Cliona Connolly

Three defining points of the EPP Group: 🇪🇺 Pro-Europe. 🇺🇦 Pro-Ukraine. ⚖️Pro-rule of law. None of them are negotiable.

Europe must become the world’s laboratory, where the best medicines and treatments are being developed, where we train the best doctors and nurses, and where the next generation of pioneers in medical research and innovation are born. #EPP4Health #WorldHealthDay

NEW EU RULES TARGET PARCELS FROM TEMU, SHEIN, ALIEXPRESS   The EPP Group welcomes the positive outcome of tonight’s negotiations between the European Parliament and Member States on the reform of the EU Customs Code. "The European Parliament and the Council have reached a historic agreement on the most significant reform of European customs legislation since 1968. The new rules address the explosive growth of e-commerce: last year, 5.8 billion low-value parcels entered the EU," says @dirkgotink MEP, the Parliament’s negotiator on this law. The new law has four core pillars: e-commerce traders will be responsible for the goods they send to consumers, a new levy will cover increased processing costs for our customs, a central EU Customs Authority, and an EU data hub will provide a real-time, integrated overview of goods flows. Platforms that structurally fail to comply with our rules will face a fine. Systematic and repeated non-compliance will lead to stricter penalties of up to 6% of annual imports and the suspension of an online e-commerce platform. "The goal: an internal market that no longer leaves platforms such as Temu, Shein and AliExpress untouched while putting massive amounts of non-compliant goods on the European market and unfairly competing with our businesses," Gotink explains.  "This will make the single market significantly safer and fairer for consumers and businesses," Gotink concludes eppgroup.eu/newsroom/new-e…

Today’s last ditch effort to find agreement to prolong the rules temporarily failed. After certain Amendments were passed, it was clear it would be impossible to conclude the legislative work required before the April 3rd deadline.

From 4 April, the voluntary detection of child sexual abuse material (CSAM) online in interpersonal communication by platforms will be impossible - due to MEP votes today. Some background: irishexaminer.com/news/arid-4181…

Let's correct some misperceptions. This vote WAS NOT about the so-called “chat-controls”. It was about a straightforward extension of the current rules without changing their scope. It preserved the existing derogation and all safeguards, including the protection of end-to-end encryption and the prohibition of general monitoring. This is exactly what the Parliament has done in the past.

Two Irish MEPs voted against: Funchion (SF/Left) & McNamara (Ind/Renew)

SOCIALISTS ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR LEAVING CHILDREN UNPROTECTED The EPP Group condemns today’s move by Socialists, together with Renew, ECR and Greens, to table new amendments that have derailed the extension of EU rules against online child sexual abuse – just days before the current law expires on 3 April. This plays directly into the hands of online sex predators. From the outset, it was clear: any changes beyond the EPP Group’s single technical amendment – already backed by Member States – would kill the deal by forcing the file back into lengthy negotiations, leaving no time to avoid a protection gap. By taking this path, these groups have blocked the only workable solution to maintain detection and reporting of child sexual abuse online. “Despite EPP efforts, S&D failed to lead the process, preventing an agreement with EU Member States. This is completely irresponsible,” said Javier Zarzalejos MEP, EPP Group negotiator on the file. “Protecting children is not optional,” said Lena Düpont MEP, EPP Group spokeswoman on Legal and Home Affairs. “Stop hiding behind excuses and take responsibility. This leaves children exposed and offenders unchallenged.” What is illegal offline must also be illegal online. Reports of child sexual abuse have surged from 1 million in 2010 to over 20 million in 2024, while online grooming has increased twelvefold in just three years. Extending the current rules was not a final fix, but a necessary bridge. Forcing new negotiations now risks a legal vacuum, leaves children exposed, and weakens law enforcement across Europe. @zarzalejosj @LenaDuepontMdEP 📰epp.group/hnx8nb88

Majority of Renew, Left and ESN far-right MEPs voted to support the Greens' failed bid to prevent tomorrow's vote at @Europarl_EN on prolonging the detection of child abuse material online. (See votes in favour below.) #CSAM

Vote will go ahead tomorrow, despite an attempt by the Greens to remove it from the agenda: x.com/ep_justice/sta…

Congratulations to @McGuinnessEU on your appointment as the new EU Special Envoy for the Promotion of Freedom of Religion or Belief outside the EU. Former EP Vice-President responsible for Article 17 (TFEU) Dialogue between EU Institutions, Churches and religious associations, and former EPP Group Member of our Intercultural & Religious Dialogue WG, you bring invaluable experience. A strong signal for future cooperation and stepping up freedom of religion globally - especially as Christians are widely considered the most persecuted religious group in the world today.

Very urgent vote at @Europarl_EN tomorrow to prolong detection of child abuse material online. The Greens in the EP have opposed interim measures on #CSAM at EU level since 2021 and are trying to block the vote even happening this week. childrensrights.ie/press-release/…

"By advancing ambitious trade agreements with reliable partners like Australia, we reinforce a rules-based global trading system that benefits businesses, workers and consumers alike," said @SeanKellyMEP. Read: epp.group/blaybnkv #EUAustralia

After many years in the works, the conclusion of the negotiations between the EU and Australia on a Free Trade Agreement marks a new beginning for our relations with such a crucial ally. Political cooperation, trade, multilateralism and promotion of democracy, remain the cornerstone of our partnership 🇪🇺🇦🇺

NO DELAYS NO HESITATION JUST CHILD PROTECTION We call on @TheProgressives to protect children, not online predators! It is absolutely critical that the interim rules on the detection and reporting of child sexual abuse are extended. The current Interim Regulation will expire on 3 April! If no agreement is found by then, there will be a major legal gap in the protection of children from sexual abuse.

‘Overwhelming support’ to scrap the ‘outdated’ biannual clock change, says @SeanKellyMEP thesun.ie/news/16721157/… MEP Kelly and chair of @Europarl_EN's Biannual Clock Change Working Group has called on the Irish Govt to work on scrapping the clock change after this weekend.

The EPP Group welcomes the trade agreement with Australia as a key step towards strengthening the EU’s global partnerships. At a time of rising uncertainty, it underscores Europe’s commitment to open, rules-based trade and closer ties with trusted Indo-Pacific partners. The deal is expected to reinforce supply chains, drive growth, and enhance Europe’s global standing. Read: eppgroup.eu/newsroom/eu-au…

“Europe’s strength lies in cooperation, not isolation. By advancing ambitious trade agreements with reliable partners like #Australia, we reinforce a rules-based global trading system that benefits businesses, workers and consumers alike,” - @SeanKellyMEP eppgroup.eu/newsroom/eu-au…