disabilities post-2024 (debate)

26

Nov

2025

EN Answer

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EU position on the proposed plan and EU engagement towards a just and lasting peace for Ukraine (debate)

This is not about blame; this is about being realistic. The plan proposed by the US, in the name of Donald Trump, makes no sense. It's a capitulation. And without the support of Europe – both in terms of taking in refugees and supporting Ukraine in the war – they would have been overrun long ago by Russia. Peace, to be realistic, has to be fair – and particularly fair to those who are suffering. I…

26

Nov

2025

EN Speech

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EU position on the proposed plan and EU engagement towards a just and lasting peace for Ukraine (debate)

Madam President, those who do not learn from history are doomed to repeat it. Appeasing bullies won't stop wars. Yes, we need a plan to end this war, to end the destruction and the violence. But how we bring that about matters. This is not a surrender: there can be no decisions made without Ukraine and without Europe. Russia does not get to dictate the future security of Ukraine or of Europe. The …

13

Nov

2025

EN Speech

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Conclusions of the European Council meeting of 23 October 2025 (debate)

Mr President, over a year on from the Draghi report, and how are we doing? Not too well, I'm afraid. As Mr Draghi himself warned recently, we need a step change in the EU's action. Competitiveness depends fundamentally on two things: affordable energy and technological leadership. Yet both are being undermined by delays to the infrastructure we urgently need, from power grids to semiconductor foun…

22

Oct

2025

GA Speech

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Preparation of the European Council meeting of 23 October 2025 (debate)

Let's work quickly and quickly.

22

Oct

2025

EN Speech

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Preparation of the European Council meeting of 23 October 2025 (debate)

A Uachtaráin Metsola, a Uachtaráin von der Leyen, affordable housing has become one of the most urgent social and economic challenges across Europe. Just last week, Eurostat reported that house prices in the EU have risen by an average of 53.4 % over the past decade. And in Ireland, that figure sits well above average at a staggering 83.4 %. For many, owning or even renting a home is out of reach.…

21

Oct

2025

EN Speech

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Institutional consequences of the EU enlargement negotiations (debate)

A Uachtaráin, I've always been in favour of enlargement. I think when you join a club, you shouldn't close the door behind you, lock it and keep everyone else out. My country has benefited hugely from joining the European Union way back in 1973. Then, of course, we had Brexit. I always felt that the best answer to Brexit is enlargement, and there are many countries that want to join the European U…

21

Oct

2025

EN Speech

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Recent peace agreement in the Middle East and the role of the EU (debate)

A Uachtaráin, a chairde, the late John Hume, who won the Nobel Peace Prize for helping to broker the Good Friday Agreement, once said that we must spill sweat and not blood to bring about a brighter future. Just two weeks ago, we celebrated the ceasefire deal brokered by President Trump. Last weekend's events showed just how fragile it is. There is a narrow path to lasting peace in Gaza. It will r…

9

Oct

2025

GA Speech

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United response to recent Russian violations of the EU Member States’ airspace and critical infrastructure (RC-B10-0419/2025)

Dear President, Without a doubt, there is a terrible war in Ukraine. And at the same time, US President Donald Trump was talking about peace, which Russia has no interest in. The best way to achieve peace is to win the war, and talking about it in the middle of the war, it's like a football team talking about a celebration in the middle of a game. You have to win the game and then you can celebrat…

9

Oct

2025

EN Speech

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Situation in Afghanistan: supporting women and communities affected by the recent earthquakes (RC-B10-0415/2025)

A Uachtaráin, imagine you were stuck under rubble after one of the most deadly earthquakes in Afghanistan's recent history, and you can't be helped because of the Taliban's rule of no skin contact with unrelated males and females. The marginalisation of women in Afghanistan has reached new heights. Bans on women working in NGOs, studying, and restrictions on their travel have massively impacted wo…

9

Oct

2025

EN Speech

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Public health risks in a Europe affected by global warming: tackling the spread of mosquito- and tick-borne diseases (vote)

A Uachtaráin, a Choimisinéir, climate change is not just about sea levels and storms. It is already shaping the health threats facing Europe. Warmer winters, shifting rainfall patterns and ecological disruption are bringing mosquito- and tick-borne diseases to new regions which are ill-equipped to deal with them. Imagine a summer trip to southern France or even northern Germany, where West Nile vi…

8

Oct

2025

EN Speech

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Promoting EU digital rules: protecting European sovereignty (debate)

Dear President, Commissioner, the EU is too slow where speed is needed and too fragmented where unity is vital. Our inability to adapt to a rapidly changing digital landscape has left us dependent on foreign technology, short on investment and, ultimately, strategically and economically exposed. There are two major challenges we must address if we are serious about protecting European digital sove…

8

Oct

2025

EN Speech

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United response to recent Russian violations of the EU Member States’ airspace and critical infrastructure (debate)

A Uachtaráin, how the narrative changes. A few months ago, we were all dancing to the tune of Donald Trump as he touted his peace initiative in Ukraine. Of course, Russia had no interest whatsoever in peace, as we have learned since. Also, of course, talking about peace in the middle of a war is like a football team talking about celebrations in the middle of a match. The best way to guarantee cel…

7

Oct

2025

EN Speech

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New Strategic EU-India Agenda (debate)

A Uachtaráin, in today's increasingly multipolar and complex world, the European Union benefits from cultivating strong and reliable partnerships in order to continue serving as a global standard‑bearer for liberal democracy. India, soon to be the world's third‑largest economy, stands out as a natural partner in this effort. The strategic agenda and upcoming free trade agreement will help to solid…

7

Oct

2025

EN Speech

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Situation in Afghanistan: supporting women and communities affected by the recent earthquakes (debate)

A Uachtaráin, Afghanistan has suffered two earthquakes. One, the geological earthquake, which was devastating, but more devastating was the political earthquake when the Taliban took over, because their attitude to women is animalistic. It's sadistic; it's illogical. To think that any man who was born because of a woman, who has sisters, wives, daughters, etc., can treat women like that is just ab…