Lara MarloweJournalistAdvancing Ukraine’s application for EU membership could be the Irish presidency’s most valuable contribution to the future of the union. The Maidan protesters overthrew Vladimir Putin’s Ukrainian puppet in 2014 because he tried to block their rapprochement with Europe. Untold thousands of Ukrainians have since died for their country’s aspiration to join the West.Ukraine needs moral, financial and military support from Europe to end Russia’s brutal aggression. Europe needs the dynamism and ingenuity of Ukraine to defend itself from Russia. Awkward though it may be for neutral Ireland, Europe urgently needs to organise its defence. Ukraine has expertise in drone warfare and a 900,000-strong army with more than a decade’s experience fighting Russia. Viktor Orbán’s election defeat in April and recent Ukrainian success in striking Moscow and Russian-occupied Crimea have made this a propitious time for Ukraine. The controversial Aughinish Alumina plant in Co Limerick. Photograph: Alan Betson The disgraceful continuation of alumina exports from Aughinish to Russia, and the scheduled curtailment of accommodation for Ukrainian refugees have cast doubt on Ireland’s commitment.Our EU presidency could send a powerful signal to Russia, Ukraine, Europe and the world by commencing work on a draft EU accession treaty, as proposed by Sergiy Kyslytsya, an adviser to president Volodymyr Zelenskiy, in this newspaper in April.Fintan O’TooleJournalistIreland has rightly made online safety for children a priority for the EU presidency. But when it comes to specifics, the Government’s pitch has been pathetically weak. Age verification and “educational supports” seem to be the main proposals. Yet everybody knows that nothing much will change until the social media giants are defined like every other industry: as producers of products for which they are liable and accountable. You can’t sell a teddy bear without conforming to strict safety standards and you shouldn’t be able to target content at children without doing the same.The legal frameworks are already emerging. The European Court has ruled that companies using algorithms are not merely “hosting” content – they are pushing it. But this principle must be fully enshrined in law and, more importantly, translated into urgent action.Micheál Martin’s legacy from his time as minister for health was the smoking ban. He’s now at a Big Tobacco moment with Big Tech. The tobacco companies produce and push an addictive and toxic product – so do the social media giants. This is the great child abuse scandal of our times and only the combined clout of the EU can stand up to the power of these rapacious oligarchs. Martin can go down in history if he forces the EU to wake up to its responsibilities to protect its youngest citizens.Muireann Lynch Energy economistThe transition to decarbonised energy systems relies on renewable fuels as well as renewable electricity. But there are concerns that using electricity to produce these renewable fuels, particularly hydrogen, will lead to an overall increase in fossil fuel usage. To combat this, the European Union has introduced strict rules on the requirements for these fuels to count as “renewable” – but there is emerging evidence to suggest that these rules are too stringent, with unintended consequences for the energy transition in Europe. China is powering ahead in hydrogen and alternative fuel investment while the EU is lagging, hindered by red tape that is not evidence-based. The Irish presidency should prioritise reviewing these rules to enable the optimal usage of sustainable alternative fuels.A worker refuels a truck at a hydrogen refueling station during a media tour at the Daxing International Hydrogen Energy Demonstration Zone in Beijing, China. Photograph: EPA Madeleine JohanssonSocialist councillorIreland’s presidency of the EU provides people with an opportunity to reflect on the union and its purpose. For many, the EU represents a progressive community across national borders. But behind the liberal veneer is a neoliberal project designed to work in the interests of the bosses. Recall that 42 per cent of the cost of Europe’s banking crash was paid by Ireland. This had devastating impacts in working-class communities, where community development programmes were dismantled, public services slashed and thousands of workers lost their jobs. The fiscal treaty locks in austerity and privatisation. Corporations ensure that the EU works for them by spending hundreds of millions on lobbying – more than €380 million in 2025 alone. In light of this, what one thing could Ireland achieve during the presidency? I don’t expect the Government to achieve anything that would benefit the working class – but perhaps it can clarify for workers that the EU does not represent them. I’m not arguing for a Brexit for Ireland. Britain’s exit on the basis of right-wing Tory politics has not improved the lives of workers in Britain. But a socialist Ireland with workers in the driving seat would have to break with the EU to regain control of our economy in the interests of the working class. Justine McCarthyJournalistThe EU’s bootlicking of Israel amid its massacring rampages against Palestinians is fraying allegiance to the bloc in its own member states. That includes Ireland, one of its most loyal.Micheál Martin’s Government has recognised the state of Palestine and barred two Israeli government ministers from this country, but it has diluted the Occupied Territories Bill. It needs to hold its nerve as it assumes the EU presidency to negotiate suspension of the EU-Israel Association Agreement and outlaw all trade with the Occupied Territories.The reasons are incontrovertible. The UN says that since Hamas attacked Israel in October 2023, 116 Palestinian communities in the West Bank have been partially or wholly displaced, dislocating nearly 6,000 people. The World Health Organisation says 1,175 Palestinians – including 246 children – were killed there up to last May. More than 75,000 people – mostly civilians – have died in Gaza, where humanitarian conditions continue to deteriorate despite a so-called ceasefire. Israel has introduced the death penalty for Palestinians, increased its area of control in Gaza since the ceasefire, and is assisting settlements in the West Bank and East Jerusalem to disrupt the region’s geographical contiguity and “bury the idea of a Palestinian state”.Martin must persuade the EU 27 that justice and humanity outweigh the bloc’s €43.3 billion annual trade with Israel.Taoiseach Micheál Martin speaks to the media after the meeting of European Parliament Conference of Presidents, kicking off events for the start of Ireland's EU presidency. Photograph: Sam Boal/Collin Photos