[ParlTrack]

. – I voted for the amendment protecting passengers’ rights because the purpose of the original regulation was to provide certainty to passengers in the event of cancellation. I fully acknowledge that it is not practical for all reimbursements to take place in the time frame provided by the Regulation and the Directive, however I supported the amendment on the understanding that an urgent procedure can be fast tracked to provide flexibility for companies so that, under certain conditions, vouchers in respect of later travel can be provided in circumstances where that is not the first choice of the passenger.

2020/04/17

. – I voted against this legislative proposals 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.

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 the introduction of 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, it would risk putting itself at a competitive disadvantage.The EU should turns 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 is 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

. – The original text of the Implementation of the common commercial policy – annual report 2018 was balanced and fair. A stocktaking exercise, it looked back and outlined the events of 2018 in this policy area. However, once amended, I was no longer able to support this report. First, the amendments defeated the overall objective of the report, which was to look backwards rather than forwards. In doing so, these amendments reduced the ability of the Parliament to assess past developments and therefore pursue sound policies moving forwards. Secondly, I strongly believe that trade is a powerful tool the EU can use to promote its values far beyond its external borders, including our ambitious agenda on environmental protection, climate change and labour rights. For example, in his hearing in the Committee on International Trade of the European Parliament, Commissioner-designate Dombrovskis underlined that the Commission will be seeking pre-ratification commitments from our MERCOSUR partners that translate into tangible action on the ground before the EU-MERCOSUR Agreement can proceed in its ratification process. The amendments instead proposed reducing the EU’s leverage vis-a-vis our trading partners. As a result, I was forced to abstain.

2020/10/07

. – 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

. – Ireland joined Permanent Structured Cooperation (PESCO) in 2017 as a way of ensuring more efficient use of its defence expenditure by reducing duplication, over-capacity and uncoordinated procurement. PESCO also provides the opportunity to enhance the safety of Ireland’s Defence Forces through deeper coordination with our European partners in areas such as training, equipment and information-sharing. Participation in PESCO is entirely voluntary and each PESCO project is created on an opt-in or opt-out basis. Ireland’s sovereignty and Ireland’s neutrality is therefore unaffected – we are a peace-making and peacekeeping nation and that will not change. Ireland is not a member of NATO, therefore I voted against language in this report calling for EU and NATO priorities to be harmonised in order to achieve EU capability targets. I also voted against increasing the EU’s budgetary ambition for the strengthening of defence capabilities. PESCO is not – and should not be considered – a pathway to a ‘European Army’ and I believe my voting record clearly reflects this position.

2020/10/20

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 in protecting and enhancing 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 beyond 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

The CAP Horizontal Regulation contains the most significant change in the CAP Reform, namely the move to the performance-driven implementation model to incentivise and deliver on the increased environmental and biodiversity ambition of the Green Deal, as well as the underlying economic and social objectives of the CAP.As Fianna Fail MEPs, we fully support the move from a ‘one-size-fits-all’ prescriptive and burdensome approach to a results and performance-based approach, flexible for Member States to design the national strategic plans which best meet the needs, objectives and specificities of Irish farmers and rural communities. We fully support the content of the report in relation to strengthening the governance systems of Member States, streamlining the performance framework and ensuring transparency in relation to the beneficiaries of the funds.Unfortunately, as proposals for a ‘hybrid’ compliance/performance model – a model that will be burdensome for farmers and Member States – were adopted, we voted to abstain on the final vote.This hybrid model will result in an increased administrative burden at farm level and does not offer the best tool for realising the increased environmental ambition of the CAP and the demands of farmers for a simplified and responsive policy.

2020/10/23

. – The purpose of the SEIP is to contribute to financing a sustainable transition to a greener economy, while supporting the regions and communities most exposed to its impact. I strongly support this initiative, and believe that a proper financing plan is essential to move the European Green Deal from being an aspiration to a reality. I supported amendments to this report that make it even stronger on environmental issues, including insisting that only projects that are compatible with the EU’s climate objectives are eligible for InvestEU funding, and that all EU—supported investments be subject to the EU Taxonomy Regulation. Overall, this is an ambitious plan for delivering on the goals of the Green Deal. However, also included in this report is a call for the Commission to make use of Article 116 of the Treaty on the European Union to avoid tax distortions in the single market. This is unnecessary in the context of this report. I also believe that this is fundamentally at odds with promoting European competitiveness and that taxation is, and should remain, a Member State competence. Therefore, while I support most of the content of this plan, I abstained on the final vote.

2020/11/13

. – 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. 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 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, whose rapporteur is from the ID Group, does not in any way link us to this political group and the Eurosceptic positions and values they 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 seek, and that the Commission will not pick and choose which parts to respond to.

2020/12/17

I voted in favour of the ‘More fish in the seas?’ report, as I recognise that the EU must step up its efforts to preserve our seas and marine environments and replenish fish stocks by taking a sustainable approach to fishing. The measures under the common fisheries policy (CFP) are beginning to have a positive impact, but more must be done to address threats to our marine environment and fish stocks – threats that are exacerbated by climate change.However, I voted against AM1 and AM2 as I felt that such a dramatic change in animal welfare rules pertaining to invertebrates and fish required a very detailed impact assessment. These changes would alter the way both commercial and recreational fishing were carried out in Europe and so require detailed debate and consultation with stakeholders. This, I believe, should take place as part of a future review of the CFP and not as part of this stand-alone file.Additionally, I could not vote for the amendment that sets aside 10% of waters as ‘no catch’ zones. This would have a detrimental impact on fishing communities, especially in Ireland, who are already feeling the effects of cuts in quotas arising from the UK leaving the EU.

2021/01/21

We welcome this important report, which calls on the EU to adopt mandatory due diligence legislation. This would be a crucial step towards 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 opposed. I regret that my colleagues repeatedly include such references in reports when these are irrelevant.

2021/03/11

. ‒ Ireland pursues a policy of military neutrality, which goes hand in hand with our tradition of international peacekeeping and humanitarian assistance. Opt-outs from the Lisbon Treaty on the common security and defence policy (CSDP) protect this position.The Fianna Fáil delegation voted against this report as it expressed the ambition to move towards a European defence union. We believe this would be incompatible with our commitment to military neutrality and Article 29 of the Irish constitution.However, a vote against a European defence union should not be considered a blanket vote against the CSDP. Irish defence forces participate in various EU-led peacekeeping operations around the world and our experts are also seconded to EU civilian missions. This involvement allows us to contribute to the strengthening of international peace and security, protect human rights and fundamental freedoms, and support conditions for sustainable development, while respecting our position of military neutrality.

2021/03/25

We welcome this report, which sets out the European Parliament’s ambitions for a new partnership of equals with Africa, based on shared commitments to sustainable growth and human development, green and digital transitions that are fair and inclusive, better access to healthcare, education and gender equality.Relations with Africa must remain a central priority of the EU’s foreign policy, particularly as we face up to the shared challenge of recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic.While we supported the final report and agree that more resources should be mobilised for the EU’s development cooperation budget, we do not agree with references to the introduction of a financial transaction tax. We regret the unnecessary inclusion of this reference in an otherwise excellent report.

2021/03/25

The General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) has placed the EU at the forefront of international discussions concerning data protection. Its adoption has allowed the EU to become a global leader in the protection of personal data. We recognise its importance and underline that its correct implementation is key to ensuring that the regulation delivers for citizens and businesses. It is also important that these high standards are maintained across the EU.However, we abstained on the final resolution because of specific criticism of the Irish Data Protection Commission (DPC). The presence of many multinational companies in Ireland places significant responsibilities on the office of the DPC. While we recognise the challenges facing the DPC, the fact that that the responsible Committee in the European Parliament passed the resolution without affording the DPC the opportunity to a fair hearing falls short of expected standards of due process.

2021/03/25

Irish Defence Forces participate in various UN and EU-led peacekeeping operations around the world. This allows us to contribute to the strengthening of international peace and security, protect human rights and fundamental freedoms, and support conditions for sustainable development, while respecting our position of military neutrality.The European Defence Fund, established in the context of the multi-annual financial framework, will improve the capacity of the European Union and its Member States to contribute to international peace and security by supporting research and innovation in the defence sector.Support for this fund in no way undermines Ireland’s commitment to military neutrality. We support the triple lock mechanism of requiring a UN Security Council resolution, a vote by the Government and a vote by the Dáil before Óglaigh na hÉireann can partake in missions overseas.The Fianna Fáil delegation therefore voted against an amendment to reject the agreement reached on the European Defence Fund. We also abstained on all other amendments, as a vote in favour of them would result in lengthy delays in establishing this fund.

2021/04/29

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 does not fully reflect recent developments in Ireland. 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 put in place robust measures to prevent and combat fraud. States must be held to the same standards that we expect from our businesses and our citizens. For this reason, I nonetheless voted in favour of the report, despite its omissions.

2021/07/06

Ireland is not a member of NATO; however, we cooperate with NATO in a variety of areas including peace-support operations. Irish cooperation with NATO is fully in line with our longstanding policy of military neutrality, which permits the deployment of Irish Defence Forces for peacekeeping and crisis management operations only where there is a UN mandate, a government decision and parliamentary approval.The Fianna Fáil delegation voted in favour of this report, which acknowledges and welcomes the contribution non-NATO EU Member States make towards global peace and security. The report also makes explicit reference to neutrality policies, which EU-NATO cooperation must respect, and notes that the EU can only advance towards a European Defence Union ‘should the European Council, acting unanimously, so decide’. This means that Ireland would have to agree to any developments in this regard, thus safeguarding our position. It should also be borne in mind that a Common Defence is specifically prohibited in the Irish Constitution. Finally, the report suggests that the EU’s Common Foreign and Security Policy should be discussed in the upcoming Conference on the Future of Europe.

2021/07/07

Long-term care is a sector that is under great pressure across all Member States due to the ageing population and weakened healthcare 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 contribute to greater equality across the EU and allow for 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 differences in national healthcare systems.

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. That 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 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 prevent 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

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

The Pandora Papers leak has shed another spotlight on the systematic nature of global tax avoidance and evasion. Money is being siphoned from our systems, at a time when the economy and public resources are under incredible stress, to line the pockets of a select few.It is deeply regrettable that the burden has again been placed on journalists to reveal the true extent of the problem. We really commend the journalists involved for their perseverance, determination and journalistic skills. However, now we policymakers and legislators need to take the burden on ourselves and work with our global partners to close the loopholes in our framework that are being exploited.

2021/10/21

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 parent 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 the 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

ANIT is a committee of inquiry that was set up to examine the protection of animals during transport. During its investigations, it found that there have been systemic failures to enforce the existing rules on the protection of animals during transport. This report makes recommendations for the revision and better implementation of existing rules, with the overarching aim of boosting animal welfare.I felt it was important to support amendments 1, 2, 3, 4 which account for the specificities of rural farming communities across the EU whose geographical constraints demand some flexibility with regard to journey times. Amendments 2 and 4 double the existing age limit below which unweaned animals cannot be transported, whereas amendments 3 and 4 ensure that gestating animals remain in their natural habitat for as long as possible. While I agree with the intention underlying amendments 10 and 11, geographical realities have to be taken into account, particularly those of the island of Ireland. Eliminating long-haul journeys for animals and reforming our consumption patterns should be our long-term objectives, but this must be achieved while preventing a sudden disruption to existing supply-chains which would have socio-economic costs.The SDGs require us to tackle climate change and improve our relationship with the natural world, while ensuring that ‘no one is left behind’ in this process. I am confident that the resulting text is balanced and proportionate: it will bring about dramatic improvements in animal welfare while ensuring the livelihoods of farming and rural communities are not imperilled.

2022/01/20

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

. ‒ The 66th Conference on the Status of Women takes place in March 2022 and will place a special emphasis on achieving gender equality in the context of climate change through environmental and disaster risk reduction policies. This resolution attempts to provide input to the EU’s priorities, ahead of the upcoming conference. The Fianna Fáil delegation supported this resolution in full, which puts forward several necessary actions to make the EU’s efforts on gender equality and climate action fully coherent and synergistic, while taking an intersectional perspective.The Fianna Fáil delegation chose to support Amendments 1 and 2, tabled by The Left. These amendments stress the need for gender parity in politics and decision-making in order to properly address the disproportionate impact of climate change on women and girls. Amendment 2 calls for greater efforts to achieve gender parity, in particular through electoral lists. The Fianna Fáil delegation does not support electoral lists and believes they are not suited for the Irish context. The delegation nonetheless chose to support the amendment as it emphasises the need for greater gender balance in the European Parliament in order to lead by example.

2022/02/17

. ‒ 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.

2022/03/10

The Fianna Fail party fully supports 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 to 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 war in Ukraine has had a serious impact on Ukrainian agricultural production. Of immediate concern is the humanitarian need to secure food supply for the people in Ukraine. In broader terms, Ukraine is a key player on the global food markets and many developing countries are reliant on Ukrainian wheat for bread production. According to the UN World Food Programme, this could lead to a very grave hunger crisis in developing countries within the year. The Fianna Fáil delegation gives their strong support to this joint motion, which highlights the urgent need for action to ensure food security in Ukraine and in developing countries.Furthermore, as Europe is heavily reliant on imports for animal feed, the Fianna Fáil delegation supports the calls to grant short-term flexibilities for farmers in order address the challenges in terms of feed inputs this year. We would stress that the Green Deal objectives should not be undermined due to the need for urgent measures in light of the crisis in the food supply chains. In addition, common agricultural policy tools should be activated to address instability in the markets and support farmers in the short to medium term and to ensure that European citizens continue to have access to high quality and affordable food.

2022/03/24

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 has specific and unique challenges in terms of high levels of peat and wet lands. Burning peat releases high amounts of greenhouse gas emissions, and in order for Ireland to meet its climate targets, this must no longer take place. Whereas most land captures carbon, these so-called drained organic soils are inherent emitters of greenhouse gases, prior to cultivation or burning. This means that a removal target of 360 Mt of CO2 would be unrealistic adapted to the Irish context.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.

2022/06/08

Fianna Fáil MEPs supported the compromise text, agreed between the three largest parliamentary groups, on this file. We believe that now the citizens have spoken, by way of the Conference on the Future of Europe, the European institutions should facilitate a Convention.We are not opposed to treaty change, and on certain issues such as moving to QMV on sanctions, we think it is necessary. We also fully believe that the existing powers as agreed under the Lisbon Treaty should be utilised fully before additional competencies are transferred to the European institutions.Our party rejects accusations that transferring competencies to the Union diminishes Member States. On the contrary, sharing sovereignly with others is the one of the best examples of national sovereignty. We will support the right of the people of Ireland to make their decision known on future treaty changes by way of a national referendum. As we have done consistently, we have voted for a Single Seat for the European Parliament to reduce carbon emissions and reduce costs.

2022/06/09

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 Fianna Fáil delegation is firmly of the view that tighter rules are required to maintain the integrity of the EU institutions, particularly in light of the Qatargate scandal. Our delegation voted to establish an independent EU Ethics Body with powers of oversight and sanction over staff in all EU institutions. With regard to the European Parliament, Fianna Fáil voted in favour of a mandatory registration of all scheduled meetings, except where the life and integrity of individuals may be at risk; a declaration of assets at the beginning and end of Members’ mandates; and a prevention on MEPs from doing side-jobs for entities covered by the Transparency Register, to prevent genuine conflicts of interest. We also voted in favour of a ‘cooling off period’ of six months for MEPs after their mandate, ensuring a balanced approach towards preventing revolving doors.

2023/02/16

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

The Fianna Fáil delegation strongly supports this legislation, which is essential in a context of widespread disinformation, discrediting of media and persecution of journalists. Our democracy depends on journalistic integrity – upholding this must be a priority. For this reason, we voted to prohibit public authorities from using spyware against journalists, with no exceptions. We believe that there should be an absolute ban on spyware across the European Union. Accessing encrypted data of journalists as part of criminal investigations should be a last resort.We also voted in favour of deleting Article 17, relating to the role of Very Large Online Platforms. We felt the proposals in this act watered down the legal obligations of VLOPs regarding content moderation under the Digital Services Act. It also gave disproportionate media privileges, such as self-declaration, which could be abused by nefarious actors posing as media service providers to spread harmful content. We voted in favour of increased competition among recommender system providers and empowering users to apply various filters to the content they are shown. Finally, we supported giving the European Commission the power to launch a probe into media mergers, to prevent market concentration and promote media pluralism.

2023/10/03

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 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 Fáil 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 this report, which has provided very real and tangible benefits for European citizens since its entry into force in 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 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 great 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

74 Written explanations of Barry ANDREWS

ParlTrack - 2011-2024