My Weekly Update | 7–13 September 2026
Between flights, committee meetings and events, the week can fly by. But I want to bring you along and give you a closer look at what I’m working on for you as your MEP, the people I’m meeting and the issues I’m pushing in Brussels.
Housing was top of my agenda this week, because I know how much pressure people across Dublin are under trying to rent or buy a home. There were also some lovely moments: welcoming a group of young Dubliners to the Parliament and opening an exhibition celebrating Irish literature during our EU Presidency. Here’s a little of what I got up to.
Bringing Dublin’s young voices to Europe
It was EPP Youth Week, and I was delighted to bring a fantastic group from Dublin to Brussels for the EPP Young Leaders Programme.
They joined young people from across Europe to exchange ideas, meet decision-makers and discuss the challenges facing their generation, from housing and education to employment and technology. The opportunity to meet European Parliament President Roberta Metsola was a particular highlight.
These visits matter. Decisions taken in Brussels shape young people’s lives, and they deserve a meaningful voice in those decisions. I want more young Dubliners to see the European Parliament as somewhere they belong, where their experiences count and where they can help shape what happens next.
Celebrating Irish literature in the Parliament
A special highlight was opening Súil Amach – An Outward Eye in the European Parliament, on behalf of Ministers Patrick O’Donovan and Helen McEntee.
The exhibition celebrates 24 contemporary Irish writers through a striking series of portraits by photographer and filmmaker Conor Horgan. Part of Cultúr 2026, it brings Irish literature into the heart of Europe during our EU Presidency.
Ireland’s stories have always travelled far beyond our shores. It was a privilege to celebrate the writers continuing that tradition, and to thank Literature Ireland, Culture Ireland and everyone who helped bring this exhibition to Brussels.
Housing: Europe must do better
This week, I challenged the European Commission over its new Affordable Housing Act. After almost two years of work, people struggling to rent or buy deserved a proposal that matched the scale of the crisis. In my view, this falls well short.
Measures to help local authorities tackle short-term rentals and bring vacant properties back into use are welcome. But they cannot substitute for the substantial increase in housing supply that Dublin and cities across Europe urgently need.
As Vice-Chair of the European Parliament’s Housing Committee, I submitted more than 400 amendments to our report, focused on practical solutions: faster planning and permitting, better access to finance, stronger construction supply chains and removing the red tape holding back new homes.
The Commission had an opportunity to take those solutions forward. Instead, its first major proposal does too little to address the barriers preventing construction. I made that case publicly this week, including in the Irish Independent, and will keep pressing for the next measures to come forward faster. People cannot afford another long wait for action.
Standing up for small Irish businesses
I continued raising concerns about the EU’s new packaging rules and the impact they are having on small Irish businesses selling to customers across Europe.
My office is hearing from business owners facing confusing requirements, additional costs and registration in multiple countries. For a micro-business sending only a small number of orders abroad, those burdens can make trading across the Single Market much harder.
I am pushing the Commission for simpler rules, protections for micro-businesses and one EU-wide registration system. For practical guidance on individual requirements, businesses should contact Repak directly. Please continue sharing your experiences with my office so I can bring them into these discussions.
Meeting Dóchas and Irish humanitarian organisations
I also met Dóchas and representatives of Irish humanitarian and development organisations visiting Brussels. We discussed how Irish organisations can engage with EU decision-makers and help shape Europe’s humanitarian and development priorities, particularly during Ireland’s EU Presidency.
Their experience working with communities affected by conflict, poverty and humanitarian emergencies is invaluable. Stronger links between these organisations and the Parliament can help ensure that the realities they see on the ground inform the decisions we take.
From Brussels to Gorey
After Brussels, I travelled to Gorey for the Fine Gael Think In, a chance for the team to come together, share ideas and set our priorities for the months ahead.
It was great to catch up with colleagues, discuss the concerns we’re hearing from people across the country and share updates on Ireland’s EU Presidency and our work in the European Parliament.
My message is simple: a strong economy must translate into a better everyday life. That means more homes, better services and real progress on the costs facing families. Those are the priorities I brought to our discussions, and the ones I’ll keep pushing for as Dublin’s MEP.
News Coverage
Housing: a weak start from the Commission
Housing was the main focus of my media work this week. I challenged the Commission’s new Affordable Housing Act for failing to match the urgency of the crisis facing people trying to rent or buy.
As I told the Irish Independent, measures on short-term rentals are welcome, but we also need faster planning, better access to finance and fewer barriers to building. As Vice-Chair of Parliament’s Housing Committee, I will keep pressing the Commission to take our practical proposals on board.
Powerful AI needs a global response
I also called on the Commission to bring international partners together to agree how we respond when powerful AI systems cause serious incidents. I asked for this to be placed on the agenda of the G7, G20 and OECD, bringing the US, China and others into the discussion.
Governments cannot manage these risks alone. We need international cooperation that keeps pace with the technology and puts public safety first.
Spiking: time to get the Bill moving
Last week, I spoke on RTÉ Radio 1 about the Spiking Bill I introduced in the Seanad in 2023. It passed all stages there but is still awaiting progress in the Dáil.
Spiking must become a standalone offence. I’m calling for the Bill to be put on the Dáil agenda urgently, giving victims the recognition and protection they deserve.
The week ahead
Next week, I’m heading to Strasbourg for meetings and Parliament’s plenary session, where MEPs come together to debate and vote on European legislation.
One of the biggest moments will be European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen’s State of the Union address. This is her annual speech taking stock of where Europe stands and setting out the Commission’s priorities for the year ahead. It’s also an opportunity for MEPs to challenge those priorities and press for action on the issues that matter to you.
I’ll be paying particular attention to protecting children and young people on social media. With proposals on children’s access to these platforms expected, I want to see meaningful action on harmful content and addictive algorithms.
What are you most interested in hearing about in this year’s State of the Union address? Vote in the poll below and help me shape the updates I share with you from Strasbourg.
State of the Union: What matters most to you?
Housing
Cost of Living
Security and Defence
Climate and Energy
Later in the week, I’ll also attend the Eurofi Financial Forum in Dublin, taking place in association with Ireland’s EU Presidency.
Eurofi is a major European finance conference bringing together policymakers, regulators and financial sector representatives to discuss investment, financial services and the economy.
It’s a chance to explore how Europe can make it easier for businesses to access funding and help people make more of their savings, issues closely connected to my work on the Savings and Investments Union. Find out more about Eurofi.
Thank you for taking the time to catch up on my week. If there’s an issue you’d like to raise, a question about my work or something my office can help with, please get in touch. I’m here to represent you, and hearing from you helps shape the work I do.
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