Tom Clonan (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I echo the welcome of my fellow Senators for our MEPs and I shall make a number of short observations.

We are living in a time after emerging from Covid. Little did we foresee that we are living in a time of unprecedented crises and, to a certain extent, unprecedented existential crises in terms of what might or might not happen. The Zaporizhzhianuclear plant, which is the largest in Europe, is currently being shelled certainly by one side but possibly by both sides. We also have the ongoing threat, on the part of Vladimir Putin, of using so-called tactical nuclear weapons in his increasing frustration at the stalling of his campaign in Ukraine. The response by the European Union as Ukraine is a country within Europe has foregrounded our shared values not just our shared interests. Therefore, it is important that Ireland continues to give voice to its unique position as a neutral state. We should also continue to do so within the context of the European Union and all of the structures that are in play there.

One of the questions that was asked after Brexit and Britain's untimely exit from the European Union was what will happen to Britain now. That question has really been to the forefront of all of the discussion and our public discourse. I think that as time goes on the following question will be asked. What is going to happen to the European Union after Britain's exit? This is a European Union dominated by France and Germany, particularly in the context of the conflict in Ukraine and, hopefully, in its aftermath. Formerly, Ireland was a very important ally for Britain in the European Union and was often, despite what we might think, a very powerful voice for common sense within the European Union but that is gone now. They were also a very important linchpin in the transatlantic relationship between the United States and the European Union. While Britain is gone, and when we think about what direction the European Union will take, it is important that Ireland continues to have a very strong independent and neutral voice within the European Union.

I commend all of the MEPs on their work. I hope that in the working relationship between all of our MEPs there is collaboration and that we can advance Ireland's interests as the only English speaking member of the European Union in the period that is to come, which will continue to be a period of continued instability related to accelerated climate change, energy and food security issues. We need to keep that strong and neutral voice within the context of the European Union.