[ParlTrack]

It is essential that the European Patents’ Office Court of Appeal listens to and respects the position of farmers, horticulturalists and botanists across Europe who will be hampered and inhibited from doing their very important work. Basic biological processes such as crossing would be banned, thereby reducing the genetic variability of plants in the Union. This is not something the Union should be supporting. In fact, the opposite is required if we are to maintain a healthy ecosystem.I am supportive of this resolution, as it fixes an issue that arose as a result of ambiguity in the original legislation. No one ever intended to allow for the patentability of tomatoes, other plants and crucially essential biological processes. Common sense is required on this matter. The very idea that the European Patents Office would go against the best interests of the public and the express will of the Commission and Parliament is not acceptable. Across Europe and in my own country of Ireland, jobs could be put at risk if this situation is allowed to continue. Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) cannot afford the pay for patent rights to make use of essential biological processes.

2019/09/19

While I have voted in favour of this resolution on the MFF, I want to put on record my opposition to CCCTB being used as a mechanism to fund the Union.Of course, the Union needs its own sources of revenue, but taxation is not an EU competence; it is a competence of each member state.Countries such as Ireland, that lack major sources of natural resources to drive their economies, need to be creative and entrepreneurial if they are to secure investment and jobs.Transparent and fair taxation is one such way, and taking this power away from national governments and national parliaments would be incredibly detrimental to smaller, open economies such as Ireland.

2019/10/10

. – ‒ I voted in favour of this resolution for two primary reasons. One, Irish SMEs will be affected by the British decision to leave the European Union. They must be supported at a European level to meet these challenges head on. The EGAF does just that.Secondly, the EGAF should be used to support the economy of the Irish Midlands region and other parts of the country, such as County Clare, which are experiencing a transition from economic activities based on the burning of fossil fuels such as peat, for example.A just transition is urgently required to ensure that communities do not suffer in the short term and that in the long term, new economic models with well-paying, sustainable jobs are created. I will work with my colleagues in Dáil and Seanad Éireann to ensure that the EGAF is utilised as much as possible to support at-risk communities.

2019/10/22

. – This is a common-sense proposal aimed at maintaining the status quo in terms of fishing rights for Irish vessels in British waters, and vice-versa. Irish fishermen rely on access to British waters to earn a living. Any possible blockage to them earning a living is not acceptable.This resolution has widespread support and will ensure that the status quo remains in place until a withdrawal agreement and/or future relationship agreement is signed between the UK and the EU. Additionally, this resolution maintains the requirement for all fishing to be carried out in a sustainable fashion.

2019/10/22

I voted against this motion for two primary reasons.1. This is not an accountancy matter; it is a tax matter. The proposal, as constructed, does not comply with the principle of subsidiarity. This is an attempt to bring about changes to Irish tax law via the back door.2. There are already discussions taking place at an OECD level, which I believe is a better forum to discuss these matters, as it affects both EU and non-EU based companies. Having a global response to this issue will lead to better outcomes.I do not have an ideological objection to public country-by-country reporting of tax by companies; I have an objection to the EU encroaching on Member States’ competences in the area of tax.

2019/10/24

I voted in favour of the report on the distance sales of goods and certain domestic supplies of goods to ensure that we have a VAT regime that is fit for the digital age.Updating the e-commerce rules will simplify VAT procedures across the single market and will make it easier to buy and sell goods cross-border. This legislation will also help to close existing loopholes to ensure that VAT collection is more effective.

2019/11/14

. – Agus tacaíocht á tabhairt don rún seo agam, aithním an chaoi a bhféadfadh cáineadh ó Pharlaimint na hEorpa cur le bréaginsint de chuid na heite fíordheise sa Pholainn go bhfuil an tAontas, ar bhealach, ag déanamh bulaíocht ar a dtír.Mar sin féin, ní mór dom tacú leis an rún seo 100% (‘céad fán gcéad’) de bhrí go bhfuil, mar Bhallstát den Aontas, oibleagáidí áirithe le comhlíonadh ag an bPolainn.Le togra reachtach na Polainne, comhcheanglaítear go hearráideach gníomhaíocht in aghaidh péidifilia le fáil a bheith ar ghnéasoideachas agus ar oideachas sláinte atáirgthe ar bhealach a oireann dá n-aois.Mar gheall ar bhearta a rialtais, nó dá gceal sin, cuirfear aos óg na Polainne faoi mhíbhuntáiste. Is é an easpa oideachais, seachas soláthar oideachais, is cúis le torthaí nach bhfuiltear ag súil leo.Ba cheart do shaoránaigh uile na hEorpa an t-eolas agus na scileanna is gá a fháil chun dul i ngleic le saol an lae inniu. Mura gcuirtear ar fáil gnéasoideachas agus oideachas sláinte atáirgthe ar bhealach a oireann dá n-aois, tosóidh an t-aos óg ag brath ar an idirlíon chun eolas a fháil ar chúrsaí den sórt sin. Cúis mhór bhuartha a bheadh ann, gan amhras.

2019/11/14

. ‒ I fully support the measures in this agreement to close an existing loophole on a ‘novel cut’ of chicken breast. There is an urgent need to halt the unlimited duty-free import from the Ukraine of these so-called custom chicken cuts. This legal loophole is putting significant and unfair pressure on European poultry producers and undermines the commitments given to the sector that trade deals are based on a fair and rules-based trading system. I voted to support this agreement as this modification ensures that EU producers will be protected in the future against unlimited imports of poultry meat.

2019/11/26

Today I voted to elect the new College of Commissioners. President von der Leyen’s college is the most gender—balanced and climate conscious there has been. While it is not perfect, it is a positive step in the right direction and will set a standard for future Commissions. It is now time for the commissioners to act on their commitments and deliver for the EU. I look forward to working constructively with the commissioners over the coming five years.

2019/11/27

I voted in favour of this resolution for one primary reason - Democracy in Venezuela is being attacked The global community, bar a few rogue outliers, has rightly condemned the outrageous abuse of power in that country, and the human rights abuses that are being perpetuated on the people of Venezuela.Since Maduro first came to power in 2013, there have been an increase in human rights abuses, and a shrinking of the civil and political spheres. He has stifled dissent, targeted the opposition and presided over the collage of the local economy.Insanity is doing the same thing over and over again, and expecting a different result. Repeatedly, socialist dictators come to power promising the sun the moon and the stars, and we get the same result: the collapse of economies and the abuse of human rights.The proven oil reserves in Venezuela are recognised as the largest in the world, totalling 300 billion barrels.The United Nations Human Rights Office has denounced ‘widespread and systematic use of excessive force’ against demonstrators, saying security forces and pro-government groups were responsible for the deaths of at least 73 protesters.The EU must send a strong and clear message that it supports democracy, the rule of law and opposed dictators.

2020/01/16

Today, I voted broadly in favour of a resolution ahead of the UN biodiversity conference (COP15). I voted in favour of strong legally binding targets at global and EU level to increase ambition and ensure that post-2020 action on global biodiversity will be effective. We need credible actions on biodiversity conservation and restoration so that the EU meet its targets and stops the current trajectory of biodiversity loss.The resolution calls on the von der Leyen Commission to move away from voluntary commitments and to propose an ambitious and inclusive Biodiversity Strategy for 2030 that sets legally binding targets for the EU and its Member States. I expect the EU to make nature protection and restoration a top priority in the European Green Deal alongside climate change, and to restore at least 30% of degraded ecosystems by 2030.

2020/01/16

The EU Vietnam trade package represents the most ambitious trade and investment agreement ever concluded with a developing country, creating a benchmark for the whole ASEAN region. The agreements will bring strong economic opportunities for consumers and business in both Vietnam and Europe.I strongly welcome the actions of the Parliament in taking strong action in relation to labour rights and human rights concerns. The agreement commits Vietnam to standards for sustainable development, including improving its human rights record, protecting labour rights and upholding its pledges to deal with climate change issues under the Paris accord.In particular, I commend the work of my colleagues in the RENEW Group in seeking and securing clear commitments from Vietnam on labour rights and human rights. Human rights activists based in Vietnam have stressed that the EU could best help bring change by engaging strongly with the country.Creating a closer, formal and enhanced dialogue via these trade agreements will allow the EU to leverage economic relations to influence other areas of cooperation, such as human rights.

2020/02/12

I voted against this legislative proposal despite the obvious failings in how the British government is implementing the data exchange agreement with the European Union.As the only Member State with a land border with the UK, Ireland is in a unique position vis-a-vis this issue. The ability of An Garda Síochána to check finger print data against the information held by the British authorities in the future will be very important in ensuring that criminals do not use the border on the island of Ireland to escape prosecution.I note that a review from the British government is due by 15 June, and I hope that they will outline a timetable by which they will start to respond to requests with the same level of data that is provided by EU Member States. It is in everyone’s best interests, irrespective of EU membership or not, that data that can be used to track down and prosecute criminals, subject to appropriate data protection safeguards, is made as freely available as possible.

2020/05/13

. – The Fianna Fáil delegation voted for the compromise MFF, own resources and recovery resolution as EU citizens need an immediate response to the economic crisis caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. There are elements in the resolutions, such as paragraph 9, where a reference to the potential introduction of a common consolidated corporate tax base was made, that we oppose. As such we voted against the inclusion of this language. Tax is a national competence. Therefore, the setting of a corporate tax rate in Ireland is a matter solely for the Oireachtas and the Irish Government. Fianna Fáil, in government, would use the veto at EU Council level to defend Ireland’s right to set its own rates.However, Europe needs a response now. It needs a significant investment and recovery package that supports existing jobs and creates new ones. We need an effective, funded and citizen-sensitive transition to a low-carbon economy. This resolution is the culmination of five political groups, representing the full spectrum of political parties, and is worthy of our support. Compromise is necessary to deliver for the people we seek to represent.

2020/05/15

I abstained on the vote on the competition policy annual report as it included an amendment calling for the introduction of an EU-wide common consolidated corporate tax base (CCCTB). I believe this is fundamentally at odds with promoting European competitiveness and that taxation is, and should remain, a Member State competence. Had this amendment not been in the report I would have been happy to support it as the report is comprehensive and gives a strong political message from this house on some of the competitiveness challenges that face Europe in the coming years.

2020/06/18

. – I voted in favour of setting up a committee of inquiry to investigate alleged contraventions and maladministration in the application of Union law in relation to the protection of animals during transport. It is imperative that we uphold high standards of animal welfare and investigate and sanction any contravention of the EU’s rules. However, in doing so, the specificities of Ireland’s farming sector operating on an island must be given due account and I will seek derogations if and where necessary.

2020/06/19

. – Just as it did in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the EU must agree upon and implement an ambitious recovery plan. I believe that the EU having the competence to generate its own resources will be crucial to repaying the necessary debt incurred as part of the recovery. In this regard, I welcome the commitment to introduce a plastics tax and a carbon border adjustment mechanism. However, I voted against the Parliament’s report on the draft Council decision on the system of own resources as I believe that the Parliament’s amendments are too prescriptive and risk undermining Member States’ sovereignty. Moreover, Parliament’s proposal for a binding calendar for the introduction of a digital services tax and a common consolidated corporate tax base, among others, pre-empts the outcome of global discussions on these matters. If the EU were to introduce these taxes prior to a global consensus, the EU would risk putting itself at a competitive disadvantage. The EU should turn its focus to making efficiency gains by combating tax evasion, avoidance and fraud, and explore alternative potential sources of own resources under its existing remit.

2020/09/16

. ‒ The Just Transition Fund (JTF) is an integral part of how the European Union will support carbon-intensive regions transition towards a greener and more sustainable future. We strongly support measures contained in the JTF to fund enhanced training and education opportunities to support workers who may see their existing jobs being made redundant because of the move to a low or zero carbon future.In general, we believe that we must transition as quickly as possible to low carbon energy production as well as to a circular economy. However, different Member States are at different stages of the transition so may require investment in certain pieces of gas infrastructure to ensure energy security.We welcome the rigorous conditions this proposal applies to investments in gas infrastructure, that will require:• a reduction in carbon emissions;• that energy poverty is tackled, and:• that the development of renewable energy sources are not hamperedA one-size fits all approach may be appealing but it may not deliver the results that we all desire – a Europe no longer addicted to fossil fuels for its energy needs.

2020/09/16

The Fianna Fáil delegation strongly supported the final vote on rule of law breaches in Poland against the LGBTI community.Every European Union citizen has a right to be treated with dignity and respect. The Polish government, and a number of local authorities, have attempted to diminish the human and civil rights of LGBTI citizens through repressive laws and regulations.Membership of the European Union is contingent on accepting common values. The responsibilities are, in our delegation’s opinion, as important as the rights and benefits of membership.The EU is not the ATM of the Member States. It is more than a funding source; it is a union of values – freedom, equality, tolerance and a respect for the rule of law.We welcome the strong support across most political groups in the Parliament for this resolution, and call on the European Council to be more assertive with the Polish Government.

2020/09/17

I voted in favour of this pragmatic approach to the entry into force of the new Organics Regulation, moving it from 1/1/2021 to 1/1/2022. This additional time will allow farmers and processors in the organics sector the necessary time to adjust and plan for the new legislation and new requirements. Due to the impact of the COVID-19 crisis, the sector has reported that significant short-term adaptation has been undertaken in relation to the challenges facing production, marketing, securing market access, controls and international trade. In light of this situation, it is widely understood that the full and proper implementation and control of the new Regulation from 1st January 2021 would be an unsustainable burden on a sector already under pressure.Bord Bia research undertaken in 2017 shows that the Irish organic market is worth EUR162 million with a further EUR 44 million generated by direct sales. There is a growing trend across Ireland and Europe for organically produced products and I am pleased to support the proposal to postpone the implementation of the new legislation that will allow the sector the time to recover from the impact of the COVID crisis before applying the new legislative requirements.

2020/10/08

Strengthening and deepening Europe’s capital markets union (CMU) will be an essential element of the recovery of the EU’s economy. The first version of the Commission’s CMU Action Plan, in 2015, lost momentum and faced obstacles. This Parliament, and our co-legislator, must commit to approach the CMU Plan 2.0 with the ambition and effort it merits.At a time when interest rates are at a historical low, the CMU has the potential to provide our savers and pensioners with the ability to turn to the market to invest for a better return. When SMEs are refused traditional banking loans, they should be able to turn to a multitude of alternative sources of funding through the capital markets.I strongly support and am a strong advocate for many of the key aspects of this report and its overall message. However, unfortunately, I had to abstain as, yet again, this house included in the report an unnecessary call for the introduction of a CCCTB.

2020/10/08

The CAP is the European Union’s mechanism for ensuring food security, protecting farm incomes and developing rural communities.Farmers, as custodians of the land, will play a significant role in protecting the environment, enhancing biodiversity and promoting sustainable food production.Fianna Fáil votes on the CAP Strategic Plans sought to marry these two objectives. We voted for the greenest CAP plan in history; setting aside at least 30% of the Direct Payments budget for new eco—schemes to support farmers protect and enhance biodiversity on their lands. Earlier this month we voted for a 60% overall reduction in carbon emissions by 2030.We voted to align, where appropriate, CAP objectives with the Farm to Fork and Biodiversity Strategies, the Sustainable Development Goals, the European Green Deal and the Paris Agreement.We will further strengthen climate ambition through the myriad pieces of legislation expected via F2F and the Biodiversity Strategies.We voted not to send the CAP proposal back to the Commission as this would have delayed the Plan’s adoption that must be implemented from 1 Jan 2023. We supported sensible measures that gave flexibility to Member States to ensure that countries could shape their schemes based on local needs.

2020/10/23

Growth in the EU has been slowing or stagnant over the last few years. This has been exacerbated by the Covid-19 pandemic. Therefore, it is essential that the EU develops a new and ambitious industrial strategy to reinvigorate industry, to promote growth and investment, and to ensure that our industry is compatible with our carbon neutrality commitments, as well as being fit for a digital age. The pandemic highlighted that it could be prudent for the EU to develop its own capabilities and autonomy in certain sectors, whilst at the same time it underlined the interconnected nature of the world we live in and the importance of maintaining an open and outward-looking agenda.Unfortunately, I was not able to vote in favour of this report. Whilst I support the aforementioned objectives of a new industrial strategy, I also believe that it is crucial that the EU remains an open and competitive market which fosters the growth of our EU companies and industry, but does not unjustifiably favour them. Unfortunately, I feel that this report from the Parliament did not strike the sensitive balance needed.

2020/11/25

Improving aid effectiveness and efficiency is essential to ensure the implementation of the UN Sustainable Development Goals. Aid effectiveness is also more necessary than ever in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, which has increased the needs of many developing countries while also putting pressure on budgets for Overseas Development Assistance (ODA).However, our Delegation voted against this report because it includes two amendments that support migration conditionality. This would make receipt of development assistance conditional on third country cooperation with the EU’s migration policy.This is a principle that our Delegation, the Irish Government and the previous European Parliament, consistently opposed. Tying development assistance to migration risks making EU development assistance less effective, by seeking to advance political objectives, rather than helping those in greatest need. It also risks undermining the EU’s credibility as the world’s largest donor.By voting against this report, we have registered our strong opposition to migration conditionality and we will continue to do so in future debates. EU development assistance should be based on the principles of poverty eradication, reducing inequality and making sure that no one is left behind. This is the only way to make the Sustainable Development Goals a reality.

2020/11/25

Fianna Fáil MEPs took the position that the most suitable place to discuss potential treaty or institutional changes is at the Conference on the Future of Europe.While we supported the final vote on this report, we voted against a number of amendments that sought to pre-empt these discussions. The discussion on the future of Europe should have considerable input from the citizens of Europe.We urge European leaders to settle their differences and agree finally on the establishment of this important conference. Consideration should be given to the timing of the Conference having regard to the pandemic.Additionally, we are concerned about the Spitzenkandidaten process for electing the EU Commission President. The 2019 election demonstrated that, despite the best efforts of the European Parliament, the European Council is authorised by the Treaties to propose a candidate for Commission President and not the European political parties.Furthermore, we are very concerned about proposed European transnational list elections. Irish people value the direct connection to their public representatives made possible by our PR-STV system. We feel that list systems, whether national or transnational, ultimately increase the divide between citizens and decision makers and this is not healthy in a democracy.

2020/11/25

This report is an important exercise in taking stock of respect for fundamental rights, the rule of law and civil liberties in the EU, all of which are key priorities for the Fianna Fáil Delegation.We are extremely concerned at reports that the fundamental rights of migrants and asylum seekers have not been respected by some EU Member States. However, we did not support amendments 40 and 49, which referred to specific Member States, because the failure to manage migration in a safe and humane manner lies with the EU as a whole. Frontline countries have repeatedly asked for assistance to deal with large numbers of arrivals, but attempts to come to an agreement based on solidarity and shared responsibility have been blocked by some Member States in the Council.We welcome recent proposals from the Commission to reach a much-needed consensus on a new Pact for Migration and Asylum. All Member States must be prepared to accept their fair share of responsibilities and to ensure the adequate protection of arrivals, particularly of the most vulnerable.

2020/11/26

. ‒ I voted in favour of the report on ‘A new strategy for European SMEs’. Our SMEs and micro-enterprises comprise the majority of companies in Europe and therefore, have a key role to play in the recovery from the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and in reinvigorating the growth of the European economy.I was pleased that, through the amendment process at committee stage, my Renew Europe colleagues were able to significantly strengthen the draft text, insisting that SMEs be put at the centre of the EU’s recovery plans as well as at the heart of the Commission’s flagship policies: the green transition and the digital transition.However, as part of a pro-European political party, the Fianna Fáil delegation wishes to distinguish itself from the Group of the rapporteur. We would like to emphasise that our party’s engagement on this report, the rapporteur of which is from the ID Group, does not in any way link us to this political group and the Eurosceptic positions and values its members embody – all of which we staunchly oppose.

2020/12/16

We, as a society, face a period of considerable change as we transition to become greener and more digital. This need for change has been further compounded by the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.It is imperative that the transition is as socially just as it is economically. A strong social policy for Europe is essential to help deliver on the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead.It is for these reasons that I strongly supported the Report on ‘a strong social Europe for just transitions’.However, I voted against certain aspects of the text, including the call on the Commission and Member States to end direct payments under the CAP for farmers not complying with European and international labour laws and collective bargaining agreements. We must uphold the highest labour standards and protect the rights of our workforce, but the penalties for breaches must also be proportionate and allow for the situation to be remedied and improved.

2020/12/17

. – Fianna Fáil MEPs believe that access to clean water is a fundamental right. We chose to support many of the pro-public ownership amendments put before MEPs as part of this file. This is consistent with party policy in Ireland. From the opposition benches, Fianna Fáil ensured that the government formed in Ireland in 2016 ended water charges for ordinary households while still respecting the ‘polluter pays’ principle. Additionally, Fianna Fáil ensured that the State committed to funding the necessary investments in the water network, to ensure both the supply and cleanliness of water, through general taxation. However, water services remain a national competence, and while Ireland has chosen to follow a public-only model of water delivery, we believe that it is up to each individual Member State to decide, through their own democratic systems, what type of system to implement and how to fund it. Furthermore, we believe that the European Commission must do better at responding to European Citizens’ Initiatives when the threshold for action is met. If the process is to work, citizens must know that their campaigning will deliver the actions they require, and that the Commission will not pick and choose which parts to respond to.

2020/12/17

We welcome this important report, which calls on the EU to adopt mandatory due diligence legislation. This would be a crucial step for ensuring more sustainable and responsible business practices regarding protection for human rights and the environment, as well as ensuring access to justice for victims.At the same time, we want to ensure that future legislation is not overly burdensome for SMEs. We believe that this report strikes the right balance by advocating a proportional and risk-based approach, while also calling for appropriate technical and financial assistance for SMEs.We hope that the Commission’s upcoming legislative proposal will take forward many of the ideas put forward in this report and help the EU to lead the way towards more people- and planet-friendly business practices worldwide.

2021/03/10

The European Semester cycle is a crucial element in ensuring sound economic governance across all Member States. The importance is heightened this year by the economic crisis we face due to the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, in particular the employment and social dimensions.I am strongly supportive of the majority of elements of the ‘Report on the European Semester for economic policy coordination: Employment and Social Aspects in the Annual Sustainable Growth Strategy 2021’. Our 2021 economic policy needs to be coherent with our social and environmental goals if we want to ensure that the EU’s recovery from the pandemic is sustainable and leaves no one behind.Unfortunately, I had to abstain on the final vote on the report due to unnecessary calls for a common consolidated corporate tax base (CCCTB) and public country-by-country reporting (CbCR), to which I am fundamentally opposed. I regret that my colleagues repeatedly include such references in reports when these not relevant to the European Semester.

2021/03/11

We share concerns about the transfer of personal data to the US and strongly support efforts to protect the personal data of EU citizens and to provide legal certainty for businesses following the Schrems II case.However, we abstained on the final resolution because it paints an overly critical picture of the Irish Data Protection Commission (DPC). While it is accepted that improvements are needed, the resolution fails to recognise that the Irish DPC was the only national authority in the EU to act on the Schrems case. It also fails to recognise that shortcomings experienced by the Irish DPC are not unique and that many other national authorities are also experiencing difficulties associated with the bedding in of the GDPR. It is therefore unfair to single out the Irish DPC on this basis.We also strongly object to calls to pursue infringement proceedings against Ireland. Ireland continues to fulfil all of its obligations under the GDPR.

2021/05/20

We voted against the LIBE resolution, which opposes granting data adequacy to the UK in relation to the GDPR and the Law Enforcement Directive. The adoption of an adequacy decision with the UK is crucial not only for cross border businesses, but also for judicial cooperation on the island of Ireland and across the EU.While it is acknowledged that there are difficulties that have to be addressed, the Commission as Guardian of the Treaties has conducted a thorough assessment of data protection standards in the UK and concluded that adequate levels of data protection are ensured. The presence of a four-year sunset clause and provisions around monitoring, review and possible suspension also provide further safeguards for ensuring high standards of data protection are upheld by the UK.Failure to grant adequacy would be detrimental to citizens, businesses and administrative cooperation, particularly as the temporary solution that is currently in place will expire in June 2021.

2021/05/21

The Fianna Fáil delegation welcomes this excellent report drafted by our Renew Europe colleague, which underlines the invaluable role of the United Nations as an essential universal forum for international consensus building on peace and security, sustainable development and respect for human rights and international law.The EU is currently undergoing a process of internal reflection, led by the Conference on the Future of Europe. Among other things, this citizen-led process will consider issues such as the effectiveness of our Common Foreign Security Policy (CFSP).Whilst we believe there could be an argument for moving towards qualified majority voting in a certain limited set of circumstances in the area of CFSP, such as sanctions and human rights, we believe it would be premature to pre-empt the outcome of the Conference on the Future of Europe by already making recommendations towards the Council in this regard. The Fianna Fáil delegation therefore abstained on this particular section of the text.

2021/06/09

The COVID-19 pandemic continues to have a devastating impact on communities around the world, resulting in a staggering loss of life. Significant public and private investment has led to the development of multiple vaccines, which offer hope to many.However, the Fianna Fáil delegation remains deeply concerned about the inequitable distribution of vaccines globally, which in addition to the immediate risk to human life could also increase the likelihood of the emergence of new strains of the virus, contributing to further inequality in the medium to long-term and continuing this global tragedy.We believe the EU must continue to work closely with its international partners to accelerate the global vaccination programme. A range of measures will be necessary to achieve this overarching objective, including scaling up manufacturing capacity both domestically and abroad, encouraging our partners to remove export restrictions and increasing our support for COVAX.The Commission and the EU Member States should explore all options available to them. We believe they should therefore engage in constructive and text-based negotiations at the WTO on a temporary waiver of the TRIPS Agreement, and we supported amendments to this effect.

2021/06/09

We supported the reference in this report to the introduction of the right of direct legislative initiative for the European Parliament.This would be an important step towards strengthening the link between EU citizens represented by the European Parliament and EU legislation.However, we acknowledge that the Conference on the Future of Europe has been established as a forum for debating this and other issues that require a change to the Treaties. This will give EU citizens the opportunity to identify their priorities for reform.The EU and its Member States should firmly commit to implement the findings of this conference.

2021/06/24

This annual report on the protection of the EU’s financial interests includes a factual error. Paragraph 2 regrets that the Commission had to send a reasoned opinion to Ireland for failing to transpose the Directive on the Protection of the Union’s Financial Interests. However, it fails to acknowledge that Ireland has since transposed the Directive and it was signed into national law on 18 March 2021.It is important that the EU Member States and institutions have in place robust measures to prevent and combat fraud. States must be held to the same standards as we expect from our businesses and our citizens. For this reason, I nonetheless voted in favour of the report.

2021/07/06

Long-term care is a sector that is under great pressure across all Member States due to the ageing population and the creaking health systems. Therefore, it would be beneficial to have a Union-wide framework directive setting out fundamental principles of the long-term care sector. This would ensure equality across the EU and allow efficiencies of scale.At present, the European Union has little competence in the area of health, as was highlighted during the COVID-19 pandemic. The Conference on the Future of Europe is a prime opportunity to discuss extending the EU’s competences in this field whilst respecting the sovereignty of the Member States and the idiosyncrasies of their health systems and populations.

2021/07/07

On 15 June 2021, the Hungarian Parliament voted in favour of amendments proposed by Fidesz MPs that severely restrict freedom of speech and children’s rights. The Law prohibits the ‘portrayal and promotion of gender identity different from sex assigned at birth, the change of sex and homosexuality’ in schools, in television programmes and in publicly available advertisements on any platforms for persons aged under 18, even for educational purposes; the Law disqualifies such content from being considered as a public service announcement or social responsibility advertisement even if intended for adults; the Law introduces amendments to the Child Protection Act, the Family Protection Act, the Act on Business Advertising Activity, the Media Act and the Public Education Act.I consider this Law to be in breach of EU law and of the rights of LGBTIQ citizens in Hungary, in particular the freedom to provide services and freedom of movement of goods as set out in the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, the Audiovisual Media Services Directive and E-commerce Directive in conjunction with the Charter of Fundamental Rights. Therefore I voted in favour of the resolution ‘Breaches of EU law and of the rights of LGBTIQ citizens in Hungary as a result of the legal changes adopted in the Hungarian Parliament’.

2021/07/08

This report contained many commendable points, such as those condemning hybrid interference and money-laundering practices, as well as those criticising the spreading of disinformation and the practice of taking political prisoners. It spoke strongly on the importance of media pluralism and the need to fight gender-based violence, racism, xenophobia, hate crimes, police brutality and other forms of discrimination.Nevertheless, the report also called for Member States to ‘deliver on their commitments to collective defence made as members of NATO’, without recognising that some EU Member States are not members of NATO. Furthermore, there was no acknowledgement that such developments in the field of defence would require a referendum in Ireland, as the State is explicitly prohibited from adopting a common defence by the Irish Constitution.Finally, the report also called for the repeal of unanimity in foreign policy matters, which could undermine Ireland’s long-standing policy of military neutrality.The Fianna Fáil delegation agrees that the EU should reconsider its foreign policy, particularly in the context of the Conference on the Future of Europe. However, we believe that reforms should focus on strengthening the EU’s capacity in diplomacy, international development and peacekeeping, rather than in its military capabilities.

2021/09/15

The Fianna Fáil delegation strongly supported this resolution. The inclusion of gender-based violence (GBV) in the list of cross-border crimes under Article 83(1) of the TFEU provides a minimum legislative basis for tackling GBV across the EU.The Covid-19 pandemic increased instances of GBV in the EU by at least 30%; a purely regulatory approach would thus be insufficient. We therefore welcomed the proposal for a Commission directive aimed at longer-term, system-based prevention of GBV.However, we disagreed with two paragraphs (Recital N and Paragraph 49) which could be interpreted as prioritizing victims’ rights in determining custody rights following domestic violence. As per Article 24 of the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the EU, in all actions relating to children, the child’s best interests must be the primary consideration.Moreover, Article 9 of the Convention of the Rights of the Child states that separation between a child and parent may be justified only if it is specifically in the best interests of the child. The delegation therefore supported EPP amendments 2 and 9 which called for a child-centred approach in determining custody rights, while still respecting the rights of the victim, which we believe is more balanced.

2021/09/16

The Fianna Fáil delegation supported this resolution, which expresses Parliament’s deep concerns regarding the situation in Afghanistan. We entirely agree that this is, first and foremost, a humanitarian and human rights crisis in which the safety, security and rights of Afghans must be prioritised at all times.We also profoundly regret the dramatic backsliding on the rights of women and girls under the Taliban regime. Parliament – and the European Union more generally – should be clear that we will not accept anything less than equality.However, there are parts of the resolution we do not support. First, we do not agree that the developments in Afghanistan mean that the EU should build a ‘genuine European Defence Union’. Instead, the EU should focus on delivering humanitarian assistance to those who urgently need it.Secondly, we do not believe that foreign affairs issues should be decided by an extended use of qualified majority voting, as this could undermine the position of EU Member States who pursue neutrality policies or who are not members of NATO.Finally, we are unhappy that the NDICI-Global Europe instrument was referenced in a section concerning migration. We strongly oppose the diversion of development funds for the purposes of migration management, and believe that this reference here was inappropriate.

2021/09/16

. ‒ The Fianna Fáil delegation was satisfied to support this report on the role of development policy in the response to biodiversity loss in developing countries, in the context of the achievement of the 2030 Agenda. Biodiversity is at the heart of Agenda 2030: achieving each of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) either directly or indirectly depends on protecting biodiversity. This report calls upon the EU to step up its political and operational efforts to preventing biodiversity loss, inter alia, by mainstreaming biodiversity across the EU’s internal and external policies and prioritising biodiversity in development programming. In the run-up to COP15 and COP26, this report is timely and amplifies the European Parliament’s voice as a defender of the environment and sustainable development.The delegation decided to vote in favour of recital AF, which establishes a link between biodiversity loss and international trade. This is in line with the scientific finding that 30% of threats to species are driven by international trade, which is recalled in recital AE. It is important to insist, however, that the growth in international trade is also linked with the sharp decline in extreme poverty across the globe since 2000 and has accelerated progress on the SDGs by increasing the number and quality of jobs in developing countries. Furthermore, the EU’s trade policy is a key tool at the EU’s disposal for promoting biodiversity and sustainable development in third countries, especially in upper and middle-income countries where development cooperation does not take place. The Fianna Fáil delegation believes it is important to encourage an informed discussion on trade and biodiversity, and that it is our responsibility to communicate this complex debate to our constituents.

2021/10/05

The Fianna Fáil delegation was happy to vote in favour of the AFET report on the future of EU-US relations. This report underlines once again the significance of the transatlantic relationship, which over the past 70 years has contributed to Europe’s development, prosperity and successful integration, and has been the basis for its stability and security since the end of World War II. In a world of geopolitical instability, this partnership provides global leadership, built on common values including democracy, human rights, and the rule of law.We abstained from voting on language on a global minimum corporate tax rate as, at the time of this vote, the Irish government was in the process of considering a revised text from the OECD on this same issue. The Irish government has consistently said that it would support an agreement at OECD level, and we welcome the agreement that was reached on 8 October. Nevertheless, we would like to recall that the agreement that was reached in the context of the OECD refers to a global minimum corporate tax rate of 15%, and the language in the EU-US report, which refers to an agreement on a minimum global corporate tax rate of ‘at least 15%’, is therefore inaccurate and not something we support.

2021/10/06

As a party, Fianna Fail strongly condemns harmful tax practices. Yet again this week, journalists have exposed serious exploitation and abuse of our taxation systems by incredibly wealthy individuals and people in positions of power. They siphon money from national exchequers and hide it away to the detriment of our societies. This report issues a strong message from the European Parliament that these practices must be stopped. We must close the loopholes in our own systems, and we also need to exert pressure on other jurisdictions to do the same. There needs to be an international effort to increase transparency and improve communication and exchange of information.However, unfortunately, we had to abstain in the final vote on this report. As is repeatedly the case, the report was littered with unnecessary references to moving from unanimity to qualified majority voting on taxation matters and to the potential unilateral implementation of a minimum tax in the EU if no international agreement is reached at OECD level. We do not and cannot support these calls. We can combat harmful tax practices without threatening national competencies on taxation matters.

2021/10/07

The Fianna Fail delegation fully support this new and comprehensive approach to achieving more sustainability in the food chain in Europe. Food production in the EU is already setting a global standard for food that is safe, plentiful, nutritious and of high quality but increased action and ambition is needed to address the challenges of climate change and environmental and biodiversity degradation.We voted to support the strategy’s proposed transition towards more sustainable agriculture which will be economically viable for all farmers in the EU and will create new economic opportunities through uptake of new practices and innovations. We support the further development of initiatives and binding targets to improve sustainability along the entire food chain – from reducing harmful inputs and increasing biodiversity and climate protection in farming, working with food processing and retail to offer healthier food with a better environmental footprint, towards making food information more transparent to allow consumers to make more informed choices.

2021/10/19

. – Critical raw materials will play a key role in the EU’s green and digital transition. Our security of supply is therefore vital. The Fianna Fáil delegation voted in favour of this report, which recalls that this will be achieved through a combination of measures including maintaining strong relations with a diverse range of supplier countries, increasing the circular use of critical raw materials within the EU, and investing further in research and development to improve materials innovation.In addition, we supported some amendments that gave greater emphasis to the need for the sourcing of critical raw materials to be done in a sustainable manner. We also welcomed the Commission’s commitment to introduce a binding proposal on corporate due diligence, which we believe will go far in addressing abuses of human rights and breaches of social and environmental standards along the supply chain. Whilst these due diligence obligations should cover the length of supply chain, it is clear that there should be a greater degree of responsibility for the activities of subsidiaries by parents companies.

2021/11/24

. – Enhancing the quality of legal labour migration in the European Union is an essential means of addressing the transformation of the European political economy, boosting the EU’s post—pandemic recovery and strengthening the rights of those third—country nationals who are legally resident in the EU and currently make up some 5.1% of the total EU population. The Fianna Fáil delegation fully supported this legislative initiative report, which aims to facilitate the into- and intra—European mobility of labour migrants and enhance the safety net for, inter alia, low and medium skilled workers, the self—employed and seasonal workers.The delegation supported the text as it was tabled for vote at plenary. As such, we decided not to support AM 3 tabled by The Left relating to situation of domestic workers. Although the delegation fully agrees with the intention to improve the rights of domestic workers, such as the call for the Union and its Member States to ratify the International Labour Organisation’s Convention on Domestic Workers, we believed that this amendment was out of scope. An explicit aim of the rapporteur was to address labour migration in a non—sectorial manner, so as to achieve the best outcomes for all workers.

2021/11/25

The Fianna Fáil delegation was active and engaged throughout the drafting process of the report on the impact of national tax reforms on the EU economy. However, unfortunately we were unable to support the final report. We fundamentally disagree with the push from some within this house to introduce qualified majority voting on taxation matters thereby undermining the Treaty based principle that taxation is a Member State competence and should be subject to unanimity voting.We fully recognise the burdens that taxation procedures can have on small businesses and the need for greater transparency. In this regard, Ireland has often been at the forefront of introducing national taxation reforms to address these issues. However, the pursuit of reforms should never put into jeopardy the rights of the Member States to decide their own taxation policies and sources of revenue.

2022/02/15

The Beating Cancer Report, and the work of the Special Committee, is a watershed moment for cancer diagnosis, treatment and care in the European Union. It is the culmination of many months of work and deliberations bringing together some of the best scientists, medical professionals and public policy experts in the world to agree a common path forward.The Fianna Fáil delegation endorses the work of this Committee and supports the overall ambition of this report.We supported a number of amendments in relation to the issue of alcohol consumption. Our approach was to preserve the choice of adults but to make sure that everyone is well informed of the consequences of harmful levels of alcohol consumption and ensure that minors are protected. We, therefore, believe that an alcoholic drinks company should not sponsor any sport event targeting young people. We also believe that alcoholic products should carry clear health warning labels so consumers can make an informed decision. Finally, we also supported amendments emphasising that harmful alcoholic use can increase the risk of developing cancer.

2022/02/16

Whilst this report contains many positive elements, including strong language on the protection and promotion of human rights, the significance of European diplomacy, the value of multilateralism and the importance of international cooperation, the Fianna Fáil delegation decided to abstain on the final vote due to the inclusion of language on security and defence.Ireland is currently going through a process of reflection on how it engages with security and defence at a European level, as a non-aligned EU Member State that has traditionally pursued a policy of military neutrality.Last week, the Commission on the Defence Forces published a report, which proposes significant changes for the Irish Defence Forces and defence provision. The Irish Government has begun detailed consideration of the recommendations of this report, which will inform its future position. Furthermore, Irish and European citizens more generally have been asked to consider the issue in the context of the Conference on the Future of Europe.In light of these two ongoing processes, it would be inappropriate for us to pre-empt the debate that will take place in Ireland.

2022/02/16

Ireland is currently going through a process of reflection on how it engages with security and defence at a European level, as a non-aligned EU Member State that has traditionally pursued a policy of military neutrality.Last week, the Commission on the Defence Forces published a report, which proposes significant changes for the Irish Defence Forces and defence provision. The Irish Government has begun detailed consideration of the recommendations of this report, which will inform its future position. Furthermore, Irish and European citizens more generally have been asked to consider the issue in the context of the Conference on the Future of Europe.In light of these two ongoing processes, it would be inappropriate for us to pre-empt the debate that will take place in Ireland

2022/02/16

The Fianna Fáil delegation welcomes this report by Renew Europe colleague María Soraya Rodríguez Ramos, which insists that the EU place the protection and promotion of human rights at the core of its external action.However, we decided to vote against Paragraph 60, and two amendments tabled by the Left, which sought to condemn the practice of surrogacy.The decision to enter into a surrogacy arrangement is a deeply personal one, and certainly not one we would condemn. However, we do believe steps should be taken to regulate surrogacy, to prevent any possible commercial or exploitative practices and to ensure that the paramount concern is the welfare of the child.

2022/02/16

. ‒ Projects of Common Interests (PCI) are key cross border infrastructure projects that link the energy systems of EU countries. This plenary session, I voted in favour of the EU’s fifth PCI list. Listed projects can automatically benefit from several advantages, including an accelerated permit granting and improved regulatory treatment. The Celtic Interconnector continues to be one of the listed projects, which once complete will have the capacity to import or export 700 megawatts (MW) of electricity between France and Ireland: equivalent to supplying power to around 450,000 homes. I fully recognise such projects’ role in improving the security of energy supply, and in continuing to encourage investment in our energy infrastructure. It is crucial that we diversify our energy mix in a timely and concerted manner, especially as we witness energy costs rise to record levels both in Ireland and across Europe.

2022/03/09

The EU Citizenship Report is an important vessel for strengthening the rights and voices of citizens in the EU. The Fianna Fáil delegation gladly supported this report, which calls for the legal and practical obstacles citizens and long-term residents face in exercising their rights within the EU to be addressed. Such obstacles can hinder various aspects of EU citizenship, like free movement, the right to participate in European democratic life and the right to be protected from discrimination.The delegation chose not to support paragraph 12, which suggests that common rules be introduced for the granting of EU citizenship across the Member States. As it stands, EU citizenship emanates from the citizenship of a Member State. The criteria and procedure for becoming naturalised in each Member State varies considerably. Harmonisation could result in a ‘lowest common denominator’ approach, which could dilute the level of protection citizens receive in a given Member State. For this reason, the delegation is of the view that this is, and should remain, a national matter.

2022/03/09

The Fianna Fail party fully support of the impetus in the EU to introduce a fairer, simpler, and more transparent taxation system and we believe that we should harness this impetus.We welcome the historic agreement reached amongst the OECD member states last year. Whilst it was a difficult agreement to reach, it drags the tax framework into the modern age making it suitable for the digital companies of today, but ensuring that it is fair to both small and large member states.We also see great potential to improve other aspects of the taxation framework, including closing the EUR 134bn VAT gap, and reforming the withholding tax framework. Moreover, we need to reassess the taxation of energy t ensure that it gives the right incentives for the transition to greener energy, but whilst ensuring that all households can afford to heat and run their homes.However, I had to abstain on this report as, yet again, colleagues in the house have sought to undermine the Treaty provisions and sovereignty of Member States on tax matters by calling for the use of qualified majority voting. A fair taxation system means that it must be fair for all Member States.

2022/03/10

The Fianna Fáil delegation strongly supports the report on ‘The fight against oligarch structures, protection of EU funds from fraud and conflict of interest’. The problem of oligarch structures and how they have managed to permeate public funding frameworks has been rightly thrown into the limelight as a result of the sanctions imposed on Russia. However, fraud and corruption are longstanding issues and are found at the highest level of politics and business. Significant steps have been made to protect EU funds, but the battle is not over and we welcome any additional measures in this regard.However, as an Irish delegation, we regret the language calling for Ireland to join the European Public Prosecutor’s Office (EPPO). Ireland has a treaty opt-out on areas of freedom, security and justice and has chosen to apply this in relation to EPPO membership. Crucially, Ireland is one of the few common law jurisdictions in the EU, meaning that its criminal law principles differ from that of the civil law jurisdictions. Ireland’s Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions nonetheless works closely and cooperates with EPPO and its members.

2022/03/24

The Fianna Fáil delegation believes strongly in supporting Ukraine, both during the current war, and with its aftermath. We support the cancellation of Ukrainian debt in order to fund the reconstruction of the country’s infrastructure following the war, and further believe that reparations from Russia must be paid.Additionally, we believe it is essential to support European citizens who are feeling the brunt of the economic impact arising from the sanctions the EU has rightly placed on the Russian economy.These sanctions have interrupted the Single Market causing significant rises in the costs of everyday supplies to families and businesses. We have voted to support amendments that would allow Member States greater flexibility in terms of easing the burden of excessively high energy costs, intervening in the market to ensure that essential commodities do not become unaffordable to ordinary citizens and applying a windfall tax on excessive profits to fund mitigation actions.

2022/05/19

We support an ambitious ETS. That is why we supported the final vote on this file. We are disappointed that the right and the left-green blocs voted against the final report, which will result in delayed implementation of the ETS – a key vehicle for achieving the EU’s targets under the European Green Deal. Due to the nature of the EP, compromise is necessary. The Fianna Fáil MEPs fully supported the swift implementation of the ETS, and thus, the 2032 timeline for the phase out of free allocations was a fair compromise.On the issue of nuclear, we believe it should be left up to Member States to decide, and we believe that nuclear should be eligible for investment under this and other schemes.Ireland already has a progressive carbon market that will generate €9.5 billion, from a carbon tax, for investment by the Irish State between now and 2030 to support climate mitigation measures and measures to support those at risk of poverty. While we supported this file, we expect a derogation to be awarded to Ireland on the basis that the propose ETS (and Social Climate Fund) would represent a form of double taxation on Irish citizens.

2022/06/08

Fianna Fáil MEPs strongly support the idea of a Social Climate Fund as a means of demonstrating solidarity with citizens at risk of experiencing fuel poverty as a result of efforts to decarbonise the economy. It is essential that no one is left behind by the transition to clean, green sources of energy.While we supported the text of the report and will support its final adoption by the Parliament, we believe in, and expect, a derogation for Ireland from the European Commission in light of Ireland’s already-implemented carbon tax. The Irish carbon tax will fund over €9.5 billion in measures until 2030 to support climate change mitigation measures and measures to support those at risk of fuel poverty. To implement the SCF without a derogation would represent a double taxation on Irish citizens.

2022/06/08

The Fianna Fáil delegation supports a strong commitment to reduce the carbon emissions from our land and forestry use. It is essential that all sectors of the economy play their part in achieving our climate targets.However, we had significant concerns about the proposals that originated in the ENVI committee. The proposal to introduce an additional 50 million tonne target, which we voted against, separate to the Commission’s 310 million target, which we support, went too far. Ireland’s specific and unique challenges in terms of high levels of peat and wet lands would make sure a target unrealistic and unobtainable.We also supported an amendment that sought to introduce a great acceptance that flexibilities must be provided to Member States relative to their unique circumstances. While I welcomed the removal of the 50 million tonne additional target, I continue to have major concerns on this file, in particular the multiplication factor which I believed to be punitive an against the interests of my home Member State, Ireland.

2022/06/08

Direct taxation is and should remain a national competence. It is crucial that Member States maintain the ability to determine and fund their fiscal policies and that citizens can directly hold to account those who decide on these policies. This is why I consider it imperative to preserve the use of unanimity voting on direct tax matters. Therefore, with regret, the Fianna Fáil delegation abstained on the final vote.However, I am strongly of the view that the right to a veto must not be abused. Each of the Member States is Treaty-bound by the principle of sincere cooperation which is equally as sacrosanct as the veto itself. I deplore Hungary's misuse and exploitation of its right to veto. A momentous agreement was reached amongst 136 countries on the implementation of a minimum tax. This should now be implemented in good faith. Hungary's unwillingness to agree risks damaging the EU's reputation on the global stage, as well as providing ammunition to those advocating for a move away from unanimity. This cannot be tolerated.

2022/07/06

The Fianna Fáil delegation was strongly in favour of this report which outlines an ambitious new policy for the Mediterranean, grounded in shared social justice objectives and values. The delegation voted against two lines of recital (m), as we felt the framing of migration was overly negative.It is important that migration is managed, but that it is also seen as an opportunity rather than a threat to the stability or economic prosperity of countries of origin and transit. While brain drain is a concern, studies show that, in the short term, migration actually boosts the economic development of countries of origin.Moreover, the key to tackling any instability caused by flows of migrants in the neighbourhood lies in developing a truly comprehensive EU migration and asylum policy and effective, principled diplomacy with our partners. Framing migration as an intrinsic threat to stability would, therefore, not be constructive.

2022/09/14

Whilst the Fianna Fáil delegation supports many aspects of this report, notably ongoing support for Ukraine, language on the protection and promotion of human rights, the significance of European diplomacy, the value of multilateralism and the importance of international cooperation, it decided to abstain on the final vote due to the inclusion of certain language on security and defence as well as decision-making arrangements in foreign and security policy.The changing security and defence landscape in Europe and globally has caused Ireland to enter a process of reflection on how it engages with security and defence at a European level, as a non-aligned EU Member State that has traditionally pursued a policy of military neutrality. Last year saw the publication of the Report by the Commission on the Defence Forces, which proposes significant changes for the Irish Defence Forces and defence provision. In light of these ongoing processes, it would be inappropriate for us to pre-empt the debate that will take place in Ireland.

2023/01/18

The changing security and defence landscape in Europe and globally has caused Ireland to enter a process of reflection on how it engages with security and defence at a European level, as a non—aligned EU Member State that has traditionally pursued a policy of military neutrality. Last year saw the publication of the Report by the Commission on the Defence Forces, which proposes significant changes for the Irish Defence Forces and defence provision. In light of these ongoing processes, it would be inappropriate for us to pre-empt the debate that will take place in Ireland.

2023/01/18

The European Union took on considerable debt in order to invest in the recovery from the COVID pandemic. Further investment is necessary in order to stick to our climate commitments. Fianna Fáil recognises and fully supports the ability for the EU to have a direct source of sustainable revenue and considers it necessary to reduce the debt and fund the EU’s ambition. However, we had to vote against this report.Own resources for the EU cannot be introduced at the expense of EU competitiveness. Taxes, such as the minimum corporate tax rate or a digital tax, need to be introduced at a global level to ensure that the EU can compete on an equal basis.Moreover, national competences on taxation need to be respected. Ireland respects the enhanced cooperation procedure ongoing amongst 11 Member States to introduce an FTT amongst those countries. In return, we would expect the same level of respect for our decision not to introduce an EU wide FTT. Ireland already has a tax on financial transactions which takes the form of a tax on transfers of shares in Irish incorporated companies. We cannot support calls from the Parliament for the Commission to consider a Union-wide FTT.

2023/05/10

Tackling gender-based violence, sexual violence and human trafficking are critical steps in the fight for gender equality. Although the Fianna Fáil delegation agreed with the overall intentions of this report – to end violence against women – we felt that this must be done in a manner that does not shame individuals or impose one model over another.The conflation of sex work with human trafficking, and the use of the term ‘prostitution’, could have a stigmatising effect. In addition, the notion that consent is not possible in a sex work scenario undermines those individuals’ autonomy.More importantly, this report views the Nordic model – that is, the criminalisation of the purchase of sex – as a one-size-fits-all, although studies have shown that this approach has led to increased incidents of violence against sex workers, and exposes them to greater precariousness, including the risk of contracting HIV.In Ireland, we would urge for a conversation about what policy truly serves the best interests of sex workers.. Above all, we felt that this is not a matter that should be decided at European level, though we would support increased measures to combat human trafficking and GBV. For this reason, we voted against the final report.

2023/09/14

Fianna Fáil shares the European Parliament’s support for the Council position on the draft amending budget No 3/2023. We recognise the pressing challenges that the European Union is facing – supporting Ukraine in responding to Russia’s war of aggression and responding to climate change, amongst many others. We therefore support an ambitious approach to the EU’s budget and welcome the ability for the Union to raise its own resources as an alternative to raising Member States’ contributions.That being said, we abstained on this vote because we do not support the Commission’s proposal for a temporary own resource based on company profits. Corporate taxation is, and should remain, a national competence and national revenue. Moreover, the introduction of such an own resource pre-empts the discussion and agreement on the Commission’s proposal for a Council directive on Business in Europe: Framework for Income Taxation (BEFIT).

2023/10/18

The Fianna Fail MEPs consider this proposal on standards of key importance to improving air quality and protecting public health. The new regulation as proposed by the Commission intends to introduce more stringent limits for exhaust emissions (such as nitrogen oxides, particulate matter, carbon monoxide, and ammonia), and proposes to introduce new measures to reduce emissions from tyres and brakes, and increase battery durability.Unfortunately, the Parliament’s text undermines the ambition of the Commission’s original proposal in terms of limits and time frames for implementation. In this regard, and to communicate our disappointment with the lack of ambition and failure to bring forward clear and swift measures for reducing road transport derived air pollutants such as nitrous oxides and particulate matter, safeguarding public health and helping to meet our revised commitments, we abstained on the final vote.

2023/11/09

Fianna Fáil has always tried to make clear that we are supportive of the concept of own resources.Moreover, we were strong advocates for the introduction of Next Generation EU – a radical initiative to address the COVID-19 challenges – and we are acutely aware that these loans will become repayable as of 2028, as well as the fact that the borrowing costs have risen significantly due to interest rate hikes.Nonetheless, unfortunately, we were not able to vote in favour of this report as we cannot support the Commission’s amended proposal on the introduction of new own resources as drafted.Ireland has made huge strides and considerable effort in signing up to the OECD’s Pillar 1 and Pillar 2 agreement. We now stand ready to engage on its implementation and if a contribution should be made to the EU budget. Moreover, we await the Commission’s proposal on its Business in Europe: Framework for Income Taxation system.Therefore, we strongly oppose the proposal to introduce a temporary statistical own resource based on company profits. We consider this an attempt to introduce corporate taxation at EU level, pre-empting and ultimately undermining any discussion on BEFIT or the OECD agreement.

2023/11/09

Tax and other related measures proved to be useful tools in response to the COVID crisis and the energy crisis that ensued from Russia’s illegal war in Ukraine. For example, the so-called ‘energy windfall taxes’ and solidarity contributions helped protect consumers and support vulnerable households in coping with the exorbitant energy bills. Furthermore, some Member States, such as Ireland, have put in place measures to prevent the double taxation of Ukrainian refugees on income earned whilst outside of Ukraine.Fianna Fáil are supportive of such measures, provided that they are temporary and targeted in nature, and the revenue is used to address the crisis at hand.Unfortunately, we were not able to give our full support to this report and instead abstained. As is often the case with Parliament reports on tax measures, the scope was unnecessarily inflated to cover a much broader discussion on additional own resources and the direct contribution of corporate tax to EU own resources.

2023/12/12

Fianna Fáil welcomes the report on the implementation of the Geo-blocking Regulation, which has provided real and tangible benefits for European citizens since 2018. We are concerned, however, that some geo-blocking barriers remain which could prevent our companies and citizens from harnessing the full potential of the single market.We are therefore disappointed that the Commission has not yet presented the Parliament with the outcome of its stakeholder dialogue on possibly extending the scope of the Geo-blocking Regulation to audio-visual content.We firmly believe that the European cultural sector is one of our greatest assets, and one that should be enjoyed – and supported – in its entirety by citizens across the 27 EU Member States.Nevertheless, we would like to reiterate our position that any future proposal on extending the scope of the regulation can only be presented after a full and comprehensive assessment of the potential impact on the sector.We also believe that, if a review of the regulation were proposed on the basis of this assessment, changes would need to be introduced gradually, to give providers of audio-visual services the opportunity to adapt their business models.Strong safeguards would also be needed to guarantee the viability of small producers and audio-visual content in minority languages.

2023/12/13

72 Written explanations of Billy KELLEHER

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