July 20, 2019
The Fianna Fail MEP Billy Kelleher says his political group in the European Parliament will want to ensure the incoming European Commission President delivers on promises she made last week.
The Ireland South MEP is a member of Renew Europe which is the third biggest political group in the Parliament.
Last week its MEPs including Mr Kelleher voted for Ursula von der Leyen to take the EU’s top job. However he says they’ll be watching carefully to ensure she commits to her pledged policies.
Out words: five years
Dur: 00:34
July 19, 2019
Billy Kelleher says a fractured European Parliament will be challenging.
However, the Ireland South MEP says it’s an exciting time with the election of a new Commission President.
Ursula von der Leyen will take up the role in the Autumn after MEPs backed her during the week.
Billy Kelleher says the next few years will be interesting
Out words: very unusual
Dur: 0:23
July 19, 2019
Clare Daly says EU leaders are failing to connect with ordinary citizens.
The Dublin MEP has hit out at the workings of the European Parliament, which she describes as a ‘bureaucratic nightmare’
Clare Daly says some comments from Brexiteers are true:
Out words: bizarre spectacle
Dur: 0:22
July 19, 2019
Ciarán Cuffe hopes the next EU Commission will take climate change seriously.
The Green MEP was speaking after the incoming President Ursula von der Leyen made bold pledges on the issue.
They include an aim to make the EU carbon neutral by 2050.
Ciarán Cuffe hopes she sticks to her commitments
Out words: environmental issues
Dur: 0:28
July 18, 2019
Fine Gael MEP Seán Kelly says Phil Hogan would do a good job if made EU Trade Commissioner.
The outgoing Commissioner for Agriculture is being nominated for another five-year term.
The Taoiseach has said the Government is working closely with EU colleagues to secure the best possible portfolio.
Seán Kelly says there’s plenty of speculation in Brussels
Out words: good job
Dur: 0:30
July 18, 2019
Green Party MEP Ciarán Cuffe says EU directives on urban air quality need to be updated.
This week the European Parliament discussed the issue of clean air zones in EU cities.
It was prompted by issues in Madrid where the city council is rolling back on commitments to keep traffic out of the city centre.
Ciarán Cuffe says it sounds familiar
Out words: quality directives
Dur: 0:30
July 18, 2019
Moves by the EU to ban lead-based ammunition would make over 100,000 shotguns in Ireland obsolete.
Sinn Féin MEP Matt Carthy says the Government needs to stall the laws from coming into effect.
He says farmers would need to pay out to replace their guns or have them modified
Out words: those concerned
Dur: 0:20
July 18, 2019
Dublin MEP Clare Daly says she hired the son of her political colleague because he’s highly qualified for the job.
It emerged today that she took on Fionn Wallace as a parliamentary assistant in the European Parliament.
His father Mick is an MEP for Ireland South and has worked closely with Daly for years.
MEPs are banned from employing close relatives for parliamentary roles.
Clare Daly doesn’t see what the fuss is all about
Out words: by me
Dur: 0:50
July 18, 2019
Fianna Fáil MEP Billy Kelleher believes Phil Hogan should get an important portfolio if confirmed as Ireland’s Commissioner for another five years.
The Taoiseach is putting his name forward again despite calls from the incoming European Commission President for both a male and a female nominee.
Billy Kelleher says Phil Hogan is well thought of in the EU
Out words: commissionership
Dur: 0:30
July 18, 2019
The Irish Government needs to step in and block moves by the EU to ban the use of lead-based ammunition.
That’s the view of Sinn Féin MEP Matt Carty who says it would make over 100,000 shotguns in Ireland obsolete.
It’s understood the move is centered around lead contamination.
Matt Carthy says it would be costly for farmers
Out words: to steel
Dur: 0:35
