Update from Aodhán in Brussels - June 2025

I spoke in Strasbourg demanding an end to the Association Agreement with Israel, in favour of the imposition of sanctions and against the attendance of Israeli ministers at the EU Southern Neighbourhood Ministerial Meeting. In Brussels on Monday, I spoke at a protest against Israeli presence at that meeting and I have publicly called out Fine Gael for their membership of the European People’s Party whose disgraceful attacks on UNRWA have resulted in the ongoing murder of people trying to collect aid. Yesterday I had the honour of meeting Amal Jadou, Palestinian Ambassador to the EU. Words cannot do justice to her inspiring bravery and unwavering resolve in the face of the genocide of her people. We must continue to oppose genocide at every level and opportunity we can. Keep marching, keep boycotting, and keep organising. We must use every tool at our disposal – mobilising public opinion, pressuring member states and engaging the Israeli public to make peace and the end of Genocide the only path forward.

See my speech on Gaza in the European Parliament

Meeting with Ambassador Amal Jadou

Anti-Poverty Strategy

In a continent as wealthy as Europe, there should be no place for poverty. Shockingly, as many as ninety-five million people and nearly a quarter of all children in the EU are living in or at risk of poverty. If the European Union is to remain relevant to its people, it has to be seen to address the basic needs of citizens. This is why I am so proud to be working as the Socialists and Democrats lead on the EU Anti-Poverty Strategy.

A strong, binding EU Anti-Poverty Strategy is a way to improve the lives of everyone across Europe.

I have spent the last 2 weeks asking for suggestions on how to strengthen the draft. I want to thank Labour Members as well as the Trade Unions and NGOs for all the suggestions and comments. Issues highlighted repeatedly included the following:

Decent jobs, strong workers’ rights and adequate social protections are essential for a life of dignity. We must address the issue of in-work poverty.
The exorbitant cost of childcare in many places continues to hold people back, women in particular are affected.
We must tackle the gendered nature of poverty through better maternity, paternity and parental leave and take action on issues like period poverty.
Structural discrimination continues to trap communities in poverty, and we must end the crippling stigma that often silences those affected.
In housing – affordability, tenant security and a plan to end homelessness in Europe must be central to this strategy.
The strategy needs to recognise literacy and numeracy. Around ninety-three million people face functional illiteracy, which is a massive barrier to social and economic inclusion.

For any strategy to have meaning, it has to be backed up by resources. We need a solid commitment from the Commission and member states to ensure that concrete measures to tackle poverty are at the core of the Multiannual Financial Framework.

Finally, one crucial element is that people living in poverty and those with experience of poverty must be at the table. Their voices must be heard in the development, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation of the strategy.

Budapest Pride

The Budapest Pride March is 30 years old this year and will go ahead in defiance of a disgraceful ban by the Hungarian Government. This ban is a huge challenge to basic human rights in the EU. The Mayor of Budapest is bravely supporting the parade by calling for “A Day of Freedom” to bypass the government’s prohibition. This weekend I will be participating in Dublin Pride with Labour LGBTQ+ and behind a banner expressing our solidarity with Budapest Pride.

Labour Party Brussels

Last night I was delighted the Party Leader was able to join us at the relaunch of the Labour Party Brussels Branch. Ivana was over for a meeting of the Socialist and Democrats party leaders from our sister parties across Europe. It was a great chance to reconnect with members and to re-establish such a previously active branch. I look forward to many more meetings and events.

– Aodhán Ó Ríordáin

Dublin MEP