EuroParlRadio

Midlands North West needs EU cash to arrive

The Midlands North West region needs the money which has been agreed, but has not yet arrived, says Chris MacManus. To respond to the economic blow of the covid crisis, the EU created a multi-billion Euro fund. €915 million in grants was allocated to Ireland. But the government admits that it has only recently made a request for the first tranche to be sent. Sinn Fein MEP, Chris MacManus was critical of the fund when it was approved by the European Parliament. At the time he called it poor value for money for Ireland. But he now says, since the money was agreed, we should be benefiting from it and should not still be waiting.  

Out words: It’s been agreed

Dur: 0’22”

Irish cash “sitting on a shelf” - MacManus

Millions of Euro which was supposed to be used to help the Irish economy recover from covid is “sitting on a shelf in Brussels”, that’s according to Chris MacManus. Ireland was allocated €915 million in grants from the EU’s Recovery and Resilience Facility. The money is supposed to be used for investment projects and advancing the green economy. So far none of the cash has arrived. In a statement, the government said it has now made a “first payment request”, but Sinn Fein MEP, Chris MacManus, says other countries have already spent millions by now.

 

Out words: It’s frustrating

Dur: 0’20”

EU must help Afghan women - Kelly

The EU must try to help women in Afghanistan despite the difficulties – that’s the message from Sean Kelly. The repression and violence against women in Afghanistan has been discussed this week in the European Parliament. The EU does not recognise the Taliban as the de facto government. But Fine Gael MEP, Sean Kelly, insists there are things the EU can do to help women who want to come to Ireland and elsewhere.

 

Out words: They’ll be safe

Dur: 0’23”

Kelly trying to rescue Afghan lecturer

Sean Kelly has revealed he has been working to try and help a woman and her family to escape Afghanistan. Since the Taliban swept back to power in 2021, women’s rights have been gradually dismantled. Laws now restrict women’s right to education, jobs, and liberty. In December last year, the de facto government (which is not recognised by the EU) banned women from attending universities. Fine Gael MEP, Sean Kelly, has been struggling to help a female lecturer escape and get to Ireland. He says she is in a particularly dangerous situation.

 

Out words: The situation

Dur: 0’15”

Cuffe’s law to renovate leaky and damp homes

A new law spearheaded by an Irish MEP aims to make old buildings warm and dry. Ciarán Cuffe has been put in charge of getting the new Energy Performance of Buildings Directive through the European Parliament. This week he reached a compromise with the different political players ahead of a vote expected in the coming weeks. The directive will demand EU governments, including Ireland, ensure homes and offices are better insulated and are more energy efficient. The Green MEP says too many of Ireland’s old buildings are not up to standard.

 

Out words: What’s out

Dur: 0’22”

Progress but no deal yet - Andrews

A Brexit deal is not close and imminent, says Barry Andrews. British and EU negotiators are working on resolving difficulties with the Northern Ireland protocol. British press reports this morning in The Times and the Financial Times have raised speculation that an agreement is near. That idea is rubbished by Fianna Fáil MEP, Barry Andrews. He welcomes that work is underway, but warns that all Northern Ireland parties must be on board before a deal is reached.

 

Out words: Be sustainable  

Dur: 0’20”

Brexit speculation is ‘British kite-flying’

Press reports about an imminent Brexit deal are overblown speculation – that’s according to Barry Andrews. The Times reports that the EU might be prepared to offer new concessions on customs and the role of the European Court of Justice in relation to Northern Ireland. Fianna Fáil MEP, Barry Andrews, who sits on the UK-EU parliamentary assembly, says whilst progress is being made, difficulties still have not been resolved. He says the newspaper stories are more about the British government testing the water for a possible deal.

 

Out words: In Northern Ireland  

Dur: 0’17”

Irish Green leading energy efficiency law

A new EU law will mandate housing and office blocks to become increasingly energy efficient – that’s according to Ciarán Cuffe. It is estimated 40 per cent of Ireland’s energy-related carbon emissions come from buildings. Irish Green, Ciarán Cuffe, has been tasked with getting the law through the European Parliament. This week he reached a deal with negotiators made up of MEPs and EU governments on the basis of the draft law. Ciarán Cuffe says it will lead to buildings becoming more energy efficient and a step towards the 2050 net-zero target.

 

Out words: Need to go

Dur: 0’20”

Walsh urges policymakers’ transparency

Maria Walsh has urged policymakers to be transparent in their dealing with lobbyists. Her comments come as allegations of corruption continue to hang over the European Parliament. Earlier this week authorities requested two more MEPs be stripped of their immunity from prosecution. Parliament also voted in a new Vice President to replace another member currently under investigation. Speaking in the European Parliament in Strasbourg, Fine Gael MEP, Maria Walsh, said politicians must show integrity and openness.

 

Out words: To its citizens

Dur: 0’21”

Preventing violence against women EU-wide

The EU will make “major progress” in protecting women in the coming months – that’s according to Frances Fitzgerald. The Fine Gael MEP has been told that the EU will sign up to the Convention on Preventing and Combating Violence Against Women and Domestic Violence, also known as the Istanbul Convention. Ireland is already a signatory, but Frances Fitzgerald says it needs to apply right across the EU.

 

Out words: Is everywhere

Dur: 0’20”