Ivana Bacik (Dublin Bay South, Labour) | Oireachtas source

Ar son Pháirtí an Lucht Oibre cuirim fáilte mhór roimh an Uachtaráin Metsola go dtí Tithe an Oireachtais. President Metsola is welcome. As Ireland marks 50 years of membership of the European Union, we remember the economic and social progress we have made together but we also recall the hard lessons, particularly from during the economic crash, when serious mistakes were made by the EU and the European Central Bank, ECB, which we felt here. Thankfully, more recently the positive principles of solidarity and collective action have been central to the European response to the Covid-19 pandemic and Putin’s brutal war on Ukraine. What those crises have shown is the critical importance of the role of the state and the fact that over-reliance on the market will not solve the complex problems we face.

Two immediate and pressing challenges that require a strong European response are the war in Ukraine and the climate catastrophe. First, since Russia's brutal invasion a year ago, we have seen nearly 5 million refugees flee Ukraine. Across the EU we have seen countries acting generously in response. Other wars in Syria, Yemen and elsewhere, combined with the impact of climate change, have led to more people seeking international protection, both here and in other European countries. What we need to see in response is a collective approach at European level to migration policy, one that recognises the benefits of inward migration to our Continent, supports countries in meeting their international obligations and shows what we call céad míle fáilte to those who come here seeking refuge.

As we see today, the historic meeting of EU Commissioners in Kyiv is showing welcome solidarity and practical support for Ukraine in terms of accession to the EU, in its rebuilding effort and in seeking to win the war. At that level, I urge that, as part of that solidarity message, we see the introduction of an EU-wide cohesion and integration fund, ring-fenced for supporting countries and communities that are offering a welcome and supports to those fleeing war and persecution. Such a financial programme would have a positive benefit, recognising that people and communities need support for integration.

Second, the climate crisis is an existential threat for all of us and we support President von der Leyen's strong leadership on a new green deal at EU level. However, we need to see more accelerated and urgent action. Debates over the proposed energy performance of buildings directive show we still have some way to go, with conservative groupings seeking less ambitious retrofit targets. We also need to see the EU do more to acknowledge the role of air transport in climate change. Like President Metsola's home country of Malta, we too are an island but we have to acknowledge that it is incomprehensible that aviation fuel is not taxed for its carbon emissions. We should see action on this at EU level.

As the Labour Party is a member of the second largest grouping in the European Parliament, the Party of European Socialists, PES, we look forward to working le chéile san Eoraip with our sister parties to achieve a more equal Europe, our vision of a social democratic future for all the peoples of our European Continent.

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