EuroParlRadio

EU to examine animal welfare during transport

An EU committee of inquiry on animal welfare standards during transport is expected to get the green light tomorrow.

It’s set to investigate alleged breaches of law in relation to animal protection inside and outside the EU.

Every year, millions on animals are transported across the continent.

Green MEP for Ireland South Grace O’Sullivan says it might mean changes for Irish farmers

Out words: animal transports

Dur: 0:34

EU Parliament calls on UK to respect Brexit commitments

Members of the European Parliament have called on the UK to respect commitments made in the Brexit Withdrawal Agreement.

A majority of MEPs backed a resolution acknowledging that trade talks should intensify next month.

However the text said it’s unacceptable that the UK side is cherry-picking certain policies.

There’s just over 6 months to go before the Brexit transition period ends and Britain stops abiding by EU rules.

Fine Gael MEP for Ireland South Seán Kelly believes the talks will come down to the wire yet again

Out words: very difficult

Dur: 0:30

MEPs approve new rules boosting Green Investments – Cuffe

The European Parliament has today voted for new rules on sustainable investments.

The majority of MEPs approved legislation that allows an economic activity to be labelled as environmentally sustainable if it contributes to at least one of six green objectives.  

The aim of the new law is to establish European “green” criteria for investors so that the EU can become carbon neutral by 2050.

The legislation will also mean that all financial products that claim to be sustainable will have to prove it following strict EU criteria.

The Green Party MEP Ciarán Cuffe says Green policies are likely to influence many aspects of our lives going forward.

Out words: what’s happening

Dur: 00:34

Green MEP urges members to back Government deal

Green Party members are debating whether or not to go into Government with Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael.

The Programme for Government needs to be backed by two thirds of Green members.

A special webinar is underway today and the results of a postal vote should be known next week.

Green MEP for Ireland South Grace O’Sullivan is supporting the deal and is urging members to do the same

 

Out words: do that

Dur: 0:29

Andrews “not optimistic” about Brexit breakthrough in July

The Fianna Fail MEP Barry Andrews says many EU officials are pessimistic about the ongoing trade talks between the EU and the UK.

The Dublin MEP’s comments come as the European Parliament votes on a resolution today calling on the UK to abide by the Brexit Withdrawal Agreement that was signed last October.

Last Monday the UK gave formal notification to the EU that they would not seek an extension to the Brexit transition period, beyond the end of the year. Boris Johnson has said he sees no reason why the outline of a Brexit trade deal can’t be struck by the end of July.  

However, Barry Andrews is more pessimistic a deal can be brokered by then.

Out words: of July

Dur: 00:20

“Anger” in North Kerry after Shannon LNG project scrapped – Kelly

Ireland South MEP Seán Kelly say there’s been an angry reaction in North Kerry over plans to scrap the Shannon LNG gas terminal project.

It was one of the conditions of the Green Party to enter into a coalition Government with Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael.

The Greens say it would have seen fracked gas being imported into Ireland from the US.

Fine Gael’s Seán Kelly has supported the plan for more than a decade and succeeded in getting the terminal on a list of priority energy projects in the EU.

He’s disappointed it won’t now go ahead and says fracked gas will be imported into Ireland regardless

Out words: fracked gas

Dur: 0:35

No Brexit trade deal “nightmare scenario” – Andrews

The European Parliament will vote today on a resolution calling on the UK to abide by the Brexit Withdrawal Agreement that was signed last October.

 MEPs are warning the UK government can’t cherry pick policies to suit themselves while also enjoying access to the Single Market.

The resolution also states that the Parliament’s consent to any EU-UK future trade agreement, is conditional on the British government agreeing to a level playing field, in key areas such as labour standards and environmental protection.

The Fianna Fail MEP Barry Andrews says many EU officials are pessimistic about the ongoing trade talks between the EU and the UK.

Out words: of Ireland

Dur: 00:40

Fisheries a potential “lightning rod” on Brexit trade talks – McGuinness

The European Parliament will today vote on a resolution calling on the UK to abide by the Brexit Withdrawal Agreement. The Parliament is stating that it stands firmly behind the EU’s chief negotiator Michel Barnier. 

MEPs are also warning the UK cannot cherry pick what policies it will abide by to access the Single market.

The Fine Gael MEP Mairead McGuinness says there are a number of issues that are stalling the talks.

Out words: unfair competition

Dur: 00:43

UK “rowing back” on Political Declaration – McGuinness

The Fine Gael MEP Mairead McGuinness says it would be a miracle if the EU was able to broker a full trade agreement with the UK within the next couple of months.

Her comments follow Boris Johnson’s message to the EU on Monday that the UK does not want to seek an extension to the Brexit transition period beyond the end of the year. 

The European Parliament will vote today on a resolution that calls on the UK to abide by the Brexit Withdrawal agreement that was signed last October.

Mairead McGuinness says she’s concerned the UK will not adhere to everything it signed up to last year when the Brexit deal was brokered. 

Out words: not exist

Dur: 00:40

Full agreement with UK in short time would be “a miracle” – McGuinness

It would be a miracle if the EU managed to broker a full trade agreement with the UK within the next few months.

So says the Fine Gael MEP Mairead McGuinness.

The European Parliament will vote tomorrow on a resolution that calls on the UK to abide by the Brexit Withdrawal agreement that was signed last October.

The President of the European Commission told MEPs today that Boris Johnson informed her on Monday that the UK would not be seeking an extension of the Brexit transition period beyond the end of the year.

Mairead McGuinness says that leaves little time left to strike a trade deal.   

Out words: or not

Dur: 00:34