What Seán spoke about.

12

Mar

2024

EN Speech

Watch

EU climate risk assessment, taking urgent action to improve security and resilience in Europe (debate)

Madam President, the EU’s climate risk assessment report is a stark warning that Europe is the fastest warming continent in the world. For the EU, this should also be seen as an opportunity. It is now clear that our decarbonisation efforts are good for our economies and good for our consumers. Across the Union, the days on which we have the most wind or the most solar on the grid are the days when…

12

Mar

2024

EN Speech

Watch

Artificial Intelligence Act (debate)

Mr President, (start of speech off mic) ... on behalf of those who sat here during the entire debate in the hope of catching the eye, I want to say I am not happy with the way you handled it. After Commissioner Breton spoke beyond his time, you encouraged Members to speak longer than their time allotted. You said you were going to be lenient with them because you were lenient with the Commissioner…

12

Mar

2024

EN Speech

Watch

Council and Commission statements - Preparation of the European Council meeting of 21 and 22 March 2024 (debate)

Mr President, at the March Council meeting leaders will discuss the issues facing the agricultural sector and I cannot emphasise enough how important this discussion is. Our farmers had to withstand unprecedented economic challenges over the past four years as the COVID pandemic, energy price hikes, unfair international competition in an increasingly protectionist international environment and spi…

11

Mar

2024

EN Speech

Watch

Energy performance of buildings (recast) (debate)

, Commissioner Simson, , scaling up the deployment of renewable energy technologies is a vital part of delivering on our climate goals, but it must go hand in hand with maximising the efficiency of our existing building stock – the last missing piece, as the Commissioner just said. In 2022, the same year the energy crisis really began to wreak havoc on our electricity and gas bills, the EU relied …

11

Mar

2024

EN Speech

Watch

Substantiation and communication of explicit environmental claims (Green Claims Directive) (debate)

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 renew…

29

Feb

2024

EN Speech

Watch

Commission recommendation on secure and resilient submarine cables (debate)

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 p…

29

Feb

2024

EN Speech

Watch

Next steps towards greater patient safety by swiftly ensuring the availability of medical devices through a targeted transitional period (debate)

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 c…

29

Feb

2024

EN Speech

Watch

EU/Chile Advanced Framework Agreement - EU/Chile Advanced Framework Agreement (Resolution) - Interim Agreement on Trade between the European Union and the Republic of Chile (joint debate - EU-Chile agreements)

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 relatio…

28

Feb

2024

EN Speech

Watch

Strengthening European Defence in a volatile geopolitical landscape - Implementation of the common foreign and security policy – annual report 2023 - Implementation of the common security and defence policy – annual report 2023 (joint debate - European security and defence)

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…

27

Feb

2024

GA Speech

Watch

Transparency and targeting of political advertising (A9-0009/2023 - Sandro Gozi)

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 …

27

Feb

2024

GA Speech

Watch

Establishing the Strategic Technologies for Europe Platform (‘STEP’) (A9-0290/2023 - José Manuel Fernandes, Christian Ehler)

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 pr…

27

Feb

2024

EN Speech

Watch

Establishing the Ukraine Facility (A9-0286/2023 - Michael Gahler, Eider Gardiazabal Rubial)

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 transnati…

27

Feb

2024

EN Speech

Watch

Rising inequalities in the world (debate)

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, espe…

27

Feb

2024

EN Speech

Watch

War in the Gaza Strip and the need to reach a ceasefire, including recent developments in the region (debate)

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…

27

Feb

2024

EN Speech

Watch

Unitary supplementary protection certificate for plant protection products - Unitary supplementary certificate for medicinal products - Supplementary protection certificate for plant protection products (recast) - Supplementary protection certificate for medicinal products (recast) - Standard essential patents (joint debate - Patents)

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 …

27

Feb

2024

EN Speech

Watch

Multiannual financial framework for the years 2021 to 2027 - Establishing the Ukraine Facility - Establishing the Strategic Technologies for Europe Platform (‘STEP’) (joint debate - multiannual financial framework revision)

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 a…

8

Feb

2024

EN Speech

Watch

Association agreements for the participation of third countries in Union programmes (debate)

– 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+…

8

Feb

2024

GA Speech

Watch

Working conditions of teachers in the EU (debate)

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 s…

7

Feb

2024

EN Speech

Watch

Norway's recent decision to advance seabed mining in the Arctic (B9-0095/2024)

– 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 …

7

Feb

2024

EN Speech

Watch

Plants obtained by certain new genomic techniques and their food and feed (A9-0014/2024 - Jessica Polfjärd)

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…

7

Feb

2024

EN Speech

Watch

Limit values for lead and its inorganic compounds and diisocyanates (A9-0263/2023 - Nikolaj Villumsen)

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 directiv…

7

Feb

2024

EN Speech

Watch

Recent attacks on Christmas Eve in Plateau State in Nigeria

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 fa…

7

Feb

2024

EN Speech

Watch

New wave of mass arrests in Belarus of opposition activists and their family members

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 fr…

7

Feb

2024

GA Speech

Watch

Implementation report on the EU LGBTIQ Equality Strategy 2020-2025 (continuation of debate)

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 …

7

Feb

2024

EN Speech

Watch

Need to fight the increase of antisemitism and anti-Muslim hatred (debate)

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 t…