22/04/2021 | 11:07:15 Thank you, Chair. I welcome the opportunity to speak on this very important date. I want to commend the rapporteur Mr Jacques MAIRE in relation to his speech. I felt it was very measured and very balanced and his recommendations are proportionate and hugely, hugely important. We have spent the last three days talking about human rights, talking about upholding democracy and this case goes to the very, very core of those. The world is watching what is happening at the moment. We in the Council... 22/04/2021 | 09:44:19 Good morning, Mister President. Good morning, Minister Michael ROTH. Thank you for your engagement this morning. I noticed that one of your previous political mottos was about heart and about steadfastness. I think that's good because you clearly show understanding and compassion, and resolute and commitment also. I think that the topics that you touched on this morning were important around the whole area of enhancing social cohesion within Europe and looking at the whole area of populism. I... 21/04/2021 | 10:43:40 Thank you Mr President and greetings from Dublin, President Sassoli, it is very good to see you and to listen to your very valued engagement. You have said that we cannot return to the world before the pandemic, that we need more democracy, and that we need more solidarity. Can I assure you that we are ready and willing to work with you in the pursuit of that in a very positive way. Thank you for addressing the issue in relation to Turkey withdrawing from the Istanbul Convention – it is very... 20/04/2021 | 10:40:26 Thank you, President. And you're very welcome, Madam Chancellor. You've always been a true champion of democracy, of international cooperation, of hope and of solidarity. Your inspirational leadership played an absolutely crucial role in managing the European financial crisis and negotiating the stimulus package, which of course we will need more of post-Covid. I also want to acknowledge your compassion and humanitarian response to the migration crisis. You truly led the way in Europe. I... 19/04/2021 | 18:35:26 Thank you, Madam Chair. I wish to commend the rapporteur for her report on preserving minority rights, which warns of rising hate speech, insufficient levels of communication and education in minority languages, and how states need to consult with minority groups to inform policies and legislation. And I want to whole-heartedly endorse and support the recommendations that she makes on behalf of the Irish delegation. As we know, the Framework Convention, which was adopted in 1994, sets out... 27/01/2021 | 18:02:51 Good afternoon and thank you for giving me the opportunity to speak on this excellent report. Firstly, I want to commend the rapporteur for her work and, of course, the excellent amendments that are there. I am inclined to agree with Lord Leslie GRIFFITHS with his point that maybe there should be some work in exploring the different types of NGOs and the type of value that they bring to our society, because it's important to discern the excellent work that is in the main done from those that...