Seán Kelly: Irish Presidency Must Prioritise EU Competitiveness
Seán Kelly addresses the Commission and outlines the priorities of the Irish Presidency, urging swift progress on competitiveness measures and several key legislative files. He highlights the Grids Package, Electrification Action Plan, Industrial Accelerator Act, the EU Competitiveness Fund, the Omnibuses and the need to finish the Savings and Investment Union and to end daylight savings.
Presidency priorities and purpose
Seán Kelly sets out the Competitiveness, Values and Security Team as central to the Irish Presidency's mandate and calls for rapid action on competitiveness. He urges completion or progression of key reports this term and stresses the practical need to finalise files that underpin research, innovation and industrial scale-up.
Key legislative files and next steps
Kelly lists the Grids Package, Electrification Action Plan, Industrial Accelerator Act and the EU Competitiveness Fund as immediate priorities. He also flags the Omnibuses, noting six are completed and expressing hope that another four can be finalised during the Presidency.
Savings and Investment Union, enlargement and industry
He underlines the importance of completing the Savings and Investment Union to support research, innovation, scaling and manufacturing in Europe. On enlargement he welcomes Montenegro's progress while insisting that accession must remain merit-based for all candidates.
Daylight savings and political support
Ending the twice-yearly clock change is raised as a clear public demand: Kelly cites that 85% of citizens oppose it and urges its abolition. He confirms that DPP will be fully behind the Presidency’s work as a partner in government and then passes the floor to Aidan O'Rourden.
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Thank you, Chair. Commissioner, good afternoon. Good afternoon to all of you. As you said, you are all very well and welcome to work. The Competitiveness, Values and Security Team of the Irish Presidency, I think most people can see that's good and it captures the essentials for this mandate. I think Mario Draghi outlined in 2024 the need for competitiveness. This is the fifth Presidency in this mandate and I think we have outlined and identified the key reports which need to be either finalised or progressed. Maroš Zetković referred to the Grids Package, I think we can finalise that hopefully, but also make rapid progress in the Electrification Action Plan, Industrial Accelerator Act, EU Competitiveness Fund. Also, in relation to the Omnibuses, these are integral to addressing competitiveness. Six are completed, I think we can hopefully complete another four, that would be massive. You spoke at length to us last night, the history of your work to try and complete the Savings and Investment Union. That's going to be absolutely vital if we are to research, innovate, scale up and manufacture in Europe. Your point about enlargement, particularly Montenegro being out in front, but also for the others, but it must be merit-based, is huge. And finally, a bugbear of my own, is try and end daylight savings, changing the clock twice a year, is nonsensical. 85% of citizens don't want it, so let's get rid of it. DPP will be fully behind you in your work because we are partners with you in government. Go raibh maith agat oibh leann. Thank you, I give the floor now to Aidan O'Rourden. Thank you.
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