Mary Lou McDonald (Dublin Central, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

EU leaders are meeting this week at another crucial period for the protocol. It has never been more important that the North has a voice in Europe. On Monday, Assembly Members in the North backed a motion calling for direct dialogue between the Assembly and the European Parliament. Sinn Féin has consistently raised the need for continued representation of the North at an EU level throughout the sorry saga of Brexit and the negotiation process. The people of the North must not be silenced by Brexit; their voices must be heard.

The Taoiseach will not need me to remind him that the people of the North voted to reject Brexit and remain in the EU, but were dragged out by the British Government against their will. As a result of that, the protocol was necessary to protect communities in the North. It protects the Good Friday Agreement, protects our all-island economy and prevents a border on our island. The protocol has been in place for several months and while there have been issues to iron out, businesses and communities are keen to find workable and practical solutions. Despite the loud rhetoric of a small minority within political unionism, there is majority support among the public, political parties and Assembly Members for the protocol. Many businesses are finding that the protocol provides considerable opportunities for them as their unique position gives them access to British and EU markets.

As the Taoiseach will know, last week the Vice-President of the European Commission, Maroš Šefčovič, announced a series of proposals to address issues around the protocol and deliver practical, workable solutions for businesses. My colleagues and I have engaged extensively with Vice-President Šefčovič on the protocol and left him in no doubt about the support there is in the North and across Ireland for the protocol. It is time for political leaders to engage with these proposals seriously. Political grandstanding and rhetoric help no one and solve nothing. I dearly hope our colleagues within political unionism will respond to these proposals with the same commitment to finding solutions that we have shown.

As we are at this vital stage, I ask the Taoiseach to make clear to our European colleagues the depth and strength of support within the North for the protocol. Will the Taoiseach make clear to EU leaders the expressed views of MLAs on the need for direct dialogue between the Assembly and the European Parliament? Will he ensure that the people of the North have a voice in Europe and that their voice is heard loud and strong?

The Taoiseach cannot be in any doubt about the cost of the energy crisis which is hitting ordinary workers and families. Prices are spiralling and becoming unaffordable for many on ordinary incomes. We must tackle this cost-of-living crisis and ensure ordinary people get a break from their sky-high energy bills. Earlier this month, European finance ministers met in Luxembourg to discuss this crisis. That meeting was chaired by the Taoiseach's Government colleague, the Minister for Finance, Deputy Donohoe. Despite this, we have heard nothing from the Minister about what solutions were discussed at the meeting and what this Government will do domestically and at European level to meet this crisis.

We know that solutions are there if the will is there. Spain, for example, is cutting VAT on electricity and targeting €2.6 billion in excess profits from utilities that have benefited from the rising gas and electricity prices. France is blocking further gas and electricity price hikes until the spring and has also increased energy vouchers for the lowest income households. Italy has allocated €3 billion to cancel system costs on household bills and allocate more for social supports. I could go on. Meanwhile, here in Ireland little has been done to protect our citizens from the crippling cost of energy price hikes. That is not good enough. The Government has failed to tackle the cost of the energy crisis with the urgency it deserves. I am asking the Taoiseach if he will work urgently with European leaders to tackle energy price hikes and ensure Irish citizens get the break they need from these spiralling costs. Will he prioritise this at the European Council and ensure the issue of energy prices gets the attention it deserves?

At the European Council we also have a vital opportunity to stand up for our fishing communities and ensure fishermen get a fair deal. Government after Government has failed our fishing communities and this Government has sadly become no exception. Last week, the report of the seafood task force released by the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine was yet another blow for Irish fishermen. It acknowledged the Government’s failure to stand up and defend Irish fisheries during the Brexit negotiations and subsequent trade deal with Britain. It is proposed to decommission 60 vessels from an already reduced Irish fishing fleet.

While temporary cessation and voluntary permanent decommissioning may suit a small number of people in the fishing industry, for the majority, these proposals are another body blow to an industry that is fighting for its survival.

Where is the commitment to seek full reform of the Common Fisheries Policy? Where is the commitment to seek fair and equal burden sharing, new quota and new opportunities? I am urging the Taoiseach once again to stand up for Irish fishermen and deliver full reform of the Common Fisheries Policy to meet our fishing communities' needs and protect their livelihoods. We have been here many times before. Fishers do not need vague promises or more lofty rhetoric from the Taoiseach or anyone else. He must take their fight to the heart of Europe and fight for fairness for Irish fishermen. Will he fight for our fishing communities at the European Council? That is the challenge.

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