This is the third in a series of debates on the EU labelled “This is Europe”, with Ireland’s Taoiseach Micheál Martin. In March, MEPs welcomed Estonian Prime Minister Kaja Kallas and in May, they exchanged views with Italian Prime Minister Mario Draghi. Intoduction speech by Roberta METSOLA, EP President.

debate

plenary session

METSOLA, Roberta (EPP, MT, EP President)

MARTIN, Micheál (IE)

president's agenda

This is Europe Debate (T)

This is Europe: Intoduction speech by Roberta METSOLA, EP President

https://api.multimedia.europarl.europa.eu/documents/20125/40393941/1654673791703_I226311Chapters%5BSD-EN%5D.srt

SOUNDBITE (English), Roberta METSOLA, President of the European Parliament, This morning we have the pleasure of welcoming Taoiseach Michael Martin, the Irish prime minister. Taoiseach, thank you for coming to address the European Parliament as part of our This is Europe debates. This year is an important one for Ireland in Europe and an important one for Europe with Ireland. It marks 50 years since the Irish people voted overwhelmingly in favour of joining the, what was then called, the European Economic Community. And 50 years on, we are pleased that Irish citizens support for the European projects remains extremely high.

SOUNDBITE (English), Roberta METSOLA, President of the European Parliament, The Irish Prime Minister being here with us in plenary is also an expression of Ireland's commitment. As Europe faces difficult times with an illegal and unprovoked invasion of Ukraine, over the years, the European Single Market has helped Ireland's economy become highly competitive. But Ireland continues to give a lot back to Europe, too: economically, politically and socially.

SOUNDBITE (English), Roberta METSOLA, President of the European Parliament, Economically, ireland's success story has allowed it to move from net recipient to net contributor to the EU budget. And politically, Ireland plays a central role in shaping common policies, particularly on finance, on the environment and on providing vital aid to Ukraine.

SOUNDBITE (English), Roberta METSOLA, President of the European Parliament, And here I must commend Ireland for being the first country in the European Union to waive the visa requirements for Ukrainians and for welcoming nearly 30,000 displaced Ukrainians who have sought shelter. We are all painfully aware that Ireland is particularly affected by Brexit and good relations with the United Kingdom remain in all our interests, especially in this new geopolitical context.

SOUNDBITE (English), Roberta METSOLA, President of the European Parliament, On Northern Ireland, all the European Union institutions are aligned. Renegotiating the protocol on Northern Ireland is not an option, and the European Parliament has reiterated its unwavering support for the protocol on several occasions and we remain fully committed to preserving the peace on the island of Ireland.

SOUNDBITE (English), Roberta METSOLA, President of the European Parliament, Last night, this Parliament officially took receipt of a gift from the Irish Government of a bust of former member of the European Parliament and Nobel Peace Price Laureate, John Hume. His legacy is an inspiration with regards to conflict resolution and with regards to respecting differences. His work in brokering peace on the island of Ireland and in hammering out the Good Friday Agreement is highly respected and honoured in this House. This Parliament is attached to multilingualism and with the Irish language now a fully fledged official EU language, let me say in Irish: Go raibh maith agat. Thank you.