Thomas Byrne (Meath East, Fianna Fail)

On the simplification agenda, there is an agenda on reporting requirements that we support. What is happening at European Commission level is that every part of the Commission is coming forward with simplification proposals that have to get discussed in the European Parliament and at the Council of Ministers. The idea is to cut red tape, not to reduce our human rights compliance or environmental credentials but to protect jobs in Europe. What motivates me every day of the week is protecting jobs. We cannot have a strong voice around the world unless we have a strong economy. We will be supporting the simplification agenda, but we will be supporting the environmental and social agenda as well. Indeed, in terms of support to poorer countries with overseas development aid, Ireland is on an upward trajectory when other countries are on a downward trajectory.

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