Good afternoon, everyone.

Thank you to the Institute of International and European Affairs for hosting this discussion on democracy. It is an honor to be here as European Commissioner for Democracy, Justice, Rule of Law, and Consumer Protection. Much has changed since my last address here, and we face new challenges, particularly in democracy. We must remain vigilant in a world increasingly unstable due to authoritarianism and misinformation.

Ireland has maintained a stable democracy for over a century. This is a core value of our people. The 1916 Proclamation and our constitution emphasize our democratic tradition. But we must stay alert, as Europe knows well the costs of authoritarian regimes.

Today, manipulation of online information and misinformation threaten our democracies. The Digital Services Act and regulations on political advertising are steps to ensure transparency. But we also face hybrid threats, such as interference from Russia, disrupting our processes.

The European Commission introduces the European Democracy Shield to strengthen democracy. We focus on countering misinformation, fair elections, and increasing societal resilience. A European network of fact-checkers will help verify information.

We also want to encourage active civic engagement. Democracy should thrive in the hearts of citizens, and their engagement should be the lifeblood of local communities.

Thank you for your attention. I look forward to discussing further how to future-proof EU democracy.