Dublin, Wednesday, 8 September 2021: The European Parliament Liaison Office in Ireland, European Movement Ireland and the European Commission Representation in Ireland held an online roundtable discussion this morning ahead of the upcoming State of the Union debate in the European Parliament, to be opened by Commission President Ursula von der Leyen on 15 September 2021.
MEPs and key Irish stakeholders contributed to the online discussion including Deirdre Clune MEP, EPP, Ireland South; Ciarán Cuffe MEP, Greens, Dublin; Danny McCoy, CEO of IBEC; Deirdre Garvey, CEO, The Wheel; Patricia King, General Secretary of ICTU; Stephen O’Shea, Deputy CEO of EM Ireland and Emmy Coffey Nguyen, Alternate National Citizens’ Representative for the Conference on the Future of Europe. The discussion was moderated by Emmett Ryan, Connected Editor of the Business Post.
Commenting on the upcoming State of the Union address and debate, Ciarán Cuffe MEP said, “The European Union’s recovery from the COVID pandemic must show leadership to the world on the climate crisis. In addition, the EU must be a beacon for democracy within Europe, and in the developing world. We have had dire warnings from the IPCC about climate change. We have to act fast to avoid catastrophe. There is an opportunity with the recently announced ‘Fit for 55’ package to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 55% by 2030 and hit carbon neutrality by 2050. President von der Leyen has an opportunity with her SOTEU speech to get the detail right and show leadership on the road to the COP26 climate summit in Glasgow this November. The EU must ensure a just transition for workers in phasing out fossil fuels, tackling energy poverty and ensuring the biggest polluters pay for their environmental damage. Fit for 55 will help us deliver on the European Green Deal, and reach our climate targets and create new jobs. We must also ensure that recent events in Afghanistan are used to boost aid for health and education in the developing world, rather than diverted to increased military expenditure.”
Speaking about Europe’s future, Stephen O’Shea, CEO of European Movement Ireland said, “As we hopefully emerge from the worst of the pandemic and look to the future, the Conference on the Future of Europe is the opportunity to shape what the EU might look like in the years ahead. People across Ireland and Europe are committing their time and ideas to this process and they must be listened to. We hope to see a commitment to acting on the proposals that emerge from the Conference and championing its potential. We must also defend the values central to the EU throughout its history and need to see a stronger resolve on the rule of law. The actions of some Member States have gone too far. The challenges to EU law and democratic backsliding cannot continue.”
Emmy Coffey Nguyen, Alternate National Citizens’ Representative for the Conference on the Future of Europe said, “I feel privileged to be part of this year’s discussion in anticipation of President von der Leyen’s State of the Union address. In my capacity as Ireland’s Alternate National Citizen Representative, I would like to address the immediate and ambitious action needed to respond to the Climate Emergency, in addition to sustainability practices across industries in the EU notwithstanding, of course, the cost of living and the challenges of affordable housing affecting Irish citizens today. I hope that my role can help amplify those voices of all Irish citizens, particularly young people, to bring about more fruitful debate and more importantly, positive results for all EU citizens.”
The roundtable discussion can be watched back here and more information about the State of the Union address and debate can be found here.
ENDS
Press Queries:
Speakers are available for comment. Contact Lisa Nic an Bhreithimh, European Movement Ireland 087 9503539 / lisa@europeanmovement.ie or Jack Moloney, European Parliament Liaison Office in Ireland, jack.moloney@europarl.europa.eu to arrange.
Notes:
- Tá cainteoirí Gaeilge ar fáil le hagallaimh a dhéanamh;
- About the European Parliament Liaison Office (EPLO): The European Parliament Liaison Office in Ireland provides information on the European Parliament’s role and powers, on the Irish MEPs and their activities, and on issues currently being considered by Parliament which are of particular significance for Ireland and for Europe as a whole.European Parliament Liaison Office: https://www.facebook.com/EPinIreland/ |https://twitter.com/EPinIreland | https://www.instagram.com/ep_ireland/
- About the European Commission Representation in Ireland: The Representation is the local office of the European Commission in Ireland, based in Dublin. Its role is to explain how EU policies affect people in Ireland, be a source of EU-related information for government and other authorities and stakeholders in Ireland, offer press & media services in Ireland, speak for the European Commission as its voice in Ireland and report back to the Commission in Brussels on important political, economic and social developments in Ireland.