Aodhán Ó Ríordáin, MEP, challenges the European Commission to turn the new EU anti-poverty strategy into binding action, urging immediate measures to protect evicted families and hungry children. He calls for a minimum income directive, a Europe-wide ban on no-fault evictions and a €20 billion fund to tackle child poverty ahead of the Irish presidency.
Key demands: Aodhán Ó Ríordáin welcomes the Commission's first EU anti-poverty strategy but warns that words are not enough. He sets out three concrete requirements: a directive on minimum income, a binding EU-wide ban on no-fault evictions, and €20 billion dedicated to child poverty.
Context and evidence: Ó Ríordáin highlights that Ireland has recorded its highest number of evictions since the famine, with 7,000 people affected. He contrasts the Commission's emphasis on simplification, competitiveness and security for markets with the lived insecurity of millions of Europeans who lack a roof or a decent wage.
Why this matters: The speech frames poverty as a political choice rather than individual failure. Ó Ríordáin argues that a Union capable of prioritising markets must now move mountains for people, and that the Irish presidency should make anti-poverty measures a priority.
Consequences and next steps: The MEP presses the Commissioner and EU institutions to match rhetoric with binding legislation and funding. If adopted, the proposed measures would reshape EU social policy, protect households from eviction and target investment to reduce child poverty.
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Poverty is the most profound, grinding insecurity anyone can face. Yet the only security we deal with urgency is at our borders. The only competitiveness we care about is market share. The only simplification we deliver is for business. Millions of Europeans compete for survival, for a simple roof over their head, for a fair wage for their child's next meal. Commissioner, we welcome this first EU anti-poverty strategy. But a union that can move mountains for markets must now move them for people. Too often, for those who need it most, we describe and we delay. Ireland just recorded its highest number of evictions since the famine. The 7,000 people affected do not need another strategy, they need protection. Hungry children do not need another framework, they need investment. Words must be matched by concrete actions. A directive on minimum income, a binding EU-wide ban on no-fault evictions, and €20 billion for child poverty. The Irish presidency must make this a priority, and I know you will too, Commissioner. The Commission buzzwords of simplification, competitiveness and security are meaningless if your children are cold, homeless or hungry. Poverty is not chosen by those who suffer it. Poverty is a political choice. Poverty must be despised and ended. It is that simple.
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