EU Presidency must deliver for struggling families – O’Donoghue
EU Presidency must deliver for struggling families – O’Donoghue - The Labour Party
Labour’s Rob O’Donoghue TD has urged Government to ensure that Ireland’s Presidency of the Council of the European Union delivers tangible benefits for people struggling with the cost of living, while protecting food security and Ireland’s farming sector. Speaking during Leaders’ Questions, Deputy O’Donoghue said the Presidency presents a unique opportunity to shape Europe’s future, but warned that it will mean little to families unless it produces real improvements in their daily lives.
Deputy O’Donoghue said:
“Families across Ireland are still under enormous financial pressure. Parents are struggling with childcare costs, households continue to face high grocery and energy bills, and many people simply want to know that politics is delivering for them. Ireland’s EU Presidency must never lose sight of those everyday realities.
“This Government has rightly identified important European priorities including competitiveness, security, enlargement and negotiations on the next Multiannual Financial Framework. These are significant decisions that will shape Europe for years to come. But Government must ensure that, while leading discussions in Brussels, it remains focused on the pressures people are facing here at home.
“Ireland also has an important responsibility to protect food security as negotiations on the next EU budget begin. Labour believes Government must oppose any attempt to weaken the Common Agricultural Policy or environmental priorities. As climate change brings more frequent droughts and extreme weather across Europe, protecting our capacity to produce food has become an economic and strategic necessity.
“Unfortunately, the Tánaiste’s response today failed to engage with these questions or provide meaningful clarity on the Government’s position. Labour is calling on the Government to use Ireland’s Presidency to protect food security, safeguard investment in the Common Agricultural Policy and ensure that the benefits of European leadership are felt by families facing ongoing cost of living pressures. People deserve to see this Presidency deliver practical results that improve their lives. Families, farmers and communities should see the benefits of Ireland’s leadership reflected not only in European agreements, but in improvements that make a difference to everyday life.”