Patricia Ryan (Kildare South, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I wish to speak briefly about Iran, which was addressed at the recent European Council meeting. I send my solidarity to the ordinary citizens of Iran, especially the women who are putting themselves at risk in challenging appalling human rights abuses. There needs to be a stronger response from the EU, not just on this issue, but on Iran's continuing support for Russia in the latter's brutal assault on Ukraine. The EU needs to go further to get the parties to that war around the table. There needs to be an agreed solution and that starts with a conversation. The EU must use its influence to make this happen. We saw last night how matters could escalate. Warmongering needs to stop. I implore the Minister of State to put equal effort into seeking peace.

The ongoing war has affected energy security and energy prices. The recent meeting proposed several solutions, which must be progressed immediately. We need a windfall tax on excess energy prices, we need voluntary joint purchases of gas and we need to address the decoupling of gas and electricity markets. The market approach is not working. It is feathering the nests of multinational energy companies at the expense of ordinary workers and families, in particular older people. Small businesses are dying on their feet and need a lifeline now.

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