Martin Browne (Tipperary, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I wish to send best wishes to Ambassador Aidan O'Hara and his family for what they have gone through.

At the Committee on Public Petitions earlier this year we discussed with the European Ombudsman various reports, among which was noted the changing world within which the EU operates and the response of the EU institutions to those changes. However, troubling issues remain, such as what the Ombudsman described as a porous ethical framework that has been found to exist. Qatargate was one, involving allegations of foreign governments buying and attempting to buy influence at the European Parliament. Of course that is just one incident of concern. I read that assurances were given and in light of Qatargate certain measures have been put in place. However, there are still concerns that the committee looking into breaches of the rules is not sufficiently independent and that it cannot independently investigate anything until the Parliament asks it to do so. Were Members comforted by assurances that work is being done to address the issues thrown up by recent controversies? How much further is there to go on this until the reputation of the EU institutions can recover significantly in the eyes of the public?

Since the Council we have witnessed the Al-Aqsa Mosque and the push by the Israeli government to further pursue far-right ideologies. However, Israel’s ongoing activities in the occupied territories, which amount to nothing less than apartheid, have long been present. Shortly before the EU Council meeting, a statement was issued citing the EU’s shared responsibility to prepare the ground for peace. What approach has this Government taken?

Finally, state aid rules were mentioned. Where are we on our belated application in regard to the forestry programme? Fine words about a robust and future-proof economy that secures long-term prosperity are all very well but if we are late in coming to the table when it comes to our own interests then the sector itself has been failed.

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