Dublin, 8 September 2022 : 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 European Union (SOTEU) debate in the European Parliament by Commission President Ursula von der Leyen on 14 September 2022.
MEPs and key Irish stakeholders contributed to the online discussion including Frances Fitzgerald MEP; Billy Kelleher MEP; Adam Lambe, National Youth Council Ireland; Neil McDonnell, ISME; Dominic MacSorley, Concern Worldwide; Patricia King, ICTU and Danny McCoy, Ibec.
Commenting on the upcoming State of the European Union address and debate, Frances Fitzgerald MEP for Dublin and Vice Chair of the EPP Group said: “This year’s State of the European Union comes at a pivotal moment for the EU given the war in Ukraine, unprecedented energy supply challenges and the current cost of living crisis. I expect President von der Leyen to set out an ambitious work programme from the Commission that will focus on the needs of citizens, a plan to protect and promote the EU economy all the while accelerating climate action and social reform. The SOTEU will also serve as a platform to reaffirm the EU’s steadfast support for the people of Ukraine both from an economic and defensive perspective. Furthermore, given the fragile geopolitical situation globally at present, it is essential that the European Union continues to assert itself on the international stage by promoting our core values of democracy, human rights and the rule of law.”
Commenting on the upcoming State of the Union address and debate, Billy Kelleher MEP for Ireland South said: “The EU is facing into a period of both challenges and opportunities. We must end our dependence on Russian gas and embrace the opportunity to build a truly integrated, and innovative renewable energy sector. The people of Europe have rightly opened their homes to Ukrainians fleeing the war that we should all be proud of. We must ensure that all refugees fleeing war and oppression are treated in a fair and humane way. Structurally, the EU must deliver on the promise of a Capital Markets Union, and in particular a banking union to ensure that citizens in Ireland are no longer penalised by Ireland’s small, closed banking sector.”
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 Ryan Levis, European Movement Ireland, ryan@europeanmovement.ie or Jack Moloney, European Parliament Liaison Office in Ireland, jack.moloney@europarl.europa.eu to arrange.
Notes:
- 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.
- About European Movement Ireland: Founded in 1954, European Movement (EM) Ireland is the longest established Irish NGO working on European affairs. An independent, not-for-profit, membership organisation, EM Ireland works to develop the connection between Ireland and the European Union. We facilitate links between all sectors of Irish society and the EU, through advocacy campaigns, education programmes, training courses, information briefings and networking events.