Nina Carberry urges €433bn CAP, peace funding and online safety

Reoibhe maith agat, Cathaoirleach, Senators, colleagues. It's a privilege to speak here as an MEP for the Midlands North West. As this House knows, the constituency covers 15 counties and I want to take my time today to focus on the main areas of my work. I currently sit on four committees in the European Parliament, the Budget Committee, International Trade, Transport and Tourism and Culture. And as Ireland's only representative on the Budget Committee, I'll start on the next EU budget. The budget will run from 2028 to 2034. It is known as a multi-annual financial framework or MFF, but this comes at a uniquely challenging time. Never has there been so many demands on the EU budget. COVID, debt, defence, security, pressures and competitiveness. And at the same time, Europe must still fund its traditional priorities. As my group's lead negotiator on the budgetary assessment of the next cap, this is a main focus. In recent weeks, the Budget Committee backed a clear negotiating mandate. We backed a 10% overall increase from the Commission's original proposal. We also backed a 433 billion euro cap envelope and the aim is to restore previous cuts. And the ask is clear, restore the cap to at least 433 billion. It must also keep rural development funding as a separate pillar and that includes leader. And as funding is pushed towards defence, we cannot overlook food security. Food security is central to this equation. It is also something that I've been constant on throughout my mandate and that is why I've tabled safeguards to the Mercosur trade agreement and that is why I've highlighted inconsistency with the deal and that is why I supported referring it to the European Court of Justice. And the same consistency applies to the next common fisheries policy where I've also tabled amendments to protect funding for our coastal communities and fishing sector. Senators, the European Union is at its heart a peace project and we on this island understand that better than most. And while there is uncertainty about the future direction of EU priorities, I have been clear peace plus funding must be protected. It must be ring fenced. I recently had Gina McIntyre in Brussels. She is the head of the EU special bodies programme which distributes peace plus funding. It supports cross border education collaboration, it supports mental health workshops and it supports shared cross community sports facilities. Chair, as you will agree and you mentioned in your introduction the importance of the Good Friday Agreement and the importance of this funding. That brings me to the relationship between the European Union and the UK. It is a privilege to be appointed the trades committee lead spokesperson for relations with the UK. Ten years on from Brexit there is an important opportunity reset for the EU and UK relationship. That is especially true as Ireland prepares for the EU presidency and again here there is a clear objective. The European Parliament must be ready to conclude an agri food deal with the UK and we hope to see that agreed as well as a deal on energy trading and utility mobility in the upcoming July summit. Senators, another issue that is deeply personal to me and to many families across Ireland and Europe and that is the issue on dementia and Alzheimer's. The emotional, physical, financial pressure on families is immense. Unfortunately that pressure will only grow. Recent research has found that one in three people born today will develop Alzheimer's or dementia in their lifetime. By 2050 the number of people living with dementia in Europe is expected to rise by 58 percent. This is where the EU can and must step in. I've constantly asked for a boost in research investment. I have requested that the Commission enact a European action plan for brain health and I'm campaigning for investment in preventative health care and particular physical activity. And later this year we will build on that momentum and at the invitation of the Parliament President the FTD brothers will come to the European Parliament in Brussels. Many in this house know their story. They are running 33 marathons in 33 days to raise awareness of dementia and their message of hope and determination is an inspiration to us all and I hope they get a great crowd tomorrow of support and I know they're coming to the Dáil so I hope everyone gets out and supports them. And speaking of young people, Europe has unfinished business with the online world. We must do more to protect teenagers and children. Parents have genuine fears about the harm the online world can do and again this is where I am pressing for Europe to act. I'm working on tougher regulation of tech companies. I'm pushing for faster action by the Commission on social media platforms and I'm advocating for a ban on AR notifiers to be implemented and I've pressed the Commission to prohibit infinite scrolling, addictive algorithm design and to implement a robust privacy protecting age verification social media for social media. And this is another area where Ireland can play a key role. I recently wrote to the Taoiseach, Antoinette and Government Ministers and I urge that online safety be prioritized during the EU Irish Presidency and I'm delighted that it will now stand as a central pillar. But I want to end on a positive note and that also relates to young people. Europe is full of opportunity. One of the most important roles to communicate that is is that Europe can open doors through Erasmus, it can open doors through the EU Solidarity Corps and it can open doors through the Discover EU travel pass. Ireland's EU Presidency must communicate these opportunities clearly and widely. So on that note I want to leave it for there for now and thank you very much. Go raibh maith agat. Thank you very much Nina Cadbury. Thank you.