Ireland’s EU Presidency must prove “the centre can still deliver” - Cowen
Fianna Fáil MEP for Midlands North-West Barry Cowen has told Seanad Éireann that Ireland’s upcoming Presidency of the Council of the European Union must demonstrate that “the centre can still deliver” at a time of growing political fragmentation and global uncertainty.
Addressing Senators in Leinster House alongside fellow Midlands-North-West MEPs, Cowen said Ireland’s Presidency should focus on practical outcomes in areas including competitiveness, agriculture, trade, security and Europe’s long-term budget framework.
The Midlands North-West MEP said that while Ireland’s role during the Presidency would be to act as an honest broker rather than pursue a “national wishlist”, Ireland still had an opportunity to shape Europe’s agenda and deliver meaningful progress.
"As we prepare for the Presidency of the EU Council, our role will not be to arrive with a national wish list, but to act as an honest broker, but that does not mean lacking ambition.
"We should aim to advance the next EU budget, strengthen competitiveness, support food security, drive sensible trade policy and reinforce Europe’s strategic resilience," Cowen said.
Cowen also warned that politics across Europe is increasingly being shaped by louder and more polarised voices.
"We live at a time when extremes on both the left and right are becoming louder and, frankly, bolder. Simple slogans, fear and anger all travel quickly.
"Governing and legislating is more difficult than protesting. Compromise is more difficult than outrage and delivery is harder than both," he added.
The Fianna Fáil MEP argued that maintaining confidence in European institutions would require practical results rather than rhetoric.
"Good politics is rarely loud politics. Good politics is serious, practical and evidence-based. It’s built on relationships, compromise and on delivering results. We should continue demonstrating that the centre can still deliver," the MEP stated.
In his remarks, the Midlands North-West MEP also highlighted work undertaken across his committee responsibilities in agriculture, trade and housing.
On agriculture, he outlined efforts around protecting CAP funding, retaining Ireland’s nitrates derogation and addressing generational renewal in farming.
On international trade, he stressed the need for agreements that are “fair” and based on “reciprocity”, while also highlighting work to strengthen safeguards around trade deals and deepen strategic relationships with partners including the US and UK.
On housing, Cowen said that while “Brussels will not build houses in Ireland”, Europe can play a role in facilitating delivery through greater State Aid flexibility and improved access to financing.