September 18, 2020
It was a busy week in European Parliament with MEPs tackling a range of issues from the Covid pandemic to reductions in greenhouse gas emissions .
And of course lurking in the shadows was Brexit and Boris Johnson’s proposals to over-ride elements of the Withdrawal Agreement with his Internal Market Bill.
Karen Coleman has this round up of the main issues that dominated the European Parliament’s plenary session.
Out words: EuroParlRadio
Dur: 5:24
September 18, 2020
The European Commission needs to put its money where its mouth is and fund the renovation of buildings across the EU to make them more energy efficient.
That’s the recommendation from the Green Party MEP Ciarán Cuffe.
The European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen this week said the EU needs to reduce its toxic carbon emissions by at least 55% by 2030. It’s all part of Ursula von der Leyen’s European Green Deal to make the EU carbon neutral by 2050.
Ciarán Cuffe says renovating buildings would go a long way to reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
Out words: buildings use
Dur: 00:24
September 17, 2020
The Fine Gael MEP Sean Kelly is calling for greater clarity on Covid travel rules for workers who have to move in and out of Ireland.
At the moment, the rules around travel are complicated due to the different rates of infection across Europe. The issue was debated in the European Parliament this week where MEPs called for a common EU approach.
Sean Kelly says the requirement to self-isolate when he travels to and from Brussels makes his job more challenging.
Out words: an advantage
Dur: 00:36
September 17, 2020
Farmers should be incentivised to put solar panels on their sheds to help generate clean energy and reduce damaging greenhouse gas emissions.
That’s the recommendation from the Fine Gael MEP Sean Kelly. He was responding to this week’s announcement by the European Commission president to reduce carbon emissions in the EU by at least 55% (fifty five percent) by 2030.
Sean Kelly says there are plenty of things farmers can do to go green.
Out words: enormously
Dur: 00: 34
September 17, 2020
The European Parliament is calling for more help for people and regions making transitions from high to low carbon economies.
The President of the European Commission yesterday announced plans to cut greenhouse gas emissions within the EU to at least 55% (fifty per cent) of 1990 levels by 2030.
That will be tough for regions that are heavily dependent on fossil fuels and carbon-intensive industries.
The Fine Gael MEP Sean Kelly explains how going green will impact on Ireland.
Out words: forgotten about
Dur: 00:26
September 17, 2020
The Fine Gael MEP Mairead McGuinness should win the approval of the European Parliament to become the new EU Commissioner for Financial Services.
So says Dublin MEP Ciarán Cuffe.
Mairead McGuinness was recently selected by the European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen to replace Phil Hogan. He had to resign from the Commission following the Golfgate controversy.
But before Mrs McGuinness can take up her new job she first has to face a hearing before the European Parliament’s Economic and Monetary Affairs Committee (ECON). And then she’ll have to win the majority of support of all of the MEPs in a vote in the European Parliament.
Here’s Ciarán Cuffe.
Out words: ECON committee
Dur: 00:22
September 17, 2020
Financial sanctions should be imposed on Poland if it doesn’t end its discriminatory policies on LGBTI-free zones.
That’s the recommendation from the Green Party MEP Grace O’Sullivan.
MEPs this week slammed Poland where certain local authorities have declared their territories “LGBTI-free zones”. Intolerance and violence towards LGBTI people are on the rise in Poland.
And a European Parliament report says there’s “overwhelming evidence” of rule of law breaches, including risks for judicial independence, interference with legislative and electoral systems and threats to fundamental rights.
Grace O’Sullivan says the EU needs to take stronger action to stop human rights abuses in Poland.
Out words: local municipalities
Dur: 00:33
September 17, 2020
Intro script:
Ireland is set to join a new EU system for international travel during the COVID pandemic.
It’s currently being drawn up by the European Commission and is expected to come into effect next month.
At the moment, the rules around travel are complicated due to the different rates of infection across Europe.
The issue was debated in the European Parliament this week where MEPs called for a common EU approach.
Reporter Kevin Purcell has been speaking to some, in Brussels:
Out words: in Brussels
Dur: 05:00
September 16, 2020
The President of the European Commission delivered her first State of the European Union address on Wednesday morning in the European Parliament.
The annual speech gives the EU boss the opportunity to tell MEPs what the Commission has been doing over the last year and what it’s proposing to do in the years ahead.
Ursula von der Leyen’s lengthy address touched on a wide range of issues from Covid to Brexit and from climate change to racism and discrimination.
Karen Coleman has this roundup of the Commissions boss’s big speech in Brussels.
Out words: EuroParlRadio
Dur: 5:32
September 16, 2020
The European Commission is proposing to strengthen the European medicines agency and the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control.
The President of the European Commission told the European Parliament today the EU will build an Agency for biomedical advanced research and development to help respond to cross border threats and emergencies.
Ursula von der Leyen also said the EU needed to stockpile pharmaceutical goods in particular.
The Covid pandemic has highlighted Europe’s vulnerability when it comes to supplies of vital medicines. Fine Gael’s Frances Fitzgerald, MEP for Dublin, says the EU needs to increase its production of important medical supplies.
Out words: up supplies
Dur: 00:26
