Barry Andrews MEP

#Gaza #EUCO @reuters.com

We’re happy to welcome to our #VOICEGA25 @barryandrewsmep.bsky.social for an exchange with our VOICE members.

🗨️ “With crises like what’s happening in #Gaza on our screens day after day, it shouldn’t take much to convince anyone that #humanitarian innovation must be a priority.”

#HumanitarianAction

While I know that I will continue to use my voice in Brussels to ensure that these concerns are heard.

Unfortunately, the EU requires unanimity for sanctions. This means having all 27 governments in favour, something that we haven’t arrived at yet.

I know that Irish voters want to see a suspension of the EU-Israel Association Agreement, sanctions on Israeli officials and an immediate ceasefire.

This is welcome news from the UK, Canada, New Zealand and Australia but it is long overdue.

Both of these far-right Ministers have consistently spoken in favour of the starvation of Palestinians and the expulsion of Palestinians from their land, both of which are war crimes.

Very good meeting today with @eirgrid.bsky.social in Dublin to discuss the role of the grid in Europe's energy transition.

Ireland's potential in this area is vast - now it's time to focus on delivery.

Great to chat to @padamson.bsky.social about EU-UK relations after the summit, the EU's new 'deregulatory' agenda, and the Irish Presidency of the Council in 2026.

Listen here 👇

With growing global crises and shrinking political will, we are risking turning away from the principles of humanity and dignity that ground our work. The EU must step up - not just with resources, but with clarity, courage, and coherence.

This week at the European Humanitarian Forum, I spoke about the state of humanitarian diplomacy at a time when the narrative around aid is shifting.

If EU diplomats can be the target of the IDF in the West Bank, imagine how the Palestinians are treated.

Netanyahu says he is engaged in a war of civilisation over barbarism, but the civilised world has concluded that it is the IDF that is engaged in a campaign of barbarism.

In a time where there are no political repercussions to cutting humanitarian aid budgets, it is more important than ever to prioritise a people-centered approach to our policy making.

Thanks to the @nrc-global.bsky.social for inviting me to a roundtable today to discuss defending humanitarian principles in times of crisis.

Many of my colleagues and I called on the @ec.europa.eu today to approach next week's EU-UK summit with maximum ambition.

Extensive EU-UK co-operation will make Europe stronger, safer, and more prosperous 🇪🇺🇬🇧

Today we had Commissioner @hadjalahbib.bsky.social in the DEVE Committee, where she highlighted the urgent need for a principled approach to humanitarian aid. Several MEPs raised the urgency of having a framework for fragile states and the importance of the EU responding to the withdrawal of USAID.

Robust evidence proving the positive impact of development assistance was presented this morning by the Pandemic Action Network & @odieurope.bsky.social. We need concrete evidence like this to take the argument in favour of ODA to the decision makers.

There is zero political cost to cutting development aid, just look at the US & several EU Member States.

The 1st panel discusses reform of the Global Financial Architecture 🇺🇳🇪🇺

🔸Shari Spiegel UNDESA
🔸Charles K. Maboshe Embassy of the Republic of Zambia in Brussels
🔸 @barryandrewsmep.bsky.social @reneweurope.bsky.social
🔸 @mariaronbalsera.bsky.social @cesr.bsky.social
🔸Maria João Rodrigues FEPS Pres

📸 ECDPM's Katja van der Meer speaks on the importance of ODA with EP DEVE Chair @barryandrewsmep.bsky.social and DG of DG INTPA Koen Doens, organised by the Pandemic Action Network and ODI Europe.

Katja on the impact of EU gender policy in the NDICI-Global Europe framework 👉 bit.ly/3L4zT8d

Delighted to take part in last night's rugby game with the European Parliament's own team 🏉🇪🇺

Many thanks to @president.europarl.europa.eu for her support!

Security needs more than hardware - it needs investment in people, stability and human dignity.

#EPlenary

If our warehouses are full with tanks and aircraft and every type of military equipment, how will that stop the next pandemic when we have a disastrous collapse in global health funding?

A balanced foreign policy means investing not just in defence, but in diplomacy, development and humanitarian aid.

The UK is not just a partner of the EU; it's a like-minded, strategic ally.

I called on the European Commission to approach the upcoming EU-UK summit with maximum ambition. We need to see progress on trade, energy, youth mobility, and finance.

It is in our towering interest to work together 🇪🇺🇬🇧

Great to meet the Banking & Payments Federation of Ireland today in Brussels to discuss payment fraud, the digital euro, and the Savings and Investment Union.

The Irish banking sector's experiences provide important learning opportunities and viewpoints for the European financial community.

Tomorrow at noon from the EU Parliament in Brussels, @aine-lawlor.bsky.social will be speaking to:

@barryandrewsmep.bsky.social (Fianna Fáil MEP)

@lnbdublin.bsky.social (Sinn Féin MEP)

Regina Doherty (Fine Gael MEP)

About #Trade #Gender and #Defence

#RTETWIP airs tomorrow @rteone.rte.ie

Digital infrastructure is vital to our economic and societal wellbeing, but it faces increasing risks from conflict and climate change. Our discussion today focused on the need to build resilience in this sector to protect European citizens and businesses.

Great to host industry partners and colleagues from the European Commission and the Council to discuss how the EU can safeguard its subsea cables.

I spoke on the Tonight Show last night about yesterday's developments on tariffs.

Watch or listen below 👇

The EU responded to US President Trump today with €22 billion in retaliatory tariffs.

I spoke to Claire Byrne this morning about the impact of tariffs for the European and Irish economy 👇

The execution of paramedics and the burying of an ambulance must count among the darkest episodes of this war.

Israel must understand that there is no military solution that can resolve the Palestinians' right to self-determination.

Violence feeds only more violence.

#EPlenary