Marian Harkin (Sligo-Leitrim, Independent) | Oireachtas source

Second, can the Minister of State assure me that balanced regional development is fully taken into consideration in that plan and that those sectors, particularly the agriculture sector, which are hardest hit by Brexit and especially along the Border are fully supported in the plan?

It is also crucial that all our fine words regarding the EU pillar of social rights and the Porto declaration are stitched into our recovery and resilience plans. When I was a Member of the European Parliament, I was proud to be able to influence and support the European Parliament's strong position on the European pillar of social rights. Now is the time to see the reality of those words. I was pleased to hear the Taoiseach's strong statements on LGBTQI fundamental rights and, indeed, those of Mr. Charles Michel. The EU must use all its powers under its treaties to ensure that fundamental rights for our LGBTQI brothers and sisters are in place. What is happening in Hungary is inhumane and fundamentally undermines all our human rights.

I fully endorse the sentiments of many of my colleagues regarding Belarus. I am privileged to have adopted Maksim Zinevich and I call for his release and the release of all political prisoners in Belarus. There must be an end to the repression of civil society and the silencing of independent media.

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