Maria Walsh
Member of the European Parliament · PPE · IE
“Mr President, there is one topic that is rarely discussed in this House – a natural resource that remains underused despite its clear economic and environmental value. And that is wool. Legal barriers to handling, marketing and exporting wool are preventing farmers from using it effectively or restoring its value.”
“Commissioner, while not in your direct wheelhouse, I ask your support in removing regulatory barriers within the outdated animal by-product rules so farmers – particularly our sheep farmers – can access practical, workable solutions. In Ireland and across Europe, we understand the value of what we produce and this has to be reflected.”
“Madam President, every day, like you, I read another story of a child harmed by the online world – another statistic, another life changed. And when children are on platforms they are not supposed to be on, harm only increases.”
“That shows progress. It shows accountability can work. But one country acting alone is simply not enough. We need EU-wide legislation that holds both perpetrators and platforms accountable, real enforcement, clear rules and real consequences. We need to do this for the mother called Jackie Fox.”
“Mr President, Commissioner, colleagues, 92. That was the number of times it is estimated that Gisèle Pelicot was raped over the course of a decade. 1 000 is the number of users in a private Telegram group dedicated to sharing advice on how to drug and rape their partners.”
“We all know only yes means yes. Anything else is not consent. Defining rape and EU law on the basis of consent is long overdue. We now have a chance to correct the gap that was not delivered on the Directive of violence against women because of Member States. We now have an act to finish it. 1-0131-0000”
The complete record
Every one of 78 lines we hold for Maria Walsh, in date order, each linked to its source. Free to read, in full, without an account. Page 2 of 2.
“The protests led by the Hungarian people was a clear signal that any form of rollbacks on the rule of law cannot and will not happen in the EU. Yesterday, with the release of the 2025 Rule of Law Report, the Commission said that protecting the rule of law remains a top priority for the current College of Commissioners. At the same time, Commissioner McGrath openly acknowledged that the dialogue with Hungary is failing. In light of this, I strongly urge the Commission to move beyond the words and take decisive action based on the evidence already in hand. It's like this: it's absolutely not acceptable for any pro‑EU political group or individual in this Parliament to sit back while these principles are undermined. Rule of law, equality and the freedom of expression are absolutely non‑negotiable. 3-0199-0000”
“Madam President, colleagues, on 28 June, the streets of Budapest were alive with defiance. Budapest Pride was a protest, but it was not only the LGBTQ+ community that took a stand. Thousands of individuals came together with unwavering support to oppose the relentless erosion of the rule of law in Hungary. The message that rang loud from Budapest is that our leaders, this Parliament and our Commission need to step up. The time to monitor, to review is well and truly over, and we are three years on since the Commission referred Hungary to the Court of Justice. And nothing has changed. Nothing. The protection of rule of law cannot be put on hold while the judicial system and the process takes its course. It's simply too slow.”
“But what happens when we begin to ignore our LGBTI brothers and sisters, when we look away, hoping not to cause trouble? We lose something essential. We lose the very values – the very values – that define us. And that is, ladies and gentlemen, however you identify, our European values. The Commission and Council leaders cannot delay any further in holding this government to account for its blatant violations of rule of law and fundamental rights. I am really proud to say I will be travelling to Budapest Pride to stand proudly with our rainbow communities and allies – because, ladies and gentlemen, in the face of oppression, there is absolutely no space for silence. 3-0221-0000”
“Madam President, Commissioner, colleagues, in March, the Hungarian Government banned the freedom of assembly – we've heard this again and again today. It is one of the most important, core values of our democracy, a right that allows us to gather together for common purpose, including peaceful protests and demonstrations. This ban is one of the many cracks in the foundations of fundamental rights and the rule of law in today's Hungary. This ban has direct consequences for our LGBTI+ community and it's so blatantly clear that it bans Pride. But these attacks on the rainbow community in Hungary are not new, and not only happening in this one Eastern Bloc country. A narrative is brewing that speaking out about minority rights only gives Orbán and other authoritarian regimes power.”
“Let me be very clear: the EU's current inaction does not reflect my views, nor does it reflect the views of the many of my constituents I represent, or my country. We demand peace. We demand an immediate end to the killing, and we demand that the EU take serious action. 2-0564-0000”
“Mr President, colleagues, High Representative, earlier this month, a report from within an EU institution was published online which clearly spelled out Israel's unequivocal and brutal war crimes in Gaza. A report from inside our own European Union documented Israel's deliberate use of starvation as a weapon of warfare. This is a report that was compiled in November 2024, and since then, while thousands more innocent people have been killed, Israel has continued to enjoy the privileges of free trade from the European Union. How many times have MEPs stood in this very Chamber and demanded a review of the EU-Israel agreement, pleaded for its suspension, begged for action that actually means something?”
“And we must invest in our community dialogue and integration. Ireland and Europe must show that diversity is a strength, not a threat. 1-0213-0000”
“Mr President, recent riots on the island of Ireland, which began in the town of Ballymena in County Antrim, have morphed from concern about a tragic sexual assault allegation into xenophobic violence against migrant families. As Amnesty Northern Ireland Director Patrick Corrigan said, we are just one petrol bomb away from racially motivated murder. Families have been forced from their homes as groups hurled bricks, petrol bombs and fireworks, leaving innocent children vulnerable and traumatised. This is not a protest for justice; it's racism cloaked in outrage. Sadly, inflammatory political rhetoric has added fuel to the fire. Some politicians have deliberately fanned the flames of hatred and, by linking migration to crime, they've pitted neighbour against neighbour. We must stand with victims and prosecute hate-fuelled crimes swiftly.”
“The Parliament visit was built on years of local advocacy and resulted in clear, practical recommendations: first being faster access to a scheme that is fit for purpose, less red tape, stronger support for families, including mental health services, and accountability, with assurances that this would never happen again. We must properly enforce rules on construction materials and hold those to account and prevent this from ever happening again. We must ensure colleagues in the Irish Government and this Parliament deliver on those recommendations to strengthen the protections for everyone's future. 2-0065-0000”
“Mr President, I speak today on behalf of the communities in Donegal and Mayo – places where families are living in homes that are literally falling apart around them. These houses were built with defective concrete blocks containing too much mica and pyrite, causing serious structural damage, emotional and financial strain for many, many people. In 2023, I joined colleagues from the Petitions Committee on its fact-finding mission to Donegal, a powerful moment that helped bring much-needed European attention to this crisis.”
“However, while we may hope for such courage, we cannot be complacent or naive. I'm calling on the Commission and our Member States to act with urgency and seek the answers from the US on the policy over the coming days and weeks. 2-0085-0000”
“Mr President, the audiovisual industry is worth over EUR 1 billion to Ireland's economy. From actor Rob Lowe to Variety magazine, the world recognises our island as a global production powerhouse. Trump's latest threat to slap a 100 % tariff on foreign movies could wipe out our film industry in an instant. Over 16 000 jobs, many in rural Ireland, hang in the balance. A far cry from Hollywood's drama, the livelihoods of many of my constituents are in doubt as we sit here and debate this morning. Unsurprisingly, this latest policy seems unworkable; given the international and entwined web of investors, labour and revenue, how can one even define a foreign film in this day and age? As time has taught us, there is always scope for a rollback from the Trump administration.”
“We need to find teeth, now more than ever, to actually pin these people to a collar, because ultimately we're turning into the United States of America right now. Equality is non-negotiable and the visibility of any community should not be a crime. EU fundamental rights are not à la carte – as much as some might believe. And we need to find teeth now, Commissioner, more than ever. 3-0337-0000”
“Madam President, Commissioner, I was delighted in your statement where you said you're going to pay personal attention, because as I sit here in this Chamber again for the second mandate, I'm listening to these speeches and I cannot help but feel grossly concerned about the direction of travel. Hungary's recently passed legislation is yet another attack on the LGBTI+ community, but this action expands beyond Hungary. It's about the message it sends to every gay or queer kid in Europe, wondering if we are moving forward on their behalf or slipping backwards. We cannot turn a blind eye – yet again – to the blatant attack on the rights of our community in Hungary or elsewhere. We need to take urgent action and that is done through conditionality.”
“To put in terms familiar to President Trump, for the next 48 hours, workers and businesses on both sides of the Atlantic will be watching closely, focused on the real art of the deal. Ultimately, we must ensure that through strong actions and careful words, trade remains a bridge, not a battleground. 1-0246-0000”
“Madam President, as we sit here in Parliament tonight, thousands of workers in the pharmaceutical and medtech sectors, many in the west of Ireland, are sitting at home facing 48 hours of deep uncertainty. Ireland is arguably the single most exposed EU Member State to a transatlantic trade war. In 2023 alone, we exported around 36 billion worth of pharmaceuticals and chemicals to the United States, while the jobs of 50 000 Irish workers are dependent on the sector. However, it is for the sake of the European economy as a whole that our attention must be on reaching a negotiated agreement with the US. A trade war is not a fait accompli. The EU successfully avoided tariffs in 2018. We must do the same again this year.”
“It's a matter of food security – you mentioned that – and the survival of our sector across the EU. And with all eyes being on how we're going to fund everything that's in this vision, Commissioner, I'm asking you in your strategy that you will put forward, that you think of the young men and women, which I know you do, but it's incredibly important that we have those practical steps in place so that they can develop a stronger food security for us all. 4-0069-0000 Vystúpenia na základe prihlásenia sa o slovo zdvihnutím ruky 4-0070-0000”
“Mr President, the Commissioner mentioned two words: stability and predictability. Commissioner, if you ask young men and women in Ireland right now whether they would consider going into farming, sadly most would say 'no'. You heard this no doubt, when you visited Ireland in January, because land is expensive, credit is hard to get, succession is complex to navigate and incomes and markets are volatile. We all know this. But what is incredibly important now is what we go forth with. We cannot ignore the fact that only 7 % of our farmers are under 35, and they need that stability and predictability, now more than ever. We need to make agriculture, the whole sector, more attractive and support young people in a practical manner now. Not later on, but now.”
“This much needed and timely EU parenthood regulation provides that clarity and consistency in helping families navigate the legal systems that have now, up to this point, been fragmented. This is not just a legal case. It's a human issue. No matter where you live in Europe, your rights as a parent must be respected. I want to pay particular attention to the regulation, which will ease burdens on folks like me who may decide one day to have children. As an LGBTI individual and ally, I should, too, face the same rights as everyone in this House and, most importantly, everybody we represent in this House. We cannot afford to let prejudice stand in the way of progress. Europe must treat all families equally, and we must have a Commission and a Council that fight to do that. 3-0349-0000”
“Madam President, these debates always make me incredibly disappointed in our democratic policies and belief systems. We represent millions of Europeans – LGBTI and other, all – and it saddens me that in this House, that is built on bringing people together, that we forget that in many, many of our speeches. Let me bring it back to why we're discussing this very important parenthood regulation. An estimated 2 million children currently face difficulties in having their parents recognised in another Member State – 2 million children. Not children of gay people or straight people. Just children across our EU right now have difficulties in their parents being recognised by the 27 Member States.”
“Yet, at the current pace of progress, gender equality will only be achieved by 2158. Yet I ask, what are we doing in here for the 229 million citizens that elected us and expect us to do better? 2-0235-0000”
“Mr President, according to the European Commission, there's 229 million women living in the EU, 5 % more than men. Again, I point out – just ironic – about 5 % of elected officials here sit in this House to debate such an important issue, ignoring the 229 million people that elected us to be here. I certainly welcome the roadmap, but let's be very clear to all EU citizens on the realities facing women in today's world. 87 000 women across the world will die because they're women. Over the course of a decade, that's the city of Amsterdam. 96 % of AI‑generated content known as deepfakes are pornographic in nature, sexualised content targeting women and young girls. We know this from reports that 99 % of them are indeed women and young girls. The foundation of gender equality is built on the rights to live free from all injustices.”
“And how do we ensure that farmers on both sides of the Atlantic meet the same environmental and quality standards? We must negotiate safeguards to ensure that Irish and European farming remains competitive, resilient and fair. The farmers deserve it. 4-0110-0000”
“Mr President, Commissioner, farmers in Ireland are extremely worried about the prospect of additional tonnes of meat produced at lower costs and poorer environmental standards entering our EU, in direct competition with local meat produced to the highest of European standards – standards we set here for them. As an island nation, Irish farmers know more than most how important trade is, especially in the current political landscape, and there can be no support without concrete answers to the questions below. How do we protect the interests of our farmers and rural communities, and ensure that farmers actually benefit from this trade deal? How do we guarantee that there is no unfair competition, and that our farmers are not left behind in the global market?”
“And I think of the parents, the guardians and teachers who are trying to help out and give the necessary resources without the training supports that they need the most. And this is where we step in. This is where Member States need to be able to see and understand how to tackle the growing crisis that is impacting their communities, and it's vital this direction comes at EU level to protect future generations from this crisis. It has to come from here. It has to be funded by the MFF. We have to see an EU mental health strategy and a European Year to go with it and ultimately not see statistics again and again and again telling us our young people are dying by suicide. 3-0541-0000”
“Mr President, the mental health crisis among young people in Ireland and across the EU demands urgent attention, and it'd be remiss of me not to acknowledge the fact that lesson what 2 % or 3 % representation of this Parliament sits in the Chamber tonight to discuss such an important issue, that is, the second leading cause of death for our young people: death by suicide. And yet, Commissioner, we have an empty Chamber. That's not on you – that's on us. And it's certainly disrespectful to the young people and their families who are losing their lives on a daily basis, because we don't get things right in this House. In rural Ireland, for example, services are often distant or unavailable, and young people may not know where to turn to.”
“Rebuilding homes, schools and hospitals must require not just money, but strategic vision. The EU, US and UK must lead in investing in the long-term recovery of Gaza's devastated infrastructure. I'm immensely proud of the Irish people's unwavering support for a ceasefire. Even when our critics were loud and harsh, Ireland has stood firm and I have every confidence that we will continue to fight for peace. But this burden can no longer rest on a handful of nations – all 27 Member States must step forward with real and meaningful actions, not just words. The promise of peace is tangible for Israelis and Palestinians alike, but let us not mistake this moment as an end. This is only the beginning of the work we must all do collectively. (The speaker declined to take a blue-card question from Lynn Boylan) 1-0094-0000”
“Mr President, what lies before us now is a fragile promise of peace. The ceasefire, while essential, is only the first step, and our focus must now shift to two key issues: accountability and the long road to rebuilding Gaza. A ceasefire does not erase the wrongs of yesterday, and peace will not take root without justice. As the violence ends, we hope, we must ensure that accountability is brought to the fore. Accountability is the foundation on which a lasting peace will be built, ensuring stability in the Middle East in the challenging years ahead, along with justice for the many thousands and thousands of victims. I welcome the Commission's announcement last week of a new aid package for Gaza. But let us be very clear – this is just the beginning.”