Gabhaim buíochas leis an Aire as ucht labhairt linn tráthnóna maidir le cad a thit amach ag Comhairle na hEorpa i Mí an Mhárta. Ar an gcéad dul síos, ba mhaith liom fáilte a chur roimh an fógra a tugadh ar maidin go bhfuil an Ungáir tar éis a veto a bhaint ar an gcabhair a bhí le tabhairt don Úcráin de bharr cinneadh na comhairle cúpla mí ó shin. It is a very welcome development and it is a testament to the fact that there has been a change of government in Hungary, which has removed the block to assistance being provided to the people of Ukraine. If I can, I want to touch on three points maidir le torthaí Comhairle na hEorpa. They are the ongoing focus, as Deputy Dolan rightly stated, for a laser-sharp approach to competitiveness. I will also discuss energy and the role the European Union can play in securing the affordability and security of our Union's energy supply. The third point is to make sure we keep online safety at the top of our minds, and the importance of the European authorities taking their responsibility very seriously with regard to the Digital Services Act. First, I want to touch on competitiveness. I welcome the conclusion from the Council about the need to drive on with the One Europe, One Market agenda. I welcome the ambition of trying to get that started this year. It is very important that the signal is sent, not only on the back of the Draghi report but also in terms of the actions the Commission is taking with regard to looking at the simplification of regulations across the Union, making it easier to do business, embedding principles like "once-only" in how individual businesses and companies engage with each other across the Union and, as Deputy Dolan said, really harnessing the power of the Single Market to make it a truly seamless experience and to make it really come to life for its citizens. In addition to that - this is an area where we in Ireland need to step up more as well - we need to create an SME ecosystem that is focused on helping SMEs not only start but scale up. Many times in recent months, President Macron has been quoted as saying that Europe needs to develop its own industrial champions. We need to develop our own commercial leaders. We cannot be overly reliant on other countries around the world for our software platforms, logistical support or whatever the case may be. We do need to create an ecosystem that not only supports SMEs but where they provide a product or service in the market that is good, strong and commercially viable, and that we incentivise and promote a scaling approach. While domestic policy can incentivise that, it is something that must be at the heart of the European Single Market policy as well. Turning to the affordability of energy, in March, the Commission announced that it was going to put in place a toolbox of measures to help member states deal with the energy crisis. This morning, there was some talk about reducing electricity taxes across the Union. In terms of the linkage between the Union and its citizens, it is really important that Irish people see the real impact of that toolbox of measures, and that they are made very visible in people's lives. As a Government, we must show the power of the European Union in co-ordinating not only energy affordability but also energy supply. We really need to start stepping up to the plate in regard to the development of a battery strategy, whether a national one here in Ireland or one that is developed at European Union level. Australia has set the template for how we should develop a battery strategy. That is key to securing not only energy security but also the long-term viability of renewable energy being the primary power source for our country, but also countries around the European Union. I draw the attention of the House to the need for us to continue to ensure that the European authorities exercise their responsibilities in a speedy and efficient way with regard to digital enforcement. There was a lot of discussion a few months ago about the importance of online safety and regulations. It is important for citizens to see that our membership of the European Union gives us access to fantastic things like the Single Market, but also to show that it gives us the regulatory teeth to take on multinational companies that are contravening their responsibilities under the Digital Services Act and threatening the online safety of young people and that they can be dealt with appropriately at that level. I know that is something the Minister of State, Deputy Thomas Byrne, and the Minister of State, Deputy Niamh Smyth, are actively pursuing with our European colleagues in order to achieve that.

Sentiment score: 0.29