Europe Day: Statements
Dail Éireann — 2023-05-09
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Stephen Donnelly (FF), Wicklow

I would like to thank the Deputy for bringing this matter to my attention. I understand that the issue is now substantially resolved.
However, as the maintenance of the register of Nurses and Midwives is an operational matter for the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland (NMBI), I have also referred the question to the NMBI for its attention and direct response to the Deputy.
As we encourage all parties to the Good Friday Agreement to recapture the spirit and determination of 1998, I appeal to the European Union to also seek to capture some of that spirit and lean into peacebuilding as opposed to militarisation. There are some within the EU who see seismic events as an opportunity to advance long-held ambitions to increase militarisation and undermine national sovereignty. It is particularly unfortunate that they have found truck with some in Irish political life who see this as an opportunity to water down our long-standing military neutrality that has served us well.
I contend that recent events underscore the need for Ireland and the EU to stand as champions of peace and democracy, not only in Europe but across the globe. We rightly stand with Ukraine in both our words and actions, and those words and actions must be replicated in respect of other parts of the world, particularly in support of the Palestinian people and against Israeli apartheid.
As in other areas, Ireland can help lead Europe to the right position. Our tradition as a neutral and independent State and our experience of colonialism and occupation and of peacemaking must be harnessed for the greater good of our own country, Europe and the world. Europe Day provides an opportunity. Just as we have always made it clear that our place is in the EU, so also have the Irish people been categoric that the EU must be a vehicle that respects national sovereignty, upholds the principles of democracy and rule of law and puts the interests of citizens, workers, families and communities ahead of the interests of corporations. Europe Day provide us with an opportunity to reflect and to rededicate ourselves to those ambitions for both Ireland and Europe.

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Record URI: https://data.oireachtas.ie/akn/ie/debateRecord/dail/2023-05-09/debate/main
Retrieved: 2026-08-14T04:51:51+00:00
Sitting date: 2023-05-09