What Seán spoke about.

27

Nov

2024

EN Speech

Watch

Rise of energy prices and fighting energy poverty (debate)

Madam President, tackling the rise in energy prices must be an economic and social priority. Families are struggling to heat their homes and European businesses are finding it harder to stay competitive. To address this, we must first identify the root causes of high bills. The recent energy crisis has shown us the dangers of our reliance on volatile fossil fuels. The cost of imported fuels dictat…

27

Nov

2024

EN Speech

Watch

Topical debate (Rule 169) - Budapest Declaration on the New European Competitiveness Deal - A future for the farming and manufacturing sectors in the EU (topical debate)

Commissioner, my friends. God to you. In today’s rapidly evolving geopolitical landscape, Europe must revitalise its competitiveness to remain a global leader. Among the challenges we face is ensuring a resilient and competitive agricultural sector as we transition towards a more sustainable economy. This starts with providing farmers with a stable and predictable framework to thrive in without ex…

26

Nov

2024

EN Speech

Watch

Reinforcing EU’s unwavering support to Ukraine against Russia’s war of aggression and the increasing military cooperation between North Korea and Russia (debate)

14

Nov

2024

EN Answer

Watch

Enhancing Europe’s civilian and defence preparedness and readiness (debate)

Yes, we are committed to democracy, we are committed to diplomacy, and we recognise that President Trump was elected by a majority in the United States. So our group, I think, will be working to recognise that, to try and find where we have common interests. And particularly, I think, Mr Trump will have to reflect on the situation in Ukraine now that North Korea has joined in the war. That changes…

14

Nov

2024

EN Speech

Watch

Enhancing Europe’s civilian and defence preparedness and readiness (debate)

Madam President, this debate is especially timely, and I thank former Prime Minister Niinistö for his excellent work. A new reality is upon us. A second Trump White House is now confirmed and this reshapes our security landscape. This morning, the focus is on military preparedness and safeguarding Europe's security. In addition to this, we also must recognise the potential substantial funding gap …

24

Oct

2024

GA Speech

Watch

People’s Republic of China’s misinterpretation of the UN resolution 2758 and its continuous military provocations around Taiwan (RC-B10-0134/2024)

Mr President, I have supported this resolution because Taiwan deserves meaningful participation in international forums. While UN resolution 2758 of 1971 recognises the People’s Republic of China, it does not resolve the status of Taiwan or confer sovereignty on China over Taiwan. Taiwan, a democratic and vibrant country around the world, plays a crucial role from healthcare to technology. Its pea…

24

Oct

2024

GA Speech

Watch

Situation in Azerbaijan, violation of human rights and international law and relations with Armenia (RC-B10-0133/2024)

Mr President, the motion for a resolution is not only a political statement on the situation in Azerbaijan, but a moral statement. We need to respond to Armenian ethnic cleansing, continued military aggression and Azerbaijan’s blatant disregard for human rights. The European Union must protect democracy, and the rule of law and those values must be constantly respected. We must not only condemn th…

24

Oct

2024

EN Speech

Watch

Protecting our oceans: persistent threats to marine protected areas in the EU and benefits for coastal communities (debate)

A Uachtaráin, protecting our oceans is essential to Europe's sustainable future. The EU's target to designate 30 % of European seas as marine protected areas is an important and necessary step in safeguarding marine biodiversity. We should also ensure 10 % of these are strictly protected to allow for regeneration. We have a responsibility to put marine conservation at the forefront of our efforts …

23

Oct

2024

EN Speech

Watch

Tackling the steel crisis: boosting competitive and sustainable European steel and maintaining quality jobs (debate)

A Uachtaráin, I think this is a very timely debate, because we are looking at a situation which we have made for ourselves. We are in a rush to regulate everything. We have ensured that some industries, and particularly steel, are no longer viable. But I was encouraged by the points made by Commissioner Dalli, where she pointed out the reality of the situation, but also the opportunities in terms …

22

Oct

2024

EN Speech

Watch

Urgent need for a ceasefire in Lebanon and for safeguarding the UNIFIL mission in light of the recent attacks (debate)

A Uachtaráin, since Israel's invasion of Lebanon, not only has more devastation been brought in the world, but also another offensive against the rules-based order, which the United Nations has worked to protect since the Second World War. UNIFIL are not in southern Lebanon to attack anyone. They are a force mandated by the UN to keep the peace. Yet, as we have seen, 'peaceful' or 'UN' do not nece…

10

Oct

2024

EN Speech

Watch

Consequences of the devastating forest fires in the Amazon and the importance of the Amazon for climate change (debate)

(Start of speech off mic) ... as devastating forest fires ravaged parts of the Amazon. While the immediate flames have now subsided, the scars left behind remind us of the critical importance of this vast rainforest, not just for South America, but for the entire world. The Amazon, often referred to as the lungs of the Earth, plays an essential role in regulating our climate by absorbing significa…

9

Oct

2024

EN Speech

Watch

Iraq, notably the situation of women’s rights and the recent proposal to amend the Personal Status Law

A Uachtaráin, we are witnessing a deeply troubling development in Iraq with the proposed amendments to the personal status law. These changes would effectively place family matters – including marriage, divorce and child custody – under the jurisdiction of religious courts rather than civil law. This move undermines the principle of equality before the law, as enshrined in Iraq's own constitution,…

9

Oct

2024

GA Speech

Watch

The cases of unjustly imprisoned Uyghurs in China, notably Ilham Tohti and Gulshan Abbas

Mr President, (the microphone did not pick up the start of the speech) ...and if I go beyond that, turn off the microphone. I want to support my colleagues, especially Miriam Lexmann here and the other authors, Petras who have accurately demonstrated what is happening in China with regard to the Uyghurs. Of course, this is not the first time that we are talking about the Uyghur situation in this P…

9

Oct

2024

EN Speech

Watch

2024 Annual Rule of law report (debate)

A Uachtaráin, the 2024 report highlighted a number of shortcomings that we should be addressing: judicial independence, media freedom and anti‑corruption are just some of the areas where we see significant breaches of the rule of law. In Ireland, we have implemented a number of measures to improve our national judicial systems. However, we are only one Member State, and this is only one aspect of …

8

Oct

2024

EN Speech

Watch

Mobilisation of the European Union Solidarity Fund: assistance to Italy, Slovenia, Austria, Greece and France further to natural disasters occurred in 2023 (A10-0002/2024 - Georgios Aftias)

A Uachtaráin, I was pleased to vote in favour of this resolution to mobilise the European Union Solidarity Fund to assist regions affected by severe natural disasters in Italy, Slovenia, Austria, Greece and France. These disasters have inflicted devastating damages, with estimates reaching billions of euros, and have profoundly impacted the lives of countless citizens. While this resolution gives …

8

Oct

2024

EN Speech

Watch

Situation in Sudan (debate)

A Uachtaráin, this is not the first time we have debated Sudan here in the European Parliament. It's ongoing, unfortunately, and the situation isn't getting better. Indeed, every Sunday in my home parish of Fossa in Killarney, the parish priest, Father Geaney, prays for those in the most troubled parts of the world. And he usually mentions Ukraine, the Holy Land, as he calls it – the Middle East, …

8

Oct

2024

EN Speech

Watch

Escalation of violence in the Middle East and the situation in Lebanon (debate)

A Uachtaráin, every bomb dropped, every border crossed adds to the suffering and displacement of people who have already endured too much. Israel has every right to defend itself. The hostages must be released. And Hamas, Hezbollah and Iran must all be condemned for their heinous acts. But what we have seen in the aftermath of 7 October is not entirely self-defence, but collective punishment and t…

8

Oct

2024

EN Speech

Watch

Preparation of the European Council of 17-18 October 2024 (debate)

A Uachtaráin, Europe's competitiveness is facing a fundamental challenge and, as Mario Draghi's report highlights, we cannot ignore the underlying structural causes. It has become abundantly clear to me, particularly since the onset of the recent energy crisis, that there can be no competitive Europe without cheap and predictable energy costs. As long as we remain dependent on imported fossil fuel…

19

Sep

2024

GA Speech

Watch

The devastating floods in Central and Eastern Europe, the loss of lives and the EU’s preparedness to act on such disasters exacerbated by climate change (RC-B10-0057/2024)

Mr President, I was pleased to vote in favour of this report and why not? Because we must stand in solidarity with our western and central European counterparts. The terrible floods and bad weather have hit them hard over the last few weeks and, in particular, we express our condolences to Austria, Germany and Poland and others for the extent to which they have suffered from these terrible floods.…

19

Sep

2024

EN Speech

Watch

Situation in Venezuela (RC-B10-0023/2024)

A Uachtaráin, I voted for this resolution as the Venezuelan presidential election on 28 July marked a significant decline in the rule of law in the country. Maduro's regime, like Chavez before him, has employed numerous tactics – such as banning candidates, creating confusion and withholding voting records – to undermine a legitimate electoral process. Without transparency, his self-declared victo…

19

Sep

2024

EN Speech

Watch

Continued financial and military support to Ukraine by EU Member States (RC-B10-0028/2024)

(start of speech off mic) ... voting for this resolution, as we must stand united in reaffirming our commitment to Ukraine as it faces an illegal and unjustified war of aggression from Russia. The courage of the Ukrainian people in defending their sovereignty is commendable, but the costs – both human and material – are staggering. Russia's systematic atrocities, including indiscriminate attacks o…

19

Sep

2024

GA Speech

Watch

Possible extradition of Paul Watson: the danger of criminalisation of environmental defenders and whistle-blowers, and the need for their protection in the EU (debate)

Mr President, As the Commissioner said, in general, it is right that we stand up for whistle blowers, especially those who are trying to protect our environment, as unfortunately for many years now it has become clear that our nature, seas and environment are in danger. And if illegal things are happening around the world, we should stand up for the whistle blowers that show that. And that’s the c…

19

Sep

2024

EN Speech

Watch

The historic CJEU ruling on the Apple state aid case and its consequences (debate)

A Uachtaráin, they say doctors differ and patients die; judges differ and we get apple pie – a very expensive EUR 13 billion apple pie. But I point this out because, in 2020, the EU General Court ruled in favour of Apple and the Irish Government. The CJEU has, however, ruled differently. We accept and respect that decision, and now we move on. Two points. One, this is a state aid ruling, not a tax…

18

Sep

2024

EN Speech

Watch

The deteriorating situation of women in Afghanistan due to the recent adoption of the law on the “Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice”

A Uachtaráin, the systemic erosion of women's rights in Afghanistan under the Taliban regime is a grave and pressing issue that deserves greater attention on the international stage. Recent laws implemented by the Taliban represent another chilling step towards gender apartheid, aimed at erasing women and girls from public life entirely. We must unequivocally condemn the Taliban's radical interpre…

17

Sep

2024

EN Speech

Watch

War in the Gaza Strip and the situation in the Middle-East (debate)

A Uachtaráin, the dire situation that continues to unfold in the Gaza Strip is deeply troubling. This conflict, now in its 11th month, has led to an appalling humanitarian disaster. Over 40 800 Palestinians have lost their lives, with more than 94 000 injured. The devastating impact extends beyond Gaza, spilling over into the West Bank, exacerbating an already dire humanitarian crisis. As Fine Gae…