Kathleen Funchion
Member of the European Parliament · The Left · IE
“A Uachtaráin, I mí Feabhra, leag an Pharlaimint amach a seasamh maidir leis an Straitéis Frithbhochtaineachta. Doiciméad a bhí ann a leag amach tograí dearfacha chun deireadh a chur le bochtanas ar fud an Aontais Eorpaigh. Anois, tá moltaí an Choimisiúin againn agus is mór an náire iad.”
“A Uachtaráin, carers are the backbone of our community. The unsung hero is looking after some of the most vulnerable in our society, and yet are consistently left behind. As we know, women disproportionately take on those caring responsibilities.”
“Carers are putting in the hours and providing this vital care, but because they might be working part-time, or their partner is working, they see a much reduced payment, or indeed, in many instances, no payment at all.”
“A Uachtaráin, I want to raise the matter of the recent fires which we saw in the south-east of Ireland recently that destroyed the livelihoods of many, in Waterford City in particular.”
“I do understand that recent packages have been announced by the Irish Government, which is welcome, but we do need to see those funds actioned as a matter of urgency.”
“Mr President, not content with their genocide in Gaza, Israel and war criminal Benjamin Netanyahu have extended their crimes towards the people of Lebanon. Reports that the Israeli Defence Minister has ordered the destruction of homes inside Lebanon tells us clearly their aim is occupation and annexation.”
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“Carers are putting in the hours and providing this vital care, but because they might be working part-time, or their partner is working, they see a much reduced payment, or indeed, in many instances, no payment at all. Unsurprisingly, but still disappointingly, Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil MEPs voted against my amendment on ending this means test, at committee level here. Carers deserve a lot better. We need to recognise our carers for the contribution they make to society. They need to be paid properly and they deserve the same rights and protections as any other workers. 3-0343-0000”
“A Uachtaráin, carers are the backbone of our community. The unsung hero is looking after some of the most vulnerable in our society, and yet are consistently left behind. As we know, women disproportionately take on those caring responsibilities. We need to see the care system as a public service, rather than a private, for-profit model or the unsaid expectation of women. The Irish Government, like many others across Europe, needs to listen to carers and get rid of what we have in Ireland, which is a very unfair means test of the Carer's Allowance. This means test excludes thousands of carers, and results in many receiving reduced payments.”
“A Uachtaráin, I mí Feabhra, leag an Pharlaimint amach a seasamh maidir leis an Straitéis Frithbhochtaineachta. Doiciméad a bhí ann a leag amach tograí dearfacha chun deireadh a chur le bochtanas ar fud an Aontais Eorpaigh. Anois, tá moltaí an Choimisiúin againn agus is mór an náire iad. Níl aon fhreagra i straitéis an Choimisiúin maidir le conas is féidir deireadh a chur le bochtanas. Níl aon mhaoiniú nua chun cabhrú lenár bpobail i dtograí an Choimisiúin. Is mór an trua é seo agus níl sé seo sách maith. Caithfimid infheistíocht a dhéanamh inár bpobail agus inár ndaoine. Teastaíonn stráitéis uainn a chuireann an gnáthdhuine chun tosaigh, agus tá dualgas orainn é sin a bhaint amach. 3-0297-0000”
“I do understand that recent packages have been announced by the Irish Government, which is welcome, but we do need to see those funds actioned as a matter of urgency. We are into the second week of those workers having no income and having no certainty in terms of their work and their livelihoods, and all in the backdrop of a cost of living crisis. So any assistance has to be actual, real assistance that benefits workers, and particularly those in the community sector and those who are relying on the services for people with a disability and additional needs. I would ask that the EU institutions do everything that they can without delay. 1-0225-0000”
“A Uachtaráin, I want to raise the matter of the recent fires which we saw in the south-east of Ireland recently that destroyed the livelihoods of many, in Waterford City in particular. I want to commend our emergency services, particularly in Waterford City and also in Kilkenny, that assisted with the fire and the local authorities that also acted very quickly. We have seen devastation, though, for businesses, for those who are working in those industries and also for many community groups and those that deal with people with a disability and intellectual disabilities. So I want to stress that we need to find alternative arrangements for anybody that is reliant on community services in particular.”
“I want to pay tribute to the Irish men and women, both past and present, who have served us with pride as peacekeepers in Lebanon. Netanyahu should be in prison for war crimes, not causing further devastation for the people in Lebanon and Palestine. 3-0492-0000”
“Mr President, not content with their genocide in Gaza, Israel and war criminal Benjamin Netanyahu have extended their crimes towards the people of Lebanon. Reports that the Israeli Defence Minister has ordered the destruction of homes inside Lebanon tells us clearly their aim is occupation and annexation. Whilst all of this is going on, the EU still refuses to suspend the EU-Israel Association Agreement. Some of our governments are even still selling weapons to Israel to help facilitate their crimes, occupation and annexation. Shame on them! If we are serious about a lasting ceasefire, we need the occupying IDF to withdraw from Lebanese territory, we need to help rebuild, and recommit ourselves to peace and to justice.”
“A Uachtaráin, caithfimid obair a dhéanamh chun deireadh a chur le bulaíocht de gach saghas. Dá bharr sin, cuirim fáilte roimh an díospóireacht seo ar phlean gníomhaíochta in aghaidh bulaíocht ar líne. Tá an domhan athraithe go mór le blianta anuas agus, maidir le bulaíocht, tá dualgas orainn níos mó a dhéanamh chun stop a chur leis. Tá aithne againn go léir ar dhuine a ndearnadh bulaíocht orthu ar líne agus anois le AI, tá an scéal ag fáil níos measa. Mar is gnách, is páistí, daoine óga agus mná is mó a ndéantar díriú orthu nuair a thagann sé go bulaíocht ar líne. Déanaimid go leor cainte sa teach seo faoi pháistí a chosaint, ach nuair a thagann sé chun gníomhú, teipeann orainn. Tá súil agam, mar sin, gur seo an Pharlaimint a thógann an cheist seo dáiríre agus go gcuirfimid deireadh le bulaíocht ar líne. 2-0393-0000”
“Having a Criminal Assets Bureau system would mean that their assets would be seized, they would have to contribute – that would mean real accountability and real justice for those who suffered at their hands. 1-0228-0000”
“And they are asking for a Criminal Assets Bureau-style system to be created, whereby assets of the religious institutions can be seized to ensure that religious organisations, and in this case, the Christian Brothers we talk about tonight, but also there is many religious orders involved in this – they must contribute to redress schemes for survivors. It is not good enough that we consistently hear lip service being paid to this. Some people will utter apologies and say, 'this is terrible, it should not have happened, it's a shame'; however, we want to see real action on this, and I think it's important that the religious institutions are held to account.”
“A Uachtaráin, this evening, I want to raise an issue in relation to survivors of abuse in Ireland, and this was abuse that they suffered in school at the hands of the Christian Brothers. All counties, I think, in Ireland has been affected by this issue, but tonight I am thinking in particular of survivors from my own home county of Kilkenny, who very bravely shared their stories with me recently. All of these survivors have gone through a court process. What I want to raise in particular is an ask that they have, and I really want to see the EU take action on this. They are looking for full justice, and that means accountability and responsibility.”
“Secondary school graduates are deferring college places due to unaffordable accommodation costs, and we have elderly men and women – who have already made their contribution to society – left lying in hospital corridors in overcrowded hospitals, due to incompetent ministers of health. It's not good enough. We have to do far more, our government in Ireland needs to do far more and this institution needs to do far more, particularly in the times that we are living in. 4-0080-0000”
“A Uachtaráin, I welcome this debate as we are living in turbulent times. It is important that we don't allow any backsliding with regards to rights. Indeed, we must commit to renewing our efforts to expand the rights of minorities, women and those who are most marginalised and who face discrimination in their efforts to play a role in society – whether that be in education, in the workplace or in general participation in the communities they call home. In Ireland, we face a number of crises in the cost of living: we have a homeless situation, in housing and also in our health care. And while our own government takes victory laps, citing huge budgetary surpluses, we see an entire generation of people who view home ownership as an unrealistic pipe dream.”
“A Uachtaráin, vótáil mé in aghaidh na tuairisce seo, de bharr na béime a chuir sé ar chúrsaí míleata. Níl mé i bhfabhar airgead a thógáil amach as cistí sóisialta ar nós CAP, LEADER agus an ESF chun é a chaitheamh ar an earnáil mhíleata. Tá daoine ag streachailt chun a gcuid billí a íoc agus níl muid ag déanamh dóthain chun cabhrú leo. Chomh maith leis sin, ní dóigh liom go léiríonn an tuairisc seo mórán measa ar neodracht na hÉireann. Ba chóir níos mó measa a léiriú do Bhallstáit ar nós na hÉireann agus cistí tábhachtacha a chosaint. Tá muid i bParlaimint na hEorpa. Níl muid i gcruinniú NATO. 3-0557-0000”
“AI tools that harm our communities must be stopped, and we have a responsibility to ensure that this happens. We all deserve safety and dignity and to live lives free from exploitation, both online and offline. 2-0052-0000”
“A Uachtaráin, a chairde, across Europe, we all know that women do not feel safe. Many are afraid to walk alone at night, and too many do not feel safe even in their own homes. Now, women and children are being targeted in a new way through unregulated AI, which is being used to create fake sexual and abusive images of women and children. The platforms know that this is happening, yet they continue to turn a blind eye. If this abuse is visible on platforms like X, we can only imagine how much worse it is on hidden networks and the dark web. The irony of this situation is that those who profit most from this exploitation are often the very same people who spread misinformation and fear, all in the name of protecting women and children. We need to see strong, up-to-date laws and real enforcement.”
“It's time that we bin the failed policies that clearly do not work and which only help to maximise the profits of developers. It's time to work towards a genuine and radical housing policy that does deliver for all of our communities. 2-0351-0000”
“A Uachtaráin, the housing crisis is the biggest challenge facing a generation of Irish people today. Of course, it's not an accidental crisis when we're talking about it for ten years or more. It's a crisis caused by successive governments' policy, who have prioritised vulture funds over ordinary workers and families. But the solutions to the housing crisis do exist, and I think it's really important that we focus on that in a debate such as this. And the EU has a role to play in relation to this – repeal the non-performing loans directive, which is nothing more than a directive for vulture funds, relax EU fiscal rules so that countries like Ireland can use their own money to invest in housing, and return decision-making powers to local councils. Decisions should be made as near as possible to the people and communities that they affect.”
“While this seems to be paused due to the public outrage, these packs are for our most vulnerable. It shows that in times of austerity, and when governments opt for austerity, it is the most vulnerable who suffer. 1-0258-0000”
“A Uachtaráin, ba mhaith liom an ghéarchéim maidir leis an gcostas maireachtála a ardú. Is géarchéim í seo le tionchar do gach duine san Eoraip. Cad é an leigheas air seo? Airgead a chur i seirbhísí poiblí ar nós cúram leanaí, cúram sláinte, oideachais agus níos mó. Ba chóir cosc ar bhrabúsaíocht a chur i bhfeidhm. Tá comhlachtaí leictreachais ag déanamh brabúis ollmhóra agus teaghlaigh ag streachailt a gcuid billí a íoc. Mr President, dear colleagues, the question I am often asked about this cost-of-living crisis is: what exactly is the EU doing to address it? The answer? Unfortunately, cutting back vital EU programmes to the benefit of the arms industry, which won't help anyone pay their bills this Christmas. I would also like to raise a particularly heartless decision recently by the Irish Government to cut funding for blister packs.”
“I call on the Commission to stop paying lip service and to act now, by whatever means necessary, to punish those who have brought about this situation and to protect the fishing communities in Ireland and throughout Europe. Without radical action, thousands will face this economic and ecological catastrophe. Irish fishing is already facing decimation, and the DG for Maritime Affairs and Fisheries acknowledges the risk of severe overfishing. What more devastation needs to happen before action is finally taken? 3-0454-0000”
“A Uachtaráin, once again, we are talking about sustainability in fishing, and once again, the fish stock is reduced. Struggling fishermen and coastal communities in Ireland are facing more quota cuts that threaten their livelihoods. The Commission is still not doing enough to combat this issue. Norway, for example, have for years been unilaterally increasing their quotas, particularly for mackerel. The Commission have watched on and have done absolutely nothing about this. Now the mackerel stock has plummeted and those who have fished responsibly are paying the price. The matter of overfishing is not just about the destruction of the marine ecosystem and reckless endangerment of target species. It is also about the destruction of coastal communities.”
“A Uachtaráin, ní raibh mé in ann tacú leis an tuairisc de bharr na béime a chuir sí ar chúrsaí míleata. É sin ráite, cuirim fáilte roimh an díospóireacht maidir le méadú an Aontais Eorpaigh. Tá díospóireacht ag tarlú in Éirinn faoi athaontú ár n-oileáin agus creidim go gcaithfidh an tAontas Eorpach ról níos mó a ghlacadh sa díospóireacht seo. Tá sé soiléir domsa go mbeidh reifreann againn sa todhchaí ar Éire Aontaithe, agus beidh an Éire Aontaithe seo taobh istigh den Aontas Eorpach. Dá bharr sin, tá sé tábhachtach go ndeireann an AE cén tacaíocht a bheidh ar fáil dár n-oileán agus muid dul ó oileán le teorainn chuig Éire Aontaithe. 3-0553-0000”
“The Council also must not – having been dragged kicking and screaming to the point of proposing the most minor sanctions on Israel – let Israel off the hook. The murder and savagery of the Netanyahu regime continues and must be punished. 3-0050-0000”
“Madam President, as the Council meets, its agenda is clear: militarisation, above all else. The lines between NATO and the EU are going from blurred to non-existent. The EU is openly talking about coordinating the armies of Europe. Yet the Taoiseach, Micheál Martin, among others, says we can't question this trajectory – asking questions apparently makes us anti-European. I am not anti-European, but I am 100 % pro-Irish neutrality, pro-Irish interests in the world, and our interests do not lie in a militarised Europe, where our social and agricultural funds are stolen to be spent on tanks and drones. Irish neutrality will not go quietly into the night, even if the Irish Government may want this. Irish people do not want this and will resist it!”
“At the same time as these people are standing outside the Dáil on hunger strike, we had a group in Sean Ross Abbey sleeping out; elderly people sleeping out overnight to highlight their issue, asking for that site to be investigated and potentially exhumed. So I am asking the EU Parliament to do everything in its power, and the Irish Government, as well, to do everything in its power, to give the redress that is deserved, to give these Health (Amendment) Act cards, State contributory pensions, and access to records and access to proper redress for any of the survivors of the industrial schools, the Magdalene laundries and the mother and baby institutions. 1-0186-0000”
“A Uachtaráin, I want to raise an issue to highlight a group who are currently sitting outside the Dáil, which is the Irish Parliament, and they're on hunger strike. They're a group of survivors of the Irish horrific industrial school system. This group is calling for individuals of that system to be awarded a Health (Amendment) Act, which is a HAA card, and a State contributory pension in response to what happened to them in their childhood and the consequences of this to their lives. It is the least, the absolute least, the Irish State could offer them. We have a horrific situation in Ireland over the years. Our history is very poor in relation to people being forced into industrial schools, Magdalene laundries and mother and baby institutions.”
“The Irish Government and all EU Member States must lead with action by investing in our refuge spaces as a short-term support, in housing, in step-down housing and, really importantly, in education and awareness programmes against misogyny and sexism, and by supporting organisations that offer a lifeline for every woman in every community across our Member States. It is time to guarantee long-term funding and real commitment to these services and the workers, to show that we value and stand with those who do life-saving work every single day. 4-0035-0000”
“A Uachtaráin, a chairde, an equal society cannot exist while any woman or girl lives under the threat of gender-based violence. Right now in Ireland, we face an epidemic of violence against women and girls. In the past eight years, reports of domestic abuse have risen by 162 %. While it is great to see women coming forward and finding the courage to speak out, the supports needed are still falling far short. When a woman finally manages to escape abuse, often with her children, we need to ensure that both short-term and longer-term supports are available to her.”
“And in particular, I want to raise the issue of El-Astal family from Belfast, who, like many others, have had their travel documents damaged in the war and I appeal to the Irish Government to urgently issue the emergency documentation to the El-Astal family to facilitate their return to Ireland. For our part, as MEPs, we must do what we can to ensure that Israel is held to account for their war crimes and we must work towards a sustainable and peaceful future where no citizen of Palestine has to fear a bomb falling from the sky. 1-0191-0000”
“Madam President, firstly, I want to express my solidarity with all those who are involved in the Global Sumud Flotilla, particularly all the Irish citizens and my friend and colleague, Senator Chris Andrews. Many are being released tonight after being kidnapped in international waters last week. The International Community must begin holding the Netanyahu regime to account for their blatant disregard for international and humanitarian law. I wish to raise the importance of the Irish Government doing what they can to ensure that all Irish citizens and their dependents who wish to return to Ireland can do so safely and quickly.”
“A Uachtaráin, vótáil mé i bhfabhar na tuairisce seo. In Éirinn, tá géarchéim thithíochta inár nGaeltachtaí. Tá méadú sa mhéid lóistín atá ar fáil ar Airbnb agus ardú i dtithe saoire atá mar dara teach agus tá fadhbanna a bhaineann le cead pleanála a fháil freisin. De bharr na bhfadhbanna seo uilig, tá sé deacair do mhuintir na Gaeltachta fanacht sa Ghaeltacht. Níl sé seo sách maith i 2025 agus caithfimid níos mó a dhéanamh chun todhchaí gheal a chinntiú don Ghaeltacht agus dár dteanga. 3-0591-0000”
“Changing the rules so that the ESF+ and the ERDF can be put to use for the military industry is a gross betrayal. Growing up in Ireland, we learned the value of EU funds to our economy and to our infrastructure. They were a symbol of practical solidarity for economically lagging regions. Now they are just to be used as another fund for topping up arms and the war-making industry. It is a shameful move, showing how nothing is safe from this agenda but will be an excuse in the future to cut funds from vital social projects in order to pay for weapons. 2-0336-0000”
“Madam President, I was happy to contribute positively to a report on simplifying access to EU funds. As many of us know, it is the simple fact that many groups in communities are very frustrated at and by the maze of paperwork drawing down EU funds involves. So in my contribution to this report, I tackled things like streamlining the number of data requests and listening to the people on the ground who were actually applying for funds. However, I cannot support a report which cannot talk about the simplification without pushing for the militarisation of cohesion funds. This should be completely out of bounds politically, yet other groups lined up to accept without any resistance. How can allowing funds for regional development for defence purposes even be countenanced?”
“Wherever there is a genocide, it will be called out by me. We know very well in Ireland what it's like to be under occupation. So that is why we have such empathy, rightly so, with the Palestinian people. It has already been stated by my colleague, Marc Botenga. All of the various organisations – the International Court of Justice, Amnesty, all of the organisations – the list is as long as your arm – that know that this is a genocide. You are the one that is denying a genocide, and history will not look well on you at all, and rightly so. Shame on you to look at kids starving – enforced starvation – trucks and boats trying to get in with food and aid, and you sit there and you laugh. Shame on you! 2-0116-0000”
“I ask, how can you watch children being shredded to pieces by Israeli weapons and do nothing, and deny the genocide? History will not forgive silence. 'Never again' means 'never again for everyone'. Saoirse don Phalaistín! (The speaker agreed to take a blue-card question) 2-0114-0000 Tomislav Sokol (PPE), blue-card question. – You speak about genocide all the time – you and the other colleagues from the left. My question is: are you aware of a statement signed by almost 500 legal and history scholars which, with various strong arguments, says that there is no genocide in Gaza? So, are you also aware of that, or do you just plan to not hear this because it doesn't suit your narrative? 2-0115-0000 Kathleen Funchion (The Left), blue-card answer. – The first thing I want to say is, I will call out a genocide wherever it happens.”
“Madam President, we are now more than 700 days into Israel's genocide in Gaza, and the response from world leaders, including those here in Europe, continues to be one of shameful, resounding silence. More than 64 000 people murdered was not enough for President von der Leyen to say 'Stop', and it seems that the images of enforced starvation of children is not enough for the Commission and the Council to take real action against Israel. The EU and all Member States must suspend the EU‑Israel Association Agreement, ban trade with illegal settlements and finally work towards the delivery of a two‑state solution where all children can live without hunger and without fear of Israeli bombs falling from the sky. I do want to comment on some of the comments we have heard here today from people in this Chamber who are denying the genocide.”
“A Uachtaráin, ba mhaith liom mo chomhghairdeachas a thabhairt dóibh siúd a thacaíonn leis an tionscnamh seo. Tá neart cainte ag an Aontas Eorpach faoin éagsúlacht, ach nuair a thagann sé go cearta teanga agus éagsúlacht teanga, tá muid an-lag go deo. Is é an cás in Éirinn go bhfuil ár dteanga náisiúnta mar theanga nach bhfuil in úsáid go forleathan de bharr thionchar an impiriúlachais. Is cosúil nach n-aithníonn an tAontas Eorpach ná rialtas na hÉireann go bhfuil tréithe speisialta ag na réigiúin seo, lena mbuntáistí agus a míbhuntáistí féin. Tá an tionscnamh seo tar éis aird a tharraingt ar réigiúin cosúil lenár nGaeltachtaí agus ba chóir ardmholadh a thabhairt dó. D'fhéadfadh maoiniú comhtháthaithe a bheith ina uirlis chun cumhacht a thabhairt dár bpobail Ghaeltachta chun todhchaí gheal a chinntiú.”
“So, I am calling on this Parliament and the EU to take urgent action without delay on behalf of people in Ireland who are being ripped off in the insurance sector, particularly regarding car insurance, as is important that there is fairness for all EU citizens. 1-0204-0000”
“A Uachtaráin, it seems Irish insurance holders are stuck in some kind of a rip-off cycle, particularly when it comes to car insurance. In Ireland, we are now paying nearly twice the EU average and it's at the highest it has been in five years. People and families, particularly in rural Ireland, who need cars to get to work, to get to school and basically live their lives, are facing unexplained rises in these costs. In the midst of a cost-of-living crisis, it certainly adds salt to the wound. Unsurprisingly, the Dublin Government seem to have no intention of doing anything – as usual – regarding this.”
“This debate has been a combination of maddening and depressing for the past two hours, listening to the vast majority of speakers. I would also remind people that, at its core, the EU is supposed to be a peace project, and we should not move away from this. We also should not be allowing any funds or vital programmes, such as the European Social and Cohesion Funds, to be used for any military purposes whatsoever. 3-0085-0000”
“A Uachtaráin, whilst I recognise the sovereign right of each Member State to choose their own foreign policies and whether or not they participate in military alliances, such as NATO, I hope each of you too recognises the sovereign right of my country, Ireland, to maintain its historical policy of neutrality. We in Ireland have a proud history and tradition of UN peacekeeping, and long may that continue. Now make no mistake, we do require investment in order to ensure that the men and women of the Irish Defence Forces are properly paid and are properly equipped, but this cannot be used as an excuse by our government to move away from neutrality. Colleagues, I feel it is important to reference the creeping militarisation into EU politics.”
“A Uachtaráin, cé go gcuirim fáilte roimh go leor a bhí sa tuairisc seo, ní raibh mé in ann tacú léi. Mar Fheisire, nuair atá mé ag dul timpeall Éireann Theas, feicim go bhfuil gá le polasaithe tuaithe agus maoiniú dár bpobail thuaithe. Sin an fáth go gceapaim go bhfuil sé scannalach go bhfuil alt 39 sa tuairisc seo ag rá gur chóir dúinn cursaí míleata a thabhairt isteach go dtí ár bpolasaithe tuaithe. A chairde, tá dóthain airgid agus béime ag dul i dtreo cúrsaí míleata. Ba chóir do gach duine sa teach seo seasamh suas agus cinntiú go bhfuil muid ag cosaint maoiniú dár bpobail thuaithe. Go raibh maith agaibh. 2-0759-0000 Le Président. – Ce point de l'ordre du jour est clos.”
“If the EU is serious about de-escalation and a ceasefire, it needs to send a clear message to the world that there can be no trade deals for war criminals. This is why the EU-Israel Association Agreement must be suspended with immediate effect. This institution must support the people of Palestine ... (The President cut off the speaker) 2-0540-0000”
“A Uachtaráin, when future generations look back on the live-streamed genocide in Gaza, they will not look kindly on the EU institutions. They will not look kindly on the President of the European Commission, who willingly takes phone calls from war criminals. They will not look kindly on this institution, as after nearly two years of war crimes being broadcast onto our television screens and our phones, there has been a failure to impose even the most basic of sanctions against Israel. How much suffering must the people of Gaza endure before action is taken? How many more children must be slaughtered before the President and the Commission ensure that Netanyahu's regime is held to account? This regime is now extending their war to Iran.”
“A Uachtaráin, ba mhaith liom an comhaontú idir an tAontas Eorpach agus an Iorua a ardú. Níl an comhaontú seo go maith do phobal iascaireachta na hÉireann agus is mór an náire é aon Fheisire as Éirinn vótáil ina fhabhar. Tá ár n-iascairí i dteideal córas cothrom agus ba chóir dúinn oibriú ina threo sin. Táimid i Sinn Féin tiomanta chun seasamh suas ar son ár bpobal cois cósta agus iascaireachta chun a chinntiú go mbeidh todhchaí bhreá agus gheal acu. 1-0233-0000”
“A Uachtaráin, ní raibh mé in ann tacú leis an tuarascáil seo. Chuir an tuarascáil béim mhór ar chúrsaí míleata don Aontas Eorpach agus níl mise i bhfabhar sin. Mar Fheisire Éireannach, táimid bródúil as ár bpolasaí stairiúil maidir le neodracht. Níl sé ceart go mbeadh an tAontas Eorpach ag cur brú orainn in Éirinn dul i dtreo Arm Eorpach. Tá muid chun é seo a throid. Sin an fáth nach raibh muid in ann tacú leis seo. Go raibh maith agat. 3-0516-0000”
“If we are serious about tackling these challenges, let us first recognise what has caused them, which is bad policy. What we need is to promote the social economy which puts workers and families front and centre. We need to lay the groundwork that gives them and their communities certainty and enables everyone to reach their full potential. It is incumbent upon us as legislators to address and improve working and living conditions for all of our citizens, and I suggest that we strive in this Chamber to achieve that in this term. 3-0030-0000”
“A Uachtaráin, whilst I welcome certain aspects of this report, particularly in recognition of the role of formal and informal carers in society, I ultimately cannot vote in favour. We are not fooled by calls for debt sustainability, which is in reality calls for a return to the failed policies of austerity. The call for sustainable pension systems is nothing more than Eurospeak for increasing the pension age on workers right across our Member States. The report speaks of demographic challenges without identifying the cause of these challenges. We have permitted regional imbalances and inequalities to persist and indeed deepen over the years. The challenges faced by our regions are down to bad policy, which makes education and housing so unaffordable for ordinary workers and families, and the challenges are due to a lack of opportunities.”
“So if the Irish Government wants to remove this protection, it should put it to the people and have a referendum on it. 2-0072-0000”