Speeches

Madam President, I just want to give comment on the CO2 emissions for cars and vans. This file is one of the many jigsaw pieces that makes up the European Green Deal. Of course, on its own, it seems isolated and its goals sometimes challenging, but coupled with the Alternative Fuels Infrastructure Regulation and national measures to improve access to high—quality public transport, it is an important step towards a less polluting and healthier transport system. I supported the most ambitious targets on the table today because we need to push industries to meet their ambitions. We need to ensure that electric vehicles enter the market at scale in the coming years so that they become more affordable and develop into a second—hand market that will make fossil—free mobility accessible to all.

Madam President, I say to the Taoiseach: in his final speech to this Parliament, John Hume proposed that the EU should have a commissioner for peace and reconciliation, whose mission would be to promote dialogue and help create a world in which there is no longer any war. We are no closer to that vision, but it is worth holding on to. And I echo these sentiments in the hope that a similar approach underpins Ireland’s Council of Europe Presidency assumed recently. For, as we know, human rights are the core of the Council of Europe. Sometimes in this institution we let economic considerations blind us to human rights violations. I refer specifically to the British Government, which daily shows its contempt for the rule of law and, in particular, international human rights law. They are renouncing the European Convention on Human Rights and actively undermining the Good Friday Agreement. Not only are they unilaterally rewriting the protocol, but also imposing one-sided legislation on the legacy of the conflict, providing an amnesty for crimes committed by state forces. The international community has and needs to continue to defend the Good Friday Agreement. Finally, Taoiseach, could I remind you that human rights are often intertwined with social and economic rights? The rights of ordinary people to a home must trump the supposed rights of those who are pricing people out of the housing market or charging extortionate rents.

Madam President, people in the north of Ireland recently voted to elect Sinn Féin as the largest party to an assembly where everyone bar the DUP wants the Protocol and the Assembly to work. The British Government loudly proclaim that they are defending the Good Friday Agreement, but the reality is, is that they constantly attack and undermine it. They claim to uphold international law while unilaterally breaching it – not just on the Protocol, but by amnesties for British state forces guilty of human rights abuses. The DUP’s Jeffrey Donaldson proclaims that the Protocol goes against the Good Friday Agreement, when neither he nor his party have ever supported it. Let me be clear: the Good Friday Agreement is under threat from a toxic alliance of the British Government and the DUP, and the European Parliament needs to make it clear that this behaviour is not acceptable.

Madam President, I want to thank Ms Lalucq. Today is a necessary legal step for the implementation of what was agreed at the OECD, and that agreement should be implemented. It’s an agreement among sovereign countries to make sure hugely wealthy and profitable multinationals begin paying a fair share, or at the very least a share. That is long overdue. All countries which signed up should implement the deal as soon as possible. My party is wary of the EU overstepping on tax policy, which is precisely why we’ve always argued for a global deal to tackle this issue. The OECD is not representative of the developing world yet it is a step forward. The Irish model, which sees a huge amount of revenue coming from a tiny number of companies, is fraught with risks and now is the time to invest in a more balanced economy whilst protecting foreign direct investment and the jobs created.

Mr President, I want to raise an issue that is of some concern for fishing and coastal communities in my constituency. Recently, a dispute arose between fishermen and fish producers with the statutory Sea Fisheries Protection Agency (SFPA) at Killybegs in Donegal, where two fishing vessels were blocked and so forced to land their catch in Derry, for an hour’s drive back to Killybegs rather than allow fish for human consumption become fishmeal. It has now emerged that the SFPA sent a letter to fish processors in Killybegs to inform them that their in-factory weigh permits have been removed on the basis that, and I quote, ‘the SFPA remains of the view that the landing took place outside of Ireland’. Well let me reassure you, Derry is very much in Ireland, and I question the SFPA’s decision and I question whether it is in keeping with the Irish Protocol, and I again call upon them to liaise with relevant stakeholders to find a solution that maintains the spirit of the Irish Protocol and protects our already hard-hit fishing and coastal communities.

Mr. President, although I welcome many in this report, I was not in a position to support it in the end. We are facing a huge challenge, especially due to COVID-19. This report focuses too much on expanding the EU’s powers, rather than tackling the cost-of-living crisis. What is needed is a budget that puts citizens first and I do not see that in this report. In addition, there is too much emphasis in this report on military matters. Ireland is a neutral country and we are proud of that.

Mr President, I too welcome this report on the impact of Brexit for our coastal and fishing communities. It’s clear that Ireland’s fishing sector has been walloped by Brexit as the trade deal amounts to a 15% overall cut to our fishing quota. And our coastal and fishing communities don’t need lip service, they need action. They need our government to sit down with our EU counterparts and the European Commission to make the case for levelling up the Irish fishing industry. Along with this, we need the Dublin Government to fight for Irish fishermen to have a quota for species relatively new to our waters, like bluefin tuna. Representing the island nation of Ireland, I get angry when I see coastal and fishing communities being neglected by successive governments despite being an island with huge potential. What we need is a government that is prepared to stand up for our fishermen.

Madam President, I wish to thank Mr Van Overtveldt for his fair and diligent work on this file. Unfortunately, the end result goes much too far in the direction of deregulation for The Left Group. This is best summed up by the fact that thresholds set by the Commission proposal to contain this pilot project have been increased recklessly. The European Central Bank (ECB), for example, expressed concern at the beginning of the process that for some countries, the thresholds might need to be lowered and that there was a danger of them being circumvented. The Left were not alone in this position, with MEPs from other Groups also seeking to reduce or at least maintain these thresholds. Let me be clear; this is not opposition to innovation or technological advances. It is opposition to irresponsibility and to industry lobbying leading to a pilot project spiralling into what would be, effectively, an exercise in deregulation.

Madam President, so far 2022 has been a year of trauma and shock. War in Europe has returned to compound the escalating cost-of-living crisis. Such is the context for us to discuss EU economic planning. The weeks and months ahead are uncertain and we must retain the maximum flexibility to deal with any situation. That means ruling out a return to the fiscal rules in nine months’ time. It is simply not a realistic plan. This brutal Russian attack has rightly provoked sanctions from the EU and others. These sanctions are acknowledged not to be cost-free for people living in the EU, and their impact must be considered within the recovery. We must also take into account that we have no clarity yet on the revision of the fiscal rules. Even if we achieve the deep and radical reform needed, 2023 is too early. Let us not tie the hands of countries as they navigate the unknown. Keep the fiscal rules suspended until at least 2024.

Mr President, I welcome this question from the Committee on Employment and Social Affairs. Our young people have suffered hugely during COVID. They have sacrificed years of their young lives to keep others safe. Decent pay, a living wage and properly resourced mental health services are important to many young people and must be championed in a post-COVID world and immediately. Specific policies for youth are all well and good, but we must look at the type of society young people are growing up in and entering as adults. Unfortunately, in an Irish context, that society is deeply unfair. This is down to Irish Government policy. The Irish state refuses to use its resources to solve issues like childcare and health issues. Instead, it farms out as much as it can to private actors. This is especially damaging in housing. Where their parents could afford a family home on a single average wage, younger couples can now both be working in well-paid jobs and still not be able to afford a home for their young family, stuck renting at sky-high prices, and that’s before childcare costs. The advocating of vulture funds and similar financial vehicles means that young families and single young people simply cannot compete with billion-dollar funds buying up what little homes there are. It is deeply unfair. Young people deserve a society where a home is affordable. That is something that should – and can – be delivered on with the right policies.

Mr President, Irish trade unionists have raised with me their concern, which I know they’ve communicated to the Commission, that post-Brexit the strategic use of Ireland as headquarters for European works councils has increased. And why is this a concern? Because Ireland’s implementation of the Works Council Directive is haphazard. I am pleased the Commission has confirmed to me in writing that it is in dialogue with Ireland to ensure the law is fully applied, so that workers here can enjoy full works councils rights. Moreover, we must make sure that the right to works council representation is guaranteed throughout the EU, that the Irish Government implement the outstanding aspects immediately and that workplace democracy is prioritised in the EU. Workers’ rights and representations are not optional extras. They are hard-won rights and must be protected even at billion-dollar multinationals.

Mr President, I welcome the debate on congestion at international ports and increased transport costs affecting the EU. This debate has particular relevance in my own country of Ireland. As an island nation where, pre—Brexit, much of our exports had gone via Britain to the continent. It is important we continue to develop transport links between the island of Ireland and Europe. Increasing port traffic to and from Ireland, whilst important, needs to be complemented with increased access to these ports from across our island. This means investment in key infrastructures such as rail. Such investments should aim to increase freight and passenger services all across our island. Indeed, it is time for the Irish Government to act and re-open Ireland’s Western Rail Corridor. The reopening of the Western Rail Corridor would not only be an investment which tackles regional imbalance, but it would also be an investment in sustainable transport and assist our efforts to reduce carbon emissions. The rail line would provide a link from the west and northwest of Ireland to the deep-water ports of Foynes and Waterford, providing a significant opportunity for economic development and helping to reverse the decline of our region. It would not only benefit our all—Ireland economy and communities, but our environment as well.

Madam President, as EU countries roll out COVID—19 booster vaccines, and new treatments are approved, millions still have no access to affordable vaccines and treatments. While over 61% of European populations have been vaccinated, less than 7% of people in low—income countries have received their first dose. Central to this stark inequality are intellectual property monopolies, which allow Big Pharma to control vaccine production, distribution and critically, price. One year after a TRIPS waiver was proposed, the EU remains a key impediment. I say, step up and support the finalisation of the TRIPS waiver at next year’s Ministerial Council. Meaningless ‘declarations’ leave millions without effective vaccines and treatments. The cost of inaction is measured in human lives. People all over Europe are calling for EU governments to put people’s health before corporate profits. This includes the quarter million supporters of the ‘No Profit on Pandemic’ Citizens’ Initiative, which I urged everyone to sign.

Madam President, since becoming an MEP, I’ve been involved in the CAP negotiations, focusing on the performance and monitoring part. When summing up this new CAP reform, the phrase ‘don’t let perfect be the enemy of good’ comes to mind. Yes, there are issues, but supporting this CAP blocks in hard-won progress. Without doubt, this will be a fairer CAP than the last. And again, it can be improved at national level. Firstly, we are closing the gap between the goals and high and lower per hectare payments by another 20%. Second, the new complementary redistributive income support for sustainability (CRISS) mechanism sets aside 10% of payments to further reduce inequality between big and small farmers. Finally, the new framework has resulted in Ireland committed to capping payments at EUR 66 000. So let’s stop talking and get implementing. Small and medium farmers need this increased support now.

Mr President, it is with mixed emotions that I support this trilogue deal. On the one hand, I welcome any greater transparency over tax affairs. This is simply about openness and some level of public scrutiny of the tax affairs of companies, some of which have turnovers equivalent to the GDP of small countries. However, I deplore the actions of the Irish Government and others in diluting and trying to block this legislation. Again without any logical reasoning, the Irish Government has set itself apart and sets its stall against transparency and fairness. We are now entering a new phase where the OECD deal gives us a new framework. The challenge now for Ireland is to repair its reputation, and opposing positive moves like this does the country no favours. Go raibh maith agaibh go léir.

Mr President, I would like to speak on the European citizens’ initiative ‘No Profit On Pandemic’. COVID-19 spreads like a wild fire. This initiative is therefore calling on the European Commission to ensure that everyone, regardless of their country, has the right to a remedy. Public money has been paid to develop our vaccines. Therefore, it is not right that big companies should be profiting from this pandemic. So, I am calling on everyone to sign this initiative on NoProfitOnPandemic.eu. And tell the Commission that we are all entitled to a right to a remedy.

Mr President, I want to welcome this directive. This directive protects drivers when travelling in the EU. It also adds new rights in terms of claim history, even if your previous insurer was in a different EU country. I know this was something that frustrated many people in Ireland. It also provides greater clarity for when an insurer goes out of business. When this happened to Maltese-registered insurer, Setanta Insurance, a number of years ago, thousands of Irish consumers were left out of pocket amid years of legal wrangling about who was liable to compensate them. This new directive will clarify the law, so that it will hopefully be obvious straightaway who will compensate drivers when left high and dry. Moreover, the debate gives us an opportunity to assert the right of Irish drivers to see reductions in their premiums now that pay-outs have dropped by 40%. In June of this year, the Commission made a preliminary finding of anti-competitive practice amongst Irish insurers, something blindingly obvious to many of us for a long time. So, I want to conclude by saying to the Commission here today, don’t take your eyes off the Irish insurers. If we don’t see reductions in premiums proportionate with the reduction in pay-outs, I will be knocking on the Commission’s door again on behalf of Irish drivers.

Madam President, People’s ability to power and warm their homes is a fundamental right – a right threatened by soaring energy prices. In Ireland, there have been over 30 price hikes announced by suppliers this year. We have seen decisive action across Europe to protect energy-poor households. The Irish Government must follow suit. The Commission has outlined that the best long-term solution is the just energy transition. This transition must put communities and households at the centre of our energy policies. Right now, our energy system still panders to corporate polluters. In Ireland, our energy security is endangered by the government’s overindulgence of data centres. Europe’s energy policy must prioritise people’s right to clean, affordable energy above corporate profits and market ideologies. There is nothing just about a transition that results in rising energy prices and the threat of power outages to families and workers. A true just transition must put people first, not corporations.

Madam President, international investigative journalists have shone a light on many who crave the spotlight in their professional and political lives but wish for their secret wealth to be shrouded in darkness. I commend the work of these journalists. It reminds those who need reminding that our world is a viciously unequal place. As countries scramble for millions to fund health and social services, USD 11 trillion are out of reach offshore. My own country, Ireland, plays a significant role in this great cheating of our peoples. Global action to tackle offshore money and the associated crime and tax avoidances is now required. As a cog in this machine of inequity, Ireland must get its house in order, start rebuilding our reputation not as facilitators to hiding capital of billionaires, but as a country with moral conscience that values transparency over secrecy, equality over inequality, and decency over greed.

Madam President, the EU Council looked at the national plans for economic recovery and resilience, but I must highlight to this Parliament worrying issues of transparency and democracy. Ireland’s National Plan seems to be a secret! Drawn up with scant consultation or outreach, the plan was submitted without democratic debate and we now know much of it was redacted, visible to neither the public nor their elected representatives. The Irish people have a right to know what future decisions are being made for them. Is tax policy being decided in a redacted document by civil servants in Brussels and Dublin without due democratic recourse? Details of any reform must be publicly scrutinised, not developed under pressure to access recovery funds. The Irish people did not elect representatives to Dublin and Brussels to have the truth hidden away from them. This culture of secrecy is unacceptable!

Madam President, two weeks ago in our capital city, Dublin, a flotilla of fishing vessels sailed up the River Liffey to protest against the continuously bad deals they have received from the EU and successive Irish governments. The message was clear: the common fisheries policy (CFP) is destroying the Irish fishing industry. Brexit, quota cuts, prioritising money for bureaucracy and enforcement instead of our coastal and fishing communities are just a few examples of what is causing this hardship. But there’s an obvious solution: radical reform of the CFP. As an Irish Republican I firmly believe that the natural resources of Ireland belong to the people of Ireland, and I for one am tired of our fisheries being used as a bargaining chip.