On this week's episode of The Ring, Euronews' weekly debate show, we travel to Ireland, which has just taken over the rotating presidency of the Council of the European Union, to hear what issues are keeping politicians up at night.
We are joined by Ireland's Minister of State for International Development and Diaspora, Neale Richmond, and Sinn Féin Member of Parliament, TD Rose Conway-Walsh, to discuss the biggest issues facing the island nation and how it plans to steer the EU agenda over the next six months. The two politicians go head-to-head over what success should look like for Ireland's presidency. From defence and military neutrality to the Aughinish Alumina investigation, they argue that Ireland is ready for the challenges ahead.
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"Ireland is 0.9% of the European Union, but we've always punched above our weight," Richmond says, pointing to previous Irish presidencies that helped shape major European decisions.
Conway-Walsh argues that the presidency should reflect Ireland's core values. "This is a real opportunity for us to show what the real values of the Irish nation are. I think peace has to be central to that. But also equality."
Nevertheless, the two clash over Europe's push to strengthen its defence capabilities. Richmond insists there is "absolutely no pressure for us to join NATO" and argues that Ireland must deepen security cooperation with its European partners. Conway-Walsh counters that Ireland's military neutrality must remain protected, warning against what she describes as the European Union's "creeping militarisation".
This episode of The Ring is hosted by Méabh Mc Mahon and is produced by Luis Albertos Altarejos and Amaia Echevarria and edited and directed by Vassilis Glynos.
You can contact us at: thering@euronews.com