Rose Conway-Walsh: EU Presidency must deliver for whole island
Rose Conway-Walsh addressed Comhairle on Ireland's EU Presidency, urging an all-Ireland approach and strict scrutiny of costs and priorities. She warned against deregulation, called for protecting rights, and highlighted gaps in defence preparedness.
Rose Conway-Walsh said the EU Presidency is a significant opportunity that must not be missed, but it must serve the whole island. She stressed the government must ensure every euro spent delivers lasting value for Ireland and for Europe, given the substantial cost to the taxpayer.
Conway-Walsh argued restoring Europe's competitiveness is central, but simplification must not become deregulation. She criticised light-touch regulation that has costly consequences and urged policies that support enterprise while protecting workers' rights, consumer rights, environmental rights and human rights.
Highlighting Ireland's military neutrality, she warned neutrality cannot mean vulnerability. Conway-Walsh said Defence Forces have been neglected for decades, leaving basic capabilities lacking and relying on others to fill critical gaps in skies and seas.
She welcomed the presence of First Minister Michelle O'Neill and called for an all-Ireland approach to the Presidency's agenda. The address frames the Presidency as both an opportunity for leadership and a test of government priorities on regulation, public spending and national security.
Presidency responsibilities and value
Rose Conway-Walsh said the EU Presidency is a significant opportunity that must not be missed, but it must serve the whole island. She stressed the government must ensure every euro spent delivers lasting value for Ireland and for Europe, given the substantial cost to the taxpayer.
Competitiveness, regulation and rights
Conway-Walsh argued restoring Europe's competitiveness is central, but simplification must not become deregulation. She criticised light-touch regulation that has costly consequences and urged policies that support enterprise while protecting workers' rights, consumer rights, environmental rights and human rights.
Neutrality and defence preparedness
Highlighting Ireland's military neutrality, she warned neutrality cannot mean vulnerability. Conway-Walsh said Defence Forces have been neglected for decades, leaving basic capabilities lacking and relying on others to fill critical gaps in skies and seas.
Political context and appeal
She welcomed the presence of First Minister Michelle O'Neill and called for an all-Ireland approach to the Presidency's agenda. The address frames the Presidency as both an opportunity for leadership and a test of government priorities on regulation, public spending and national security.
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Transcript
Thank you Comhairle, Ireland's EU Presidency is a significant and important opportunity for this country that mustn't be missed, but it has to be for the whole of the island and I was really glad to see our First Minister Michelle O'Neill there today because we cannot talk about any of the issues that we are going to talk about during the EU Presidency without having an all-Ireland approach. It is a chance to demonstrate leadership to advance Ireland's interests, to address the democratic deficit within the EU and to help shape Europe's future at a very pivotal moment. While we must make the most of this opportunity, it does come with a huge responsibility and the Presidency carries a substantial cost to the taxpayer and the government must ensure that every euro spent delivers lasting value for Ireland and for Europe. One of the Presidency's central priorities must be restoring Europe's competitiveness, but European businesses and innovators continue to face the unnecessary red tape, duplicity and bureaucracy, but simplification must not mean deregulation. I know you said that in your speech Minister, but that must absolutely be meant. We do not want deregulation. We are paying the price in this country for deregulation. Almost £9 billion alone for the defective concrete blocks, light regulation. We need a Europe that supports enterprise, that encourages innovation and allows businesses to compete globally, but we must protect workers' rights, consumer rights, environmental rights and human rights. This Presidency has also shone a spotlight on Ireland's own preparedness in an increasingly certain world. While Ireland remains military neutral, neutrality cannot mean vulnerability and for decades you will know that the Defence Forces have been neglected. Despite years of warnings and ample time to prepare, we still lack the basic capability to protect our own skies and seas against modern threats and we are, unfortunately, relying on others to fill the gaps.