Speeches

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.

A Uachtaráin, as our rapporteur, the esteemed professor and the Commissioner said, geothermal energy is a tremendous yet often-overlooked resource. It is the local, secure and renewable energy source that can play a pivotal role in decarbonising the heating sector and meeting our climate and energy goals in certain areas. The heating sector, responsible for half of Europe’s energy demand, is a major contributor to greenhouse gas emissions, with over 60% relying on fossil fuels. Decarbonising this sector is crucial, and geothermal district heating provides a scalable and affordable solution for many regions, cities and communities across Europe. We need simplified permitting procedures, access to sub-surface data, and support for low temperature district heating networks, to make geothermal energy a cornerstone in our clean energy strategy. In my constituency, the cities of Cork, Waterford and Limerick have enormous potential for district heating networks and I have discussed this with many stakeholders across the Ireland South region. The Commission must take a leadership role to make geothermal across Europe more than we have at the moment.

Madam President, I was never in Serbia, but my former assistant, Jelena Radaković, was from Serbia, so I have an interest in it, and I am pleased that we are now in a position where we can analyse the elections. Hopefully the report will be positive because I think enlargement as such for the EU is a very good thing. But also the hope of acceding to the European Union one day sets in train reforms that may not otherwise happen without that. I would hope that the hope of being a member of the European Union one day – when they see the benefits which many of their neighbours, including Franc’s Slovenia, have, having joined – will encourage them to bring an inclusive society where the rule of law is observed, respect for minorities, etc. That hope then, and those reforms, will become a reality when they join the European Union one day. I think that would be great for the European Union and great for Serbia.

A Uachtaráin, I think, first of all, I am very pleased with the support the farmers are getting from my group, the EPP. We see ourselves as the farmers’ party, but at the same time, farmers themselves feel not just not loved, but sometimes not appreciated and in some respects marginalised. And it isn’t Fit for 55 that’s the problem – it is the implementation of it and not getting recognition for the work they have done. An awful lot of good things are happening in farming to reduce emissions, but they’re not getting credit for it. Secondly, the red tape associated with it is overwhelming, so much so that Teagasc – the advisory group in Ireland for farmers – have no time now to visit any farms. Their whole time is taken up with filling in one form after another for all the various schemes. This has to change. And finally, calendar farming. There is no flexibility whatsoever. So farmers maybe, who have a tank full of slurry with cattle having to lie down in their own excrement, can’t do anything about it until a particular date is reached, which may not even be suitable to spread slurry. But that’s the way it is. A little bit of flexibility, a little bit of common sense would go a long way.

Thank you very much for your question. No, I don’t, and I recall when Viktor Orbán and his party were part of our group, myself and a former MEP from Sweden, Gunnar Hökmark, were one of the first to say that his behaviour was totally unacceptable. I’m glad that found favour eventually with the EPP and he left us. We’re better off without him and Europe would be better off without him as well. As I said, he is Putin’s pompous puppet. We don’t need him.

A Uachtaráin, 2024 will be the year of democracy, with consequential elections taking place all across the world. Yet we cannot celebrate this expansive democratic exercise while a democratic country in Europe is being bombarded and devastated by a power-hungry totalitarian. I have major concerns about the ongoing situation in Ukraine and the hurdles we face in securing the much-needed EUR 50 billion special fund for our allies. The urgency of obtaining financial support for Ukraine cannot be overstated, especially considering the country’s escalating public deficit, and the pressing need for resources amidst the Russian attacks. Viktor Orbán – Putin’s pompous puppet – selfish veto is a stain on Europe, and he should not be able to block the will of 26 Member States for his own self-interest. Yet I am hopeful an acceptable way can be found to overcome this impasse. Our support should not only be financial, but also strategic, providing the necessary tools for Ukraine to defend itself and ensure a better future for its citizens. While these negotiations are ongoing, the focus must remain on securing the EUR 50 billion fund, whether Putin’s pompous puppet likes it or not. (The speaker agreed to take a blue-card question)

A Uachtaráin, in the wake of the economic setbacks brought on by the coronavirus pandemic and the need to stimulate more investment activity in the EU, I welcome the amendments to the Markets in Financial Instruments regulation. An EU-wide consolidated tape for financial markets, instruments and targeted changes to market structure will strengthen transparency and competitiveness in the financial markets of the European Union. Investors will be better protected, as well as having easier access to-up-to date transaction information for the whole of the EU. The practice whereby brokers receive payments for forwarding client orders to certain trading platforms will eventually be completely phased out. Lastly, I commend the inclusion of assessment by June 2026, of whether the consolidated tape framework indeed mitigates information asymmetries and whether the EU has become a more attractive marketplace. Hopefully it will.

A Uachtaráin, regulating fluorinated greenhouse gases is an essential step in ensuring that nothing slips through the cracks of the European Green Deal. These greenhouse gases are human-made chemicals that are often several thousand times stronger than carbon dioxide. The prohibition of greenhouse gases has a proven successful track record in reducing damage to our ozone layer, and this regulation is the way to ensure that that statement remains true. The revisions made to this directive will ensure better implementation of the regulation, to set a downward trend in both production and consumption of these gases by clarifying and strengthening existing standards. Sin iad na fáthanna gur vótáil mé i bhfabhar an rúin seo.

A Uachtaráin, the recovery of the ozone layer following the adoption of the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer in 1987 was a triumph for humans in the face of climate change. It gave us hope that with good governance it is not too late to turn around our current trajectory towards climate catastrophe. It is time for us to act in the name of the planet once again and not let the triumphs of the leaders who came before us be in vain. Thus, it is essential that the EU avoids any backsliding and ensures that its ozone-depleting substances policy is aligned with the objectives in the European Green Deal – of which we have done so much in this mandate – the Montreal Protocol and the Paris Agreement. De bharr na gcúiseanna seo, vótáil mé i bhfabhar an bhille.