Nina Carberry
Member of the European Parliament · PPE · IE
“Madam President, Commissioner, the common fisheries policy has failed to deliver, and while there is no silver bullet, CFP reform must address the following. One, levelling the playing field post-Brexit. Two, protecting the Hague preferences. It cannot continue to become an annual bargaining chip.”
“Madam President, Taoiseach, Ireland's EU Presidency will not be judged in this debating Chamber. It will not be judged in negotiating rooms in Brussels, Strasbourg or Dublin, nor will it happen in weeks or months after it comes to an end. But it will happen around kitchen tables. It will happen at farmyard gates and in school classrooms.”
“Go raibh maith agat, a Uachtaráin. 'Ní neart go cur le chéile.' Ní mór don phrionsabal sin Uachtaránacht na hÉireann ar an Aontas Eorpach a threorú. Tá deis ag Éirinn an t-iomaíochas agus an trádáil a neartú.”
“Madam President, Commissioner, this plan will be judged by one test. Will it lower fertiliser costs and secure availability for farmers? The geopolitical crisis in the Middle East has put our gas and fertiliser dependence into the spotlight once again.”
“Mr President, High Representative, in a time of geopolitical instability, rising humanitarian crisis and growing pressure on aid budgets, defending multilateralism has never been more urgent. Seventy years ago, Ireland joined the UN, an institution at the heart of our foreign policy and our commitment to peace and international law.”
“In that spirit, I welcome this Parliament's call to ring‑fence at least EUR 25 billion for humanitarian aid in the next seven‑year EU budget, and that should include dedicated funding for the UN.”
The complete record
Every one of 129 lines we hold for Nina Carberry, in date order, each linked to its source. Free to read, in full, without an account. Page 1 of 3.
“Madam President, Commissioner, the common fisheries policy has failed to deliver, and while there is no silver bullet, CFP reform must address the following. One, levelling the playing field post-Brexit. Two, protecting the Hague preferences. It cannot continue to become an annual bargaining chip. Three, the EU budget: while we in Parliament have restored Commission cuts, we need to deliver as part of an overall package, including small-scale fishers. Finally, overfishing: Norway, the Faroe Islands, Iceland, setting unilateral quotas and getting away with it. The EU must better leverage its own influence in international negotiations. Yes, we want sustainable fisheries, but let me be clear, Commissioner. There are two components to that concept: 'sustainable' and 'fisheries'. The Commission cannot keep forgetting about the latter.”
“This presidency will not be judged by promises made. It will be judged by promises delivered. And we in this Parliament stand ready to work with you to achieve this. 2-0132-0000”
“Madam President, Taoiseach, Ireland's EU Presidency will not be judged in this debating Chamber. It will not be judged in negotiating rooms in Brussels, Strasbourg or Dublin, nor will it happen in weeks or months after it comes to an end. But it will happen around kitchen tables. It will happen at farmyard gates and in school classrooms. In the decades ahead, for me, there are two fences we must clear. First, farming – Europe needs a ring‑fenced common agricultural policy. It needs young farmers to see a future. It needs a pathway for retiring farmers. And it needs less red tape. Second, our children – childhood can no longer be outsourced to big tech. We need to see a ban on addictive algorithms. We need real age verification on social media. And we must pursue those who allow abusers and predators to hide behind an anonymity.”
“Go raibh maith agat, a Uachtaráin. 'Ní neart go cur le chéile.' Ní mór don phrionsabal sin Uachtaránacht na hÉireann ar an Aontas Eorpach a threorú. Tá deis ag Éirinn an t-iomaíochas agus an trádáil a neartú. We must make progress on the next EU budget and ensure adequate funding for the common agricultural policy to protect farm incomes, food security and rural communities. Online safety must also be prioritised and effective age verification must be introduced to protect children. This is what I have been calling for since my election. Táim ag súil go mór leis an obair atá romhainn. Go raibh maith agat. 1-0199-0000”
“In that spirit, I welcome this Parliament's call to ring‑fence at least EUR 25 billion for humanitarian aid in the next seven‑year EU budget, and that should include dedicated funding for the UN. Today, the European Parliament must send a clear message: we stand for effective multilateralism, for a UN that can deliver, and for humanitarian aid that reaches those who need it most. 2-0508-0000”
“Mr President, High Representative, in a time of geopolitical instability, rising humanitarian crisis and growing pressure on aid budgets, defending multilateralism has never been more urgent. Seventy years ago, Ireland joined the UN, an institution at the heart of our foreign policy and our commitment to peace and international law. As we look to the 81st UN General Assembly, we must reaffirm the vital role of the UN and its agencies, especially in conflict zones and humanitarian crisis. But words are not enough. We need stronger political and financial backing and a UN system able to respond quickly and to act on gender equality, poverty and hunger.”
“But would the Commission be open to suspending CBAM if and when this crisis deepens? We need commitment in long‑term financing, because simply making advance payments while cutting the next CAP will not work. 2-0302-0000”
“Madam President, Commissioner, this plan will be judged by one test. Will it lower fertiliser costs and secure availability for farmers? The geopolitical crisis in the Middle East has put our gas and fertiliser dependence into the spotlight once again. And while it may not be the defining crisis in agriculture today or tomorrow, plans for 2027 could be put into major jeopardy if fertiliser prices do not come down and supply is further disrupted. But perhaps the bigger elephant in the room is the looming CBAM tax. This is something entirely within the Commission's control. Waiting until the end of this year to assess the impact of CBAM on agricultural commodity prices will be too late. So flexibility on state aid, emergency measures, boosting domestic production are all very welcome.”
“Last September, this Parliament called for a European action plan for brain health and a dedicated rise in research funding. Europe has shown what ambition can achieve through the EU's beating cancer plan. Now we need that same ambition for dementia. 1-0242-0000”
“Mr President, 'heroic', 'brave', 'inspiring'. Those are just some of the words used to describe Jordan and Cian Adams – the 'FTD Brothers' – both carrying the rare FTD gene, which sadly took their mother from them at the age of 52 in 2016. But today they're refusing to let dementia have the final word. They are running 33 marathons in 33 days, raising awareness and funds for their foundation and the Alzheimer Society of Ireland. And their message is clear: awareness matters, but the next step must be policy change. One in three people born today will develop dementia in their lifetime, and I am delighted that, at my request, President Roberta Metsola has invited Jordan and Cian to the European Parliament later this year, but their courage must be matched by action.”
“But barriers still remain: less than 3 % of investment in high-growth businesses goes to female-led companies, women account for less than one-third of entrepreneurs in Europe, and too often they face greater challenges in accessing funding and gaining mentoring, experience and visibility, as you've said, Commissioner. Also, balancing childcare is a big issue for women in rural areas, too. That has to change. We need targeted funding for start-ups led by women. We need to broaden leadership programmes for women and we need to ring-fence the LEADER programme, because investing in women is not just about equality, it is about creating jobs, rural development and giving them the support to go further. 4-0114-0000”
“Madam President, Commissioner, in Cavan, Naomi Clarke has built a national clothes brand from a rural base. In Offaly, Anne Marie Feighery has turned farm produce into an award-winning agri-food company. In Westmeath, Una Leonard has grown a local patisserie into a huge success story. On Arranmore island, Muireann Kavanagh is fighting for the future of her fishing community. In Galway, Chloe Winter is growing organic flowers, vegetables and a thriving business while making us laugh. And using social media, trailblazers like Sophie Bell and Annie McGuinness are redefining the role of women in agriculture. These women are not alone: thousands more like them across Ireland are showing what rural leadership looks like today. From fashion and food, to crafts and farming, we see rural women creating real opportunities.”
“We need to look at the next CAP as an opportunity to bring down energy costs, and we need to use upcoming negotiations to expand on farm energy generation, whether it's solar for milking and cooling, or manure going into anaerobic digesters. We need more homegrown, reliable energy sources supported by Europe, because sustainable livestock and our agri-food sector depend on it. 4-0073-0000”
“Madam President, as we heard yesterday, Europe is facing a EUR 27 billion energy surge. Family farms, quality affordable food, and rural communities are under real strain. The livestock sector, the focus of this debate, is bearing the brunt. It is one of agriculture's most exposed sectors, with much of its overheads tied to feed, fertiliser and other inputs. In Ireland's case, I welcome Minister Heydon's ongoing work and the EUR 100 million support scheme announced yesterday, and the European Commission's move to ease state aid rules. But short-term support, whether it's national or European, will not solve the bigger problem. We must address the root causes.”
“That same protection must now be extended across the entire EU. So, Commissioner, just as Jackie showed the determination in Ireland, Europe must show the same resolve now. 3-0329-0000”
“Madam President, imagine a child too frightened to walk into their classroom. Too frightened to face someone abusing them online. Around 1 in 4 young people in Ireland experience this. And it goes beyond bullying. Last year, 1.2 million children across 11 countries reported being targeted by deepfake sexual abuse. These numbers are horrifying. And just this week, European police raised serious concerns about a growing online network ‑ The Com, encouraging children as young as seven and eight to self-harm and to harm others. Clear action is needed urgently. In Ireland, Jackie Fox has led the way after her daughter Nicole died by suicide following sustained online bullying. Jackie turned unimaginable grief into action. Her campaign led to Coco's Law, criminalising severe online abuse and the sharing of intimate images without consent.”
“At the halfway point of the EU's largest recovery fund, less than one third of the money had been disbursed. A bigger budget will mean little if it does not reach the people. So let us make sure it does. And thanks to the rapporteurs for all the work on this report. 2-0109-0000”
“Mr President, Commissioner, whether it has been ensuring food security, overseeing peace projects or investing in regional development, EU financing has stretched far in Ireland. For the majority of Ireland's 53 years in the European Community, we have been a net receiver and while that contribution cannot be easily captured in a single figure, its impact is clear: support to our farmers, fishers and regions, the infrastructure that connects our communities and the research that improves lives. But we have been reminded in recent months that we face multiple crises from energy shocks to tariffs on trade. While I absolutely welcome that Parliament is seeking a 10 % spending boost, we need renewed focus on getting this money to the ground, to those who need it most. Co-financing must be simplified and overlapping rules avoided.”
“The Commission must address this blind spot in the upcoming revision of EU rules on video platforms and podcasting. 1-0253-0000”
“Madam President, McDonald's, Domino's, Haribo, Oreo, Pepsi, Pringles. Who doesn't like a treat every now and then? But for children in Ireland, they see unhealthy food and drinks marketing roughly every four minutes online. Every four minutes, whether it's paid advertising on TikTok, influencer collaborations on Instagram or mukbang videos on YouTube. These ads for junk food capture a child's attention up to four or five times as long as regular ads. Of course, this is not a new issue. Since 2007, we have had a European framework in place to deal with ads targeting children, but it will be close to nearly ten years since it has been last updated. Ten years where AI and algorithms have almost replaced TV and toys. With one in five Irish children now presenting as overweight or obese, closing these loopholes is no longer optional.”
“This is somewhere where Europe can add real value: better data sharing, better standards, better access. A defib cannot save a life if we can't find it. 1-0325-0000”
“Madam President, in Ireland, there are an estimated 9000 defibrillators, but only half are publicly registered. And across Europe, the story is much the same. Patchy records, fragmented data, incomplete mapping. Whether you're on a holiday in Spain or driving down the Wild Atlantic Way or sightseeing in Paris, it should be easy for you to find your nearest defib. So my question today is simple: we share health data across our borders, why can't we show the same ambition when it comes to defibs? Because heart disease remains Europe's biggest killer, and around 90 % of out-of-hospital cardiac arrests result in fatality without quick intervention. The starting point should be an EU-wide database to build on the great work carried out by local community groups, PPNs, or volunteer organisations.”
“I felt that it was a good opportunity that we have a Hemicycle with youth – around 50, if I can count well over there – to make the point that here we are debating about their future, we are debating about how we can make the world safer, our Europe safer for them. So maybe it can be also an opportunity that we can address the youth that are actually here with us right now on a debate that is targeted specifically for them, and how we, as a European Parliament, can try to do our best to make their lives safe. 4-0157-0000”
“We should also accelerate its classification under the CLP Regulation as a toxic substance. The evidence is there. Waiting until 2027 is simply too slow. We must also enforce the Digital Services Act to tackle the online sale of nitrous oxide, where children are clearly being targeted. Europe must move towards a common licensing framework to control supply, protect legitimate uses and prevent abuse. I welcome, Commissioner, what you said: that this is an EU-wide issue and requires an EU-wide approach. Let's make that happen! (The speaker agreed to take a blue-card question) 4-0156-0000 Thomas Bajada (S&D), blue-card question. – Thank you, colleague, for accepting the blue card.”
“Mr President, since 2020, more than EUR 8.6 million worth of nitrous oxide – or laughing gas, as it's more commonly known – has been seized entering Ireland. Walk through any park or down any side street, even along our main roads, and you will see the evidence discarded: silver bullets and whippets littering the ground. This is not harmless fun. Across the EU, Member States are reporting rising poisoning and even deaths linked to its misuse. Medical evidence now links the use of laughing gas to spinal cord damage. And yet nitrous oxide can still move freely across the EU single market. That is why I am calling on the Commission to recognise nitrous oxide as an emerging drug of concern. It should be brought into the EU early warning system so we can monitor misuse before more harm is done.”
“That is why I call for 5 % of the next seven‑year Erasmus+ budget to be ringfenced for sport, to support grassroots sport, school activity and community health because tackling obesity is not just about policy, it is about improving the health and lives of millions of Europeans. 4-0068-0000”
“Madam President, Commissioner, obesity in Europe has been described as an epidemic. In 2022, the WHO reported that obesity had reached alarming levels in Ireland following COVID‑19, with 57 % of adults and 8 % of children under five overweight or obese. Across the EU, over half of adults and nearly one in three children are now affected. Obesity is a disease shaped by many factors. It is not only a major health challenge, it also places huge burden on our healthcare systems and economies. Physical activity remains central to prevention and we know that every euro invested in physical activity can return up to EUR 2 in healthcare savings. So, if we are serious about prevention, we must invest in physical activity.”
“Ireland has the highest potential per capita in Europe for biomethane development, and this should be encouraged to follow countries like Denmark, who can generate close to half of its gas demand from AD plants, insulating itself from shocks. We need big thinking. There is no other way. 1-0239-0000”
“Mr President, in Ireland, fuel prices have passed EUR 2 per litre. Five hundred litres of home heating oil now costs over EUR 800. Across the Midlands–North-West, families and businesses are feeling the pressure. The European Commission must take immediate action to protect consumers. Firstly, the Commission must be ready to activate its crisis protocols. This includes joint purchasing of gas to bring prices down. Secondly, we must act to separate the price of electricity from gas, because when gas prices spike, electricity soon follows. Third, we must invest in home-grown electricity, cheaper energy across the EU. In Europe, we spend 40 million every hour importing energy. We need renewables scaled up. We need to realise the full potential of anaerobic digestion across all Member States.”
“EU food rules are very clear: food labelling must be accurate and clear. So I would urge the Commission to step up its enforcement of our current food safety labelling laws. 4-0128-0000”
“Madam President, today we are discussing strengthening the role of farmers in the food supply chain and unfair trading practices in Europe. This is the first ever directive to specifically improve the protection and status of farmers and primary producers. And it is to be welcomed. It is a particularly important step as we begin discussions on the common agricultural policy. But if we are trying to strengthen the role of farmers, suppliers and consumers, we also need to take a closer look at our food labelling. We have seen several recent cases where products branded as coming from one country on European supermarket shelves are, in fact, grown elsewhere. Now, don't get me wrong: it is a huge advantage that we can buy and sell our products all over the world, and it keeps businesses going, but we must tighten up on misleading labelling.”
“Article 5 of the AI Act also provides us with a clear legal basis to ban AI 'nudifiers'. We have the tools, but we must be willing to use them, because when technology moves at the speed of light, the EU cannot act at a snail's pace. On cyberbullying specifically, we need a clear EU definition to give children the same legal protection across all EU countries. We cannot have a fragmented approach. I look forward, Commissioner, to working with you and continuing this work in Parliament over the months ahead. 2-0436-0000”
“Mr President, Commissioner, this week we mark Safer Internet Day to coincide with the new EU action plan against cyberbullying. But for many families across Ireland and the EU, the internet feels like a minefield: 1 in 6 of our teenagers has been cyberbullied; 1 in 8 admits to taking part in bullying. These numbers are staggering, but the game has changed. We are now seeing the rise of AI deepfakes and the tools that can generate sexualised and nude images. The recent controversy surrounding Grok shows exactly how real this threat is. It is welcome to see the Commission launch an investigation, but we must not delay on following through with tough action. Article 70 of the Digital Services Act allows for platforms to be temporarily suspended when there is a serious risk of EU law being breached.”
“That is why I have tabled amendments to secure PEACEPLUS a place in the next EU budget, and I urge the Commission to stand behind PEACEPLUS and guarantee its future. 1-0229-0000”
“Mr President, to paraphrase John Hume, a former Member of this House, the European Union has been an instrument of peace on the island of Ireland, for peace was not built overnight. Since 1995, EU support through PEACEPLUS has strengthened cross-border communities and stability, and the impact is clear: EUR 160 million for cross-border rail between Belfast and Dublin, EUR 20 million invested in the Shannonside sports campus, EUR 18 million for cross-border help projects in Fermanagh, Cavan, Monaghan, Tyrone, Louth, Armagh, Sligo and Leitrim. And over 10 000 people upskilled in Derry and Donegal. But we cannot become complacent, because as it stands, PEACEPLUS still has no dedicated budget line in the next European Regional Development Fund.”
“The best way to continue to honour his legacy and the legacy of many other extraordinary cancer care advocates, is to match their courage with political will. 1-0184-0000”
“We need to uphold consumer protection, that's very clear, and stay true to our democratic values. And together we need to deliver a competitive AI-ready electronic communications market that benefits businesses and consumers alike. So I wish you all the best for this. 3-0309-0000”
“I mean, everybody says that we need one set of rules, and then in the process, it becomes 27 plus one sets of rules. So I hope that you will succeed. This is the beginning of the legislative journey of the Digital Networks Act proposal and the Commission counts on your constructive engagement and cooperation. This process is an opportunity to demonstrate our capacity to act with pragmatism and ambition to advance a pro-European, pro-innovation digital agenda that unlocks investments and strengthens competitiveness, while upholding consumer protection and staying true to our democratic values. Also, it was interesting for me to hear the issue of car radios because I think it's not the issue only about technology, but it's actually the issue of access to information. So I will take that to my colleagues as well.”
“So, I am calling on the Commission during negotiations on the Digital Networks Act to accept amendments from myself and colleagues. Every car made or imported into the EU must include a built‑in FM radio. 3-0307-0000 (Fine della procedura "catch the eye") 3-0308-0000 Kaja Kallas, Vice-President of the Commission / High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy. – Madam President, honourable Members, as Commissioner Virkkunen had to leave, I am taking over. But I am really happy that I do this on this topic because when I was a Member of European Parliament, this was actually my topic that I worked with. So I see many colleagues from that time and hear you all. And you know, it's also funny to hear this, because I heard the same things that I heard ten years ago.”
“Madam President, Commissioner, more and more cars coming into Europe from China, the United States and elsewhere are being sold without FM radio. I first raised this last November with colleagues from the Committee on Transport and Tourism and I have since written to the Commission. I am raising it again today because car radios are not properly covered in the Digital Networks Act and that matters. In Ireland, 40 % of local radio listening happens in the car. Radio is free, it is reliable and it does not depend on mobile networks or broadband. During Storm Éowyn, over 700 000 people lost power. In moments like that, radio becomes a lifeline. When the power goes out, the radio stays on. At a time when misinformation online is everywhere, trusted radio matters more than ever.”
“While I welcome the recent steps taken by Ireland's Minister for Health, Jennifer Carroll MacNeill, national action alone is not enough. Tobacco controls fall under the Commission's remit and this requires EU-wide response. If the EU continues to allow or facilitate cross-border sales of nicotine pouches designed to target children the consequences for public health will be severe. 1-0207-0000”
“Mr President, last week, I had the privilege of hosting Armita and Eabha, two TY students from Rathoath College, on work experience in my Brussels office. What they shared at me about nicotine pouches and how normalised they have become among young people their age, was deeply alarming. In 2024, an Irish study showed growing numbers of children and teenagers using nicotine pouches. Also, we have seen this with vaping: sweet-style packaging and fruity flavours deliberately used to attract young people. We are seeing the same playbook again. Many nicotine pouches carry no health warnings and provide little or no information about the manufacturer. As with vapes, nicotine pouches fall outside the current scope of the EU tobacco control legislation. That gap is now being actively exploited.”
“That means reducing the price gap between conventional fuels and ensuring we can build up at scale. In particular, the Commission's commitment to explore a book-and-claim system is welcome. We need to incentivise and reward the early movers. Investment in infrastructure must be sped up. Otherwise, we risk falling further behind our competitors who, let's be realistic, are already far ahead. So while we may be flying high, we are not moving quickly enough. 4-0042-0000”
“Mr President, sustainable aviation and maritime fuels are one of the most important tools we have to cut transport emissions while keeping Europe moving. Sustainable fuels can reduce emissions by up to 80 %. They will be essential if we are to reach climate neutrality by 2050. But despite the progress we have made, these fuels remain too expensive and too limited in supply. That's why I want to welcome the Commission's sustainable transport investment plan, published earlier this month. It recognises the reality. The policy framework is in place. The targets exist, but the investment gap remains simply enormous. As I see it, we have two missing pieces in the puzzle: incentives and financing. If we want airlines, shipping operators and fuel producers to make major investments, Europe must provide stable long-term conditions.”
“Commissioner, given the deep cuts we may face in our quotas, what concrete steps will the Commission take to act on Ireland's request to take tough action on Norway's unsustainable catches? And, specifically, will the Commission consider trade or market access measures? 3-0475-0000 Vystúpenia na základe prihlásenia sa o slovo zdvihnutím ruky 3-0476-0000”
“Mr President, Commissioner, Ireland's fishing communities could well face one of the most dramatic quota cuts in living memory off the back of the latest scientific advice. So it will be vitally important that we retain the Hague Preferences that have been used since 1983 for the allocation of quotas under the CFP. Meanwhile, Norway and other third countries continue to unilaterally set inflated quotas and engage in overfishing, while many Irish boats remain tied up onshore. Norway alone has in some years exceeded its mackerel quota by over 50 %. Over the past five years, over one million tonnes have been taken above scientific advice. This is reckless and unsustainable.”
“Looking ahead to the digital fairness act, we have a massive opportunity in this mandate to make the internet a safer place for our children. It is time to close the remaining gaps. 2-0453-0000 IN THE CHAIR: JAVI LÓPEZ Vice-President 2-0454-0000”
“Madam President, children and teenagers spend an average of 4 to 5 hours per day on social media. Cyberbullying, pornography, self-harm, addictive algorithms, an infinite scroll – all available in just one swipe. And all it takes is for a young person to tick a box saying: 'yes, I am 13,' and they have instant access to adult content. Social media companies have failed to self-regulate. This is where the EU needs to step in. We need to build on the work of the Digital Services Act and make an online age verification mandatory for accessing social media platforms. There are too many loopholes in the current system, and today's report goes a long way in identifying the outstanding issues. But now, let's be clear: our next step must be action.”
“Has the Commission considered supporting vaccination trials or is work being done on genetic resistance? Can we explore an EU research budget to find a common answer to this problem? And finally, would the Commission be open to exploring the EU-backed insurance or risk pool supported by agri-food producers and others operating in that space? I would be grateful if you could bring it back to the college for me. 1-0377-0000”
“Mr President, over the past week, Ireland has confirmed several outbreaks of bird flu, in a serious blow to the sector just weeks before Christmas. We have also seen outbreaks in 15 other EU countries. Farmers and producers are extremely worried, and rightly so. The risk of culling is high, and the losses are very real for farming incomes, which is likely to have a direct knock-on impact on our food supply chains. Solving this issue is bigger than any one country. Farmers and producers are going to great lengths and incurring significant costs to protect their flocks in the middle of an already challenging period. So, with that in mind, I have several questions for the Commission. Firstly, can we get an update on the Commission's latest monitoring and coordination of the outbreaks?”