I thank the Chair and the Senators for the invitation to be here today and to meet and discuss the issues pertaining to what is an important moment associated with the Irish Presidency, which is almost upon us. I begin with a point that may seem obvious, but which I think is worth making. The role of an MEP is different from that of a councillor, a TD or a Minister, and I have had the privilege of serving in all of those roles. As a councillor, you deal with the immediate concerns of your communities. As a TD, you …

As we prepare for the Presidency of the Council, our role will not be to arrive with a national wish list, but to act as an honest broker. That does not mean lacking ambition. We should aim to advance the EU budget, strengthen competitiveness, support food security, drive sensible trade policy and reinforce Europe's strategic resilience. Perhaps more importantly, we should continue to demonstrate that the dissenter can deliver. This is the last paragraph, seriously.

I have old scores to settle here. We live at time of extremes on both the left and right, and they are becoming louder and, frankly, much bolder. Simple slogans travel quickly, unfortunately. Fear and anger travel quickly but governing and legislating are far more difficult than protesting. Compromise is much more difficult than outrage and delivery is harder than both. After 30 years or more in public life, I remain convinced of something simple: good politics is rarely loud politics. Good politics is serious, pra…

Like Ms Carberry, I will do my best to try to respond, even briefly, to many of the points that have been made. I thank Senators for the contributions and input. On CAP funding and the 20% drop that is inevitable in the context of the commitment that has been made to defence and security, which we cannot disregard either, Europe has been successful when it is unified. It was unified on Brexit. It was unified on Covid vaccination programmes, in its response to the war in Ukraine and Europe's overdependence on Russia…

Is that true?

Is Mr. Mullooly saying beef is going into schools? That is dangerous.

Dangerous.

Into Irish schools?

Did he tell Mr. Mullooly that? Did Mr. Mullooly fact-check that?

Mr. Mullooly might fact-check that.

Be honest.

I will try to run through some answers to the various questions. For those we cannot answer, we will definitely remain in close contact in the coming weeks to respond to them. In relation to the issue of Irish school meals supposedly being compromised, I refute that. I disagree with it wholeheartedly. If Mr. Mullooly has evidence of that I ask that he lays it on the table. If he has not, he should withdraw it and let us move on. The Common Fisheries Policy is under review at present and will be under the Irish Pres…

There is an agreement between the UK and Ireland.

That is not what Mr. Mullooly said.

That is not what he said an hour ago.

It has been stopped.

There is no school impact.

It is pure scaremongering.

There is no proof then.

Is Mr. Mullooly saying-----