Speech by Tánaiste at EPP Group Study Days

President Weber, Mayor Cubbard, EPP colleagues, distinguished guests, dear friends,

 

Céad míle fáilte go Gaillimh.

 

It is a genuine pleasure to address you here this evening as Leader of Fine Gael and Tánaiste of Ireland.

 

To gather here – on Ireland’s Atlantic coast, on the very western edge of Europe, in a city defined by openness, culture and connection to the wider world – is especially fitting at this moment for Europe.

 

Because in just 21 days’ time, Ireland will assume the Presidency of the Council of the European Union for the eighth time.

 

It is a responsibility we approach with humility.

 

But also with confidence.

Confidence in Europe.

 

Confidence in Ireland’s ability to lead.

 

And confidence in the enduring values and strength of the political family gathered here tonight – the European People’s Party.

 

Because the EPP has always understood something fundamental: Europe is strongest when it combines ambition with pragmatism.

 

When it defends freedom while delivering prosperity.

 

When it protects our values while responding to the very real concerns of citizens.

 

And tonight, as we look ahead to Ireland’s Presidency, I want to speak about precisely that mission.

 

Because earlier this afternoon, the government of Ireland launched the priorities that will guide Ireland’s Presidency of the European Union.

 

And there are three clear priorities that we will drive forward over the next six months:

 

Competitiveness, Values and Security

These three pillars will be the central themes of the Irish Presidency.

 

They are interlocking and mutually reinforcing.

 

We will work intensively on proposals within each pillar, as well as on priorities which span all three – including our ongoing support for Ukraine and continued economic prosperity for our Union.

 

Because Europe cannot afford to think in silos.

 

Competitiveness requires security.

 

Security depends on shared values.

 

And values are sustained only when citizens believe Europe can improve their lives.

 

That is the challenge before us.

 

And it is also the opportunity.

 

 

 

 

 

Firstly – competitiveness.

 

Europe must once again become the best place in the world to innovate, invest, create and build.

 

The global economy is changing rapidly.

 

The technologies shaping our future – artificial intelligence, life sciences, clean energy and semiconductors – are being contested in real time.

 

And Europe faces fierce competition.

 

From America.

 

From China.

 

And from a rapidly changing global marketplace.

 

Our response cannot be hesitation.

 

It must be ambition.

 

The European Union must remain a place where businesses can grow, where entrepreneurs can innovate, and where workers and families can prosper.

 

That means reducing unnecessary barriers.

 

It means deepening our Single Market and Capital Markets.

 

It means backing research, innovation and skills.

 

And it means ensuring that the green transition and digital transition are engines of growth and opportunity – not sources of division.

 

As a trading nation, Ireland understands this deeply.

 

We know openness matters.

 

We know competitiveness matters.

 

And we know now not tomorrow is the time to be ambitious.

 

That is why facilitating timely agreement on the Union’s budget for 2028–2034 – a new Multiannual Financial Framework – will be an overarching priority for the Irish Presidency.

 

We need a budget that equips Europe to address the challenges of the future while continuing to support the policies that matter deeply to our citizens and communities – including the Common Agricultural Policy and Cohesion Policy.

 

For Ireland, this matters profoundly.

 

For our farmers.

 

For our regions.

 

And for communities right across Europe who depend on solidarity and cohesion.

 

Secondly – values.

 

At a time of polarisation and instability, Europe must remain anchored in the principles that define us.

 

Democracy.

 

Freedom.

 

Human dignity.

 

The rule of law.

 

Respect for human rights.

 

These are not abstract ideas.

 

They are our European values.

 

And they are worth defending.

 

As members of the EPP family, we know Europe succeeds when we remain steadfast in defending democratic institutions and rejecting extremism.

 

We know that Europe is not merely a market.

 

Europe is a community of values.

 

That matters now more than ever.

 

Because we live in a moment when democracy is under pressure.

 

Authoritarianism seeks to undermine confidence in democratic systems.

 

And populism from the far left and far right often offers easy slogans instead of serious solutions.

 

Our answer must not be fear.

 

It must be leadership.

 

Leadership to strengthen online safety, in particular the safety of our children online.

 

And leadership that shows that Europe works best when it is united and outward-looking.

 

That also means standing unwaveringly with Ukraine.

 

The people of Ukraine continue to fight not just for their own sovereignty, but for the principles upon which modern Europe was built.

 

Ireland’s Presidency will continue to support Ukraine politically, economically and morally.

 

Because Europe cannot tire.

 

And Europe cannot look away.

Thirdly — security.

 

The first responsibility of politics is to protect citizens.

 

Security today means many things.

 

It means supporting Europe’s defence and resilience.

 

It means energy security.

 

Economic security.

 

Cybersecurity.

 

Food security.

 

And border security.

 

It means tackling organised crime and gender based violence.

 

Protecting critical infrastructure.

 

And ensuring that Europe is prepared for an increasingly uncertain world.

But security is also about resilience.

 

The resilience of our economies.

 

The resilience of our democracies.

 

And the resilience of our partnerships.

 

That brings me to one relationship in particular – the transatlantic relationship.

 

I know that your conference here over the next three days will focus on the future of EU-US relations and competitiveness.

 

The EPP understands that Europe and America are at their strongest when we work together.

We also all know the trade relationship with the United States has been more challenging recently.

 

The EU-U.S. trading relationship is the most valuable in the world, with €4.6 billion in goods and services traded across the Atlantic each day.

 

We want to protect and enhance that partnership.

Cooperation, engagement and dialogue is the best way forward to address the challenges facing both the EU and US.

 

The EU-U.S. Joint Statement, agreed in August 2025, confirmed a single 15% tariff on EU goods, and provided much-needed clarity for EU and U.S. companies. Implementation of the Joint Statement remains our immediate priority.

 

I welcome political agreement at EU level on implementation of the trade deal and encourage all in the European Parliament to back the deal at next week’s vote at plenary in Strasbourg.

 

It is important that we begin to implement what was agreed in the Joint Statement with the US if we are to explore further opportunities to reduce tariffs and address non-tariff barriers.

 

The EPP and Ireland in particular has always been a bridge between America and Europe.

 

And as we prepare to assume the Presidency of the European Union – we will continue to be that bridge.

 

Confident in our European future.

 

Proud of our transatlantic partnership.

 

And ambitious for what we can achieve together.

 

And for me the EPP is the only party that can lead this ambistious agenda.

 

It is particularly meaningful that we gather here in Galway, Ireland, as the European People’s Party approaches a special milestone.

 

This year, we celebrate 50 years of the EPP – fifty years of championing democracy, freedom, solidarity and opportunity across our continent.

 

And for Fine Gael, this anniversary carries particular pride.

 

Because Fine Gael was there at the beginning – a founding member of the EPP in 1976.

 

For half a century, Fine Gael has believed in a simple but profound idea: that Ireland’s future is strongest at the heart of Europe.

 

Even though we are a small island on the western edge of Europe we have always been the party that saw Europe not as a distant institution, but as a partnership of shared values and shared opportunity.

 

That is why Fine Gael has long been known as the party of Europe in Ireland.

 

And it is why Ireland’s upcoming Presidency of the Council of the European Union feels especially significant.

 

In 21 days, Ireland will once again help shape the European agenda at a moment of profound consequence for our continent.

 

For Fine Gael, this Presidency is not simply an institutional responsibility.

 

It is a chance to put into action the values we have championed for generations – strengthening competitiveness, defending our democratic values, protecting our citizens, and ensuring Europe remains outward-looking, ambitious and united.

 

Over the next six months, we will work in partnership with EPP colleagues across governments, the European Parliament and all EU institutions to drive progress on our shared priorities: strengthening Europe’s competitiveness, defending the values that underpin our Union, and enhancing security for our citizens.

 

Together, we can ensure Europe remains economically strong, politically confident, outward-looking and united in the face of profound global challenges.

 

Before I conclude – a few thank you’s!

 

Thank you to all of you who have travelled here to Galway this week for these study days.

 

Thank you Manfred for your continuous and strong leadership of the EPP and EPP Group.

 

I also want to take this opportunity to acknowledge and thank our outstanding Fine Gael delegation in the European Parliament for their tireless work on behalf of Ireland and Europe – thank you Sean, Regina, Nina and Maria.

 

And a particular note of thanks on this occasion to Fiona Kearns and Cliona Connolly – our Irish EPP Group staff – who I know do stellar work on your behalf behind the scenes in the European Parliament every day.

 

Once again go raibh míle maith agaibh go léir and I wish you every success with your Study Days here in Galway!