Billy Kelleher: EU must get real on budget, defence, values
MEP Billy Kelleher addressed the Taoiseach on the incoming EU presidency, urging realism on the budget, defence and core values. He called on member states, including Ireland, to be willing to shift red lines to fund a progressive and secure Union and warned against letting autocrats hold the EU to ransom.
Key message: Kelleher told the Taoiseach that the presidency arrives at a pivotal moment for the European Union. He argued that the Union must decide whether to move to the next level of development and that achieving this will require political compromise and honest discussion about funding.
Budget and funding: The MEP stressed the need to "get real" about the EU budget, saying member states must recognise the level of funding required to sustain a dynamic, progressive and ambitious Union. He urged openness about financial commitments if the EU is to deliver measurable improvements in citizens' lives.
Security and defence: Kelleher warned of mounting threats and insisted the EU must invest in its defences. He framed defence spending as a necessary, practical step to protect European stability and sovereignty.
Values and leadership: On values, he issued a stark warning that Europe must not again allow a "tin-pot autocrat" to hold the Union to ransom. He closed by offering his full support and that of the Renew Europe family to the Taoiseach as he begins the presidency, urging cooperation and realism.
Key message: Kelleher told the Taoiseach that the presidency arrives at a pivotal moment for the European Union. He argued that the Union must decide whether to move to the next level of development and that achieving this will require political compromise and honest discussion about funding.
Budget and funding: The MEP stressed the need to "get real" about the EU budget, saying member states must recognise the level of funding required to sustain a dynamic, progressive and ambitious Union. He urged openness about financial commitments if the EU is to deliver measurable improvements in citizens' lives.
Security and defence: Kelleher warned of mounting threats and insisted the EU must invest in its defences. He framed defence spending as a necessary, practical step to protect European stability and sovereignty.
Values and leadership: On values, he issued a stark warning that Europe must not again allow a "tin-pot autocrat" to hold the Union to ransom. He closed by offering his full support and that of the Renew Europe family to the Taoiseach as he begins the presidency, urging cooperation and realism.
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Transcript
Go raibh maith agus uachtaráim at sóle, ar son mé fféin agus iar an uí n-áil, croim fáilte ribh am taoiseach. Mar a sóle do cháic, is cáire personta é am taoiseach, táimíod i gáirde le biognach daithid blíon. Guím gach rá ort a taoiseach, agus tú ag tusnú ar u dúchtoráinach. Tá dúist lán mhúir a róit féin, agus ribh or naontas. Ach táim cinnta go bhfuil an t-a-thí agus na sgiline agus i da tharú, agus go n-áirí an bór leat a thíseach. Thíseach, your presidency comes at a pivotal moment for the European Union. All of us must decide if we want to take our Union to the next level of development. To do so will require all of us, including our country, Ireland, to make some of our red lines a little less red. The EU is in perfect compromise, but nothing to date has come close to it being as successful in improving the lives of our citizens. We must get real when it comes to the budget, and that means being honest about the level of funding needed to sustain a dynamic, progressive and ambitious Union. We must get real about the threats facing us and invest in our defences. And finally, we must get real about our values, and never again can we let a tin-pot autocrat hold our Union to ransom. Thíseach, I know you care passionately about the European Union, and I firmly believe that you will be the right person at the right time to meet these challenges head on. You have my full support, and that support of the Renew Europe family in the European Parliament. Ná daoineamhid darúd, ní nart go cáir le céile. Thank you very much.