Speeches

A Uachtaráin, most European citizens want to reduce their carbon footprint, and to that end they try to buy products which are seen to be sustainable. The problem is, of course, they are not sustainable. Europe is awash with greenwashing. I’ll give an example: in my own country, a company claimed that it was producing products using renewable energy. It was, but guess how much? Five per cent renewable energy, the rest was fossil fuels. So this has to stop and I’m delighted we’re making an effort here. On the other hand, you have farmers who are storing carbon in their soils, and without a carbon farming framework they cannot be rewarded. Indeed, there are those who do not want to reward them; they want to use all stick and no carrot. So I think it’s essential that we reward those who are making a genuine effort to reduce emissions, to store carbon, and put an end to greenwashing so that we can have proper efforts here, made in Europe.

A Uachtaráin, simply, Ireland needs to invest more in its own security. Maritime security is pivotal for Ireland’s strategic interests given the vast marine territory under our jurisdiction. This territory extends far beyond our coastline, and includes energy pipelines and subsea cables, making it of immense importance to the European Union. Approximately 75% of cables in the Northern Hemisphere pass through or are in close proximity to Irish waters. These cables play a crucial role in facilitating 97% – yes, 97% – of worldwide communications, encompassing financial transactions, business activities and everyday internet connectivity. No wonder Russian submarines have been observed more and more off our coast. It’s time for an Irish approach, but also a common EU approach. Ireland is also seen, unfortunately, as a soft touch for the transit of illegal drugs, as shown by the seizure of EUR 33 million of crystal meth in a warehouse not far from where I live, in my constituency, which came from Mexico and was eventually bound for Australia. If that doesn’t tell a message, what does?

A Uachtaráin, obviously, it’s unacceptable that patients in Ireland and across the European Union have to wait long periods for life-saving medical aid of one kind or another. And if bureaucracy – and particularly European bureaucracy – is partly responsible for that, we have a duty to ensure that that is removed at the quickest possible speed. Also, as colleagues pointed out, we have to be very careful that we don’t drive companies out of Europe because of overregulation or not giving them the time to do the work they need to do, because innovation takes a lot of time, it isn’t always successful and we have to bear that in mind. But particularly, I think, as has been emphasised particularly by my colleague Deirdre Clune, as soon as the next Commission is up and running, they’ll have to do a complete overhaul of the regulations here, remove the unnecessary bureaucracy, and ensure that innovations can take place and also that patients will get the medical aid they need as quickly as possible. That has to be done and it shouldn’t be beyond our remit.

Mr President, as a member of the Committee on International Trade, I welcome trade agreements. We have done quite a few in the last 10 or 15 years, which have been very positive for Europe because trade agreements are about win—win, and there are thousands and thousands of jobs created in Europe as a result of trade agreements. It is also very important that we diversify, in particular, in relation to critical raw materials. Lithium from Chile will be a big help in diversifying away from dependence on China, etcetera. Sustainability clauses are good, climate change is always very important, but there is a caveat. When my colleague Benoît here referred to agriculture, we have to be very careful of the overall impact of trade agreements on agriculture, and that’s why I think a sunset clause is very important to see how it’s impacting. If you have a continuous erosion of internal production, that’s not a good thing and that’s something we must monitor. Thankfully, Mercosur has fallen by the wayside. That would have been far worse. Chile won’t affect us that badly.

A Uachtaráin, Ireland is a neutral country, but neutrality doesn’t make you immune to modern phenomena such as terrorist attacks, cyberattacks, disinformation campaigns, political interference. An example was when our HSE was attacked, a cyberattack, a year or two ago, doing significant damage to our health services. Also, Ireland hosts, in its territorial waters, thousands of energy pipelines and subsea cables, which are vital for not just Ireland, but the European economy. Russian forces were seen to be observing and monitoring and mapping these some time ago, but our defence forces are underinvested in and are incapable of responding. We need to work with our European partners and invest more in, particularly, our defence forces, so that they can at least monitor and help defend us from these type of attacks.

Mr President, I also voted in favour of this recommendation on the transparency and targeting of political advertising. The aim of this recommendation is for European citizens to be able to easily identify political ads, understand who is behind them, and know whether the ad they have received is targeted so that they are better informed to make measured choices. It will help preserve an open and fair political debate in the Member States. It shall also protect the fundamental rights of citizens, in particular the right to privacy. I am also pleased that this proposal does not go overboard and that normal political advertising is still possible and practical under the new rules.

Mr President, I fully support this proposal to establish a Strategic Technologies for Europe Platform or ‘STEP’. This new platform will channel investment into the areas of digital and deep tech, clean technologies and biotechnologies, with the aim of preserving, growing and developing this important project across Europe. Through a combination of incentives and financial measures to facilitate project funding, it will use funding to support critical technologies under existing EU programmes and funds. This will significantly contribute to strengthening the EU’s long-term sovereignty and competitiveness in this sector, which is paramount today.

A Uachtaráin, security agreement from all states and the allocation of the EUR 50 billion fund for Ukraine was a success that depended on the timely approval of this Ukraine Facility, so that we can ensure structured and coordinated support for Ukraine. This package epitomises the strength of the Union, showing our collective support and commitment to democracy in the face of tyranny and transnational aggression. It is the moment for this to show leadership from Europe. The Ukraine Facility is a comprehensive instrument which crucially considers short- and long-term recovery and reconstruction. It ensures predictability, transparency and accountability of the funds, ultimately putting Ukraine on the road to accession. For these reasons, I voted in favour and I am delighted to have done so, and I hope it will encourage and give moral support as well to the people of Ukraine.

Mr President, as has been said, there are inequalities everywhere, but there’s no doubt about it: there are more inequalities in non-democratic countries than democratic countries. Countries run by tyrants, autocrats, dictators, military juntas, where even to criticise the regime, you could be thrown into jail and possibly murdered. Then we have the inequalities as a result of global warming, especially in Africa, South America, Caribbean, etc. And then you have the horrible inequalities in places like Iran and Afghanistan, even in Afghanistan, where girls aren’t allowed to go to school. This is just horrible. Thankfully, we in the European Union take a global view. We do our best through development aid to help the situation and I think also we probably need to do more in relation to the climate Adaptation Fund and possibly use whatever influence we have to put pressure on the regimes where inequalities are absolutely vile.

A Uachtaráin, I have emphasised at every juncture that the attacks launched by Hamas against Israel on 7 October were reprehensible. The vast death toll of civilians, many of whom are children, the extensive destruction of property and infrastructure, and the displacement of 2 million people far exceed what could be considered Israel’s right to defend itself. The Irish government, and indeed Irish MEPs, have repeatedly called for a ceasefire. But day by day we see the horrors continue. Where does this all end? Whatever post-conflict Gaza looks like, the EU should be united in calling for Palestinian people to have a voice and a vote in what that looks like through a revitalised Palestinian Authority. Otherwise, extremists will fill the void. Until now, we have seen no plans for what happens next. But Netanyahu’s government has now rejected any internationally-imposed solution, including the prospect of the recognition of a Palestinian state. Plans to build thousands of new settlement homes in the West Bank fly directly in the face of the two-state solution. How can we, as an EU institution that supports the two-state solution, not point out this glaring hypocrisy? Palestinians have the right to life, not just to live, but a life. Let’s give it to them.

A Uachtaráin, Commissioner, licensing practices and standardised technologies have a significant impact on European industries and businesses. From Wi-Fi and other wireless communications, these technologies are integral to our modern economic fabric. In principle, I support enhancing transparency and negotiation pathways in standard essential patent processes and the Walsmann report. Recognising the importance of rationalising regulatory processes, fostering transparency and balancing the intellectual property ecosystem is an opportunity to facilitate innovation, growth and investment. However, as we embrace these opportunities, it is paramount to ensure that the European Union retains its competitiveness on the global stage. This is of particular importance to Ireland as an all location for innovation and enterprise. Smaller companies, crucial for driving innovation, often find themselves at a disadvantage due to a lack of knowledge and legal representation when it comes to essential patents. I believe this SEP Regulation will help level the playing field, providing more predictability, transparency and legal certainty, particularly for SMEs. The existing system can bring European businesses into litigations using the threat of market exclusion to enforce unfair licence terms. This ultimately causes consumers to bear higher product prices. When it comes down to it, EU competitiveness is a vital importance and should be a key factor when striking the balance between patent holders and users.

A Uachtaráin, it’s one thing to have a plan, it is another thing to implement it, and if things change you have to adjust it. That’s what we are talking about today. Things have changed, obviously, with the war in Ukraine and I agree completely with the Ukraine Facility. We should pass it unanimously if possible. Because it is not just the finance, it is also the moral support. When you’re being attacked, moral support is hugely important, and especially now that the USA, unfortunately, is dithering. Secondly, we have climate change and the Green Deal. The Green Deal has to be implemented. It needs a lot of resources so that nobody is left behind and we have a just transition. Thirdly, competitiveness. We have lost competitiveness in Europe. If you’re not competitive, you’re not at the races. We need to get back into the race and not just into the race: we need to be at the head of the field. That is hugely important. If we can do that, everything else will flow from it.

– Mr President, this is a very important discussion. In fairness to the European Union, we are the biggest donor of development in humanitarian aid in the world. That’s very positive and it’s not mentioned often enough. Also, encouraging like—minded countries in particular, although that is sometimes difficult to define, to participate in Union programmes, as well as free trade agreements and GSP+ are all very positive for third countries, maybe more than Europe. There is huge room to involve more people in Horizon because if you want to get the best results, you have to get the best scientists. While we have a lot of them in Europe, there are obviously experts around the world that we can benefit from, and that’s a very positive development. I would hope that, in the next mandate, there will be an increased budget for Horizon because it pays dividends in the long term. Erasmus+ is also a great opportunity for our own students within Europe to travel to one of the Member States, but bringing people from abroad as well is very positive, and it’s good for the overall global society.

Mr President, Commissioner, we do not often debate the working conditions of teachers in the European Parliament. Therefore, I welcome this debate. As a former teacher, I am fully aware of the good work, hard work and dedication that teachers give to their profession, and their positive impact on young people and the future in general. Many teachers also do great voluntary work, not only outside school hours in the school itself, but in the wider community. And especially in my life, for the Gaelic Athletic Association and sports in general. At the same time, we have a shortage of teachers, and we should focus on this. We should attract people into schools to teach, by giving young teachers a long-term contract instead of an annual one. And also, many young teachers go abroad to teach, and that experience and those years they spend abroad should be recognised when they return home, by giving them a bigger salary. I respect teachers very much, I understand their situation, we give them all the help, especially because of their working conditions. Teachers forever!

– Mr President, I voted for this resolution to support the call for an international moratorium on deep—seabed mining until its effects on the marine environment, biodiversity and human activities have been sufficiently researched. I also share concern about the Storting’s decision to open areas for deep—seabed activities. The resolution highlights the concerns raised by the Norwegian Environment Agency regarding significant knowledge gaps in the environmental impact assessment. Importantly, the resolution also draws attention to the international context, considering the impact on high seas and areas for international fisheries. It underscores the need to respect existing agreements which regulate the continental shelf in the region. Moreover, the resolution emphasises the ecological significance of the Arctic, addressing concerns about the vulnerability of its ecosystems. It points out the potential release of methane stored in subglacial ecosystems and Arctic permafrost soils, highlighting the risk to biodiversity, fish stocks and climate regulation. It is only right that we should vote in favour of this plan.

Mr President, our farmers need the best tools available to support our production and our food security. My support for this proposal is based on the recognition of the need to embrace new technology and innovation in the agri-food sector. New genomic techniques, or NGTs, have great potential to help us adapt to many of the most serious challenges facing European agriculture today – including food security, climate change and reduced biodiversity – and their use should benefit farmers, consumers and the environment alike. I support the transparency and control requirements of this proposal, which would serve to maintain a high level of protection in both human and animal health, while enabling the further development and use of NGT plants and their products. Ultimately, this proposal gives new opportunities for farmers. Farmers will be able to use technology that their competitors outside of the EU are already using, thus creating a more level playing ground. Crops derived from NGTs may exhibit enhanced yields and decrease reliance on pesticides, resulting in improved family incomes and fostering a more sustainable approach to food production.

A Uachtaráin, today I was happy to support the directive regarding the limit values for lead in its inorganic compounds to secure rules protecting millions of workers across the EU. This is the fifth revision of the EU legislation on cancer-causing substances, bringing essential changes to the carcinogens, mutagens and reprotoxic substances directive and the Chemical Agents Directive. The directive aims to protect workers from health risks linked to exposure to dangerous chemicals. The lead limit values are to be updated for the first time since 1982. Despite lead’s wide use, including batteries and cosmetics, it is hazardous to health. Ingested or inhaled, it can damage the central nervous system, and it can also affect the kidneys, the heart and blood, amongst other harmful effects, in particular for fertility. Once introduced correctly, this directive will have positive impacts for many workers in Europe.

A Uachtarán, a Choimisinéir, Christians are the most persecuted religious group in many parts of the world, and we in the EPP, the Christian Democrats, condemn this and stand in solidarity with our persecuted brothers and sisters around the world. For example, at least 160 Christians were massacred by the Fulani militants in Nigeria on Christmas Eve. This tragedy reminds us of the harsh reality faced by Christians in Nigeria, one of the most dangerous places in the world for Christians. Since 2009, over 52 000 Christians have lost their lives, while 18 000 churches and more than 2 000 Christian schools have been destroyed. The Nigerian authorities must conduct a thorough, independent investigation into the Christmas attacks and ensure that those responsible are brought to justice, and must also make every effort to improve the security of Christian communities, promote dialogue and ensure their commitment to socio-economic reform. Freedom of religion is an inalienable human right that we must protect with all our efforts.

Mr President, we have been bearing witness to Lukashenka’s regime increasingly close further and further in on civic space in Belarus and this latest wave of mass arrests and arbitrary detentions on trumped-up charges further proves his determination to crack down on any fundamental freedoms which remain in the country and tighten his authoritative grip over the people of Belarus. The rights to freedom of expression, of assembly and freedom against torture and arbitrary detention are bastions of a democratic and free society, and rights which the European Union has committed itself to protecting. We have a duty, therefore, to stand up against these injustices against the people of Belarus when we see them. So, I reiterate the resolution’s call for decisive and immediate action from the High Representative, Mr Borrell, and the Council to place sanctions on the Lukashenka regime in Belarus, which, after all, he has turned into only a vassal state of Putin’s.

Mr President, I agree with my colleagues, Maria Walsh, on this matter and on establishing a balance across the whole world. Equality is the key word. They say people are born equal, but some more equal than others. And I think the LGBTQ community can vote for that. It’s one thing to have a theory where you have equality, but in practice there are too many examples of discrimination against people based on sexual orientation. We have to fight against it constantly because a person’s colour or creed or sexual orientation shouldn’t be a basis for discrimination, both within Europe and outside Europe. I think we should do more outside Europe as well, where people are often condemned to death and executed based on sexual orientation. This is not good enough. We often have very favourable trade arrangements for those countries through GSP+, etc. And I think we should be putting pressure on them to end discrimination against LGBTIQ people and everyone indeed.

A Uachtaráin, it’s only right we should fight against hatred of all types: antisemitism, anti-Muslimism, but also anti-Christian hatred. Only last week we saw a church in Turkey being attacked during mass. Christians are the most persecuted minority in many parts of the world, and that’s something that we EPP Christian Democrats would have to condemn and would like to see addressed. Also, it has to be said that, in relation to antisemitism, while Netanyahu had a right to defend Israel after the horrific attacks by Hamas, he’s gone over the top completely. The indiscriminate killing of so many Palestinians, women and children, is something that we’d have to condemn, and that actually makes it very difficult to fight against antisemitism. And that is something we have to recognise and hopefully bring about peace there. As well as that, we need to look at the platforms that have become a home for the haters and a home for the bitter – to use it, often anonymously, to spread hatred. And that’s something we need to look at, particularly in the next mandate: look at Twitter and the like to stop this free opportunity to spread hatred.

A Uachtaráin, a Choimisinéir, quality traineeships play a pivotal role in integrating young people into the labour market. The transition from education to employment is fraught with difficulties for our youth, and it is imperative that we address these obstacles collectively. Despite progress in recent years, there remain significant hurdles. Notably, the number of young individuals gaining long traineeships has decreased. Furthermore, while the percentage of paid traineeships has increased, it is disheartening that nearly half of the trainees across the EU continue to go unpaid, undermining the financial stability of our emerging workforce. Quality traineeships are instrumental in bridging the gap between education and employment. However, these persisting issues threaten to discourage talented individuals and exacerbate existing inequalities. We need to incentivise and promote paid traineeships, increase the overall number of traineeships, and encourage collaboration between educational institutions, businesses and government bodies. Quality traineeships are indispensable tool in aiding the integration of young people into the labour market.

Madam President, solar energy is becoming increasingly important in Europe’s energy transition, with the scale of deployment surprising many experts. There were 20GW of new EU solar installations in 2020, doubling to 40 in 2022. Last year, as Commissioner Mairead McGuinness pointed out, Europe installed 56GW of solar capacity. Very impressive. This success is extremely welcome, but we cannot expect industry to maintain this positive trend if we expose European producers to unfair trading practices. Currently, we’re negotiating legislation to boost domestic production of key technologies, such as solar panels, wind turbines and heat pumps, aiming to reduce dependence on China, which currently accounts for almost 80% of global solar manufacturing. However, we must ask: will this happen quickly enough? Can we meet the target of having 40% of European demand for solar panels produced within Europe by 2030 if producers are already struggling? If we are to avoid economic vulnerabilities, we need to stand on our own two feet. Solar is an extremely important industry for the future, and Europe must be a significant part of it.

A Uachtaráin, a Choimisinéir Mairead agus Deirdre ó Chorcaigh, the world of banking has evolved as technology becomes more advanced. While there is and should continue to be a place for cash payments in today’s society, the reality is that personal and business finance has become more and more digitised. Instant transfer banking, such as Revolut, has become very popular for a reason. The nature and means by which people transfer money has changed and we should embrace this shift. While instant payments have been offered in the EU for a number of years, with this legislation, instant payments in euros will become a requirement, not a possibility, for payment service providers. This is good news for customers, as the proposals would require banks to be capable of receiving and sending instant payments without surcharge and across all channels, with payments capped at EUR 100 000. This is particularly important for Irish consumers, as none of the Irish retail banks currently provide their customers with the ability to transfer money instantly. Relying on transfers that can take up to three working days is holding us back, and I support measures that mandate instant payment services, as we can see how efficient and convenient the technology is. However, it is very important that enough time be given to implement this change securely. The last thing we want to see is unnecessary risks to our bank system security. Fortunately, this legislation also provides provisions to make transfers more trustworthy. This is a good news story for consumers, making instant euro payments affordable and accessible to citizens.

A Uachtaráin, at the recent Parliamentary Partnership Assembly meeting in the House of Commons we discussed fisheries, and we’ll be making recommendations as a result. One of the points that came across clearly was that Irish fishers, both in the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland, have lost out heavily as a result of Brexit, and we will make recommendations as to how that can be amended. Also, we looked at the annual quota, which makes no sense because if we, for instance, had to have an election every year, how could we function? It’s the same for fishers that need a multi-annual plan, the same as in the CAP, for at least five years. As well as that, we need to look at processing, carrying fish halfway around the world to process it, when it should be processed as close as possible to the landing port makes absolutely no sense, and that is what we should be doing in the future. And, of course, it should not help third countries, particularly countries like Norway and Iceland and others, when European fishers are discriminated against.