Deputy Mary Lou McDonald-- speech from 9 May 2023

We mark the 73rd anniversary of the signing of the historic Schumann Declaration at a time of great challenge for Europe and for the world. The last three years have tested the resilience, togetherness and solidarity of the peoples of Europe in very profound ways. A perfect storm of crises came in the shape of a global pandemic, a soaring cost of living and energy crunch, a very real and immediate climate emergency and the return of war in Europe. It is our shared values of unity, peace, social solidarity and justice that can provide us with the strength to face these challenges with determination and with the ambition to seek a better future for all. Ireland is an ancient and proud European nation. This year we mark 50 years since we joined what was then the European Economic Community. And in those 50 years, Ireland has journeyed from one of the poorest countries in Europe to one of transformational economic development. We have seen a significant strengthening in living standards and the advancement of social rights of citizens. However, let's be clear, there is still much work to be done to overcome the persistent scourge of poverty and disadvantage, to realise Ireland's full potential, to match the ambitions and aspirations of workers and families and to build opportunity for everyone. So we need to be very forthright about the real, valid points of concern because too often the direction of travel has pointed towards militarisation, deregulation, privatisation and a reflexive lurch to austerity in times of economic crisis. These are all choices that have at times left ordinary people alienated and very disconnected from the European project. However, as people now rally to the flag of progressive politics, meaningful change is possible. Europe of empowered citizens is possible. The opportunities of change for Ireland are immense. Ireland can be a European leader of peace, of prosperity and hope. We can lead the transition to a greener, cleaner future. Through harnessing our abundance of wind and renewable resources, Ireland can achieve energy independence and create the clean jobs of the future. We can become an international hub for clean energy and help decarbonise the economies of Europe. We can protect our children's futures and protect our environment through ambitious and fair change. There is no limit to what the peoples of Europe can achieve if we do it together as a community of nations. As the European values of solidarity, partnership and cooperation again come to the fore in a volatile world, I believe there now exists an opportunity to build a truly social Europe. A Europe where workers, where families and community are at the very heart of our shared future. We have a chance to reimagine and reshape the European endeavour as a beacon to the world of human rights, equality and economic justice. That is how we would enhance the democratic legitimacy of the European Union and build a future in which every citizen has a stake. It is this togetherness that sees Europe standing strong with the people of Ukraine as they fight for their freedom, the freedom of their beloved homeland against Russia's criminal invasion. There can be no victory for Putin's military aggression against Ukrainian sovereignty. So he must immediately withdraw his army and end this war. The journey to a lasting peace must begin now, underpinned by the values of democracy, integrity and the rule of international law. With our unwavering support, Ukraine will win the day of liberation, I believe. A future of peace and a future of prosperity as a member of the European Union, if that is the will of its people. In the stand against military belligerence and for the rule of international law, there can be no double standards. Europe must be to the fore in confronting Israel's apartheid against the Palestinian people. Europe can no longer stand idly by as Palestinian lands are forcefully annexed and illegally settled. As Palestinian homes are demolished, as the schools of Palestinian children are bulldozed to dust. Together, we must work for an end to this brutal occupation and for a just and lasting peace in the Middle East. In an increasingly complex world, Ireland remains a strong and leading European voice for peace. And we have achieved this powerful position, not by way of military might, but through our respected, long-held tradition of neutrality and through our unequivocal moral principle and stand. That is at the core of Ireland's influence across the world. And those who do not recognise that make a very, very grave error. Indeed, sustained efforts by governments to undermine and erode our military neutrality are wrong. Europe is made stronger through the involvement of military neutrals and non-aligns. Our connection is deepened by differing perspectives. So, rather than retreating into the quicksand of default militarisation, the government must lead the call for recognition of military neutrals and non-aligned countries within the European treaties, within the basic law of our union. And, of course, this must also happen within the Irish constitution, too. Because Europe is at its very best when it is on the side of peace and conflict resolution. And we in Ireland know that better than most as we celebrate the 25th anniversary of the Good Friday Agreement. The agreement is an international blueprint for peacemaking and can rightly be cited as a standout success of Ireland's membership of the EU. But today, we are challenged with impasse. A year on from the Assembly election, we need a functioning government. We need the north-south bodies up and running. And we need the east-west relationship back on a sustainable footing. The negotiations between the EU Commission and the British Government is over. And it is now time to move forward. So, the DUP is at a moment of decision. And I really hope that the DUP chooses partnership. I hope the DUP chooses progress. Because together, we can again make power sharing work for everyone. Brexit threatened disaster for Ireland. As the people of the north were dragged out of the EU against their democratically expressed wishes. Brexit highlighted the failure of partition in a very sharp way. It demonstrated how the century-long division of Ireland has held back the realisation of our full potential. And I believe that our future must see the whole of Ireland back within the European Union. We have built the peace. And now it is time for this generation to write the next chapter. The reunification of our country. Seismic generational change is already underway in Ireland. And we must now plan for peaceful, orderly and democratic constitutional change. So, we must make the preparation for referendums on Irish unity. And I again, once again, call on government to establish a citizens' assembly to discuss and plan for reunification. This would be a forum for the most important conversation of our time. And I include in this our unionist citizens. Those who are British in a partitioned Ireland. Those who will remain British in a united Ireland. Ireland, united as a nation and a people, will be transformational for our country. But also, I believe, present a catalyst for positive, progressive reimagining of Europe's future. Thank you. than aintas Europeuk, era aintashe kintasid in Europe ho seilta in a wil tuus oitse ag ibraitha, tsaoli agus pobol. Coherlach, a new generation now bravely and boldly reaches for a new Ireland in a changed Europe, a new, modern, engaged Ireland shaped by the positive current of change sweeping across our country, shaped by opportunity and by the ambitions of workers and families, shaped by the power and aspiration of our young people in particular. So this is a moment to redefine our journey as a nation. Our united future is not only to be part of the European Union but to be at the forefront of the European project, driving change and improvement that benefits progress, prosperity and the uplift of every single ordinary yet extraordinary European citizen. Thank you.