EuroParlRadio

New Sinn Féin MEP casts first vote from home

Ireland's newest MEP has cast his first vote in the European Parliament from his kitchen table in Co. Sligo.

COVID-19 travel restrictions mean that the majority of MEPs cannot attend a special plenary in Brussels to deal with the crisis.

It’s led to the Parliament taking the unprecedented step of rolling out remote voting.

Sinn Féin’s Chris MacManus recently replaced Matt Carthy in the Midlands-North-West constituency

Out words: my kitchen table

Dur: 0:34

Sinn Féin MEP says Ireland will get very little from EU COVID package

Ireland will only get 3 million euro from an EU crisis fund worth a possible 65 billion to deal with the COVID-19 pandemic.

That’s according to Sinn Féin MEP Chris MacManus who says the EU plan is based on allowing member states to use unspent structural funds.

MEPs are today voting on an initial 37-billion-euro package which will be used for hospital equipment and support for SMEs.

Chris MacManus says the rules around the funding don’t make sense in the current climate

 

Out words: new dispensation

 

Dur: 0:28

EU must help repatriate citizens abroad in COVID-19 times – Kelleher

The EU must do more to help its citizens return home from countries they want to leave because of the COVID-19 crisis.

The Ireland South MEP says he’s getting calls from people stuck abroad who’re desperate to come home.  He’s recommending the EU take control of the situation and charter flights to get stranded EU citizens home.

Out words: later stage

Dur: 00:41

 

History will damn our lack of solidarity – Wallace on Covid 19

The Independents for Change MEP Mick Wallace has accused the European Union of failing to show solidarity to other EU countries struggling with the Covid-19 virus.

He was speaking in the European Parliament in Brussels this morning which is holding a special plenary session on the corona virus outbreak.

Out words: we were

Dur:  00:35

“Young people need to look after their mental health during corona-crisis”- Walsh

Young people need to look after their mental health during the COVID-19 outbreak.

That’s the view of Midlands-North-West MEP Maria Walsh who says it’s a difficult time for those who’s normal routine is disrupted.

The Fine Gael MEP is today voting remotely from Mayo on a range of measures in the European Parliament to deal with impact of the pandemic across the EU. 

Maria Walsh says many young people may be struggling to cope

 

Out words: your mental health

 

Dur: 0:31

“Be mindful of older people who aren’t tech savvy”- Walsh

Fine Gael MEP Maria Walsh says we need to reach out to older people who aren’t tech savvy during the corona-crisis.

She was speaking as a special session of the European Parliament got underway to deal with the impact of the COVID-19 outbreak.

Most MEPs are voting remotely from their homes due to the travel restrictions across Europe.

Some of the measures being discussed include a 37-billion-euro investment initiative and changes to the EU Solidarity Fund to cover public health emergencies

Midlands-North-West MEP Maria Walsh says we can’t forget those living in rural areas as the movement of people is restricted

Podcast on the European Parliament’s special session today to deal with the COVID-19 crisis

The European Parliament is holding special session in Brussels today to deal with the COVID-19 crisis. MEPs are to vote on three major issues to help ease the impact the corona virus is having on all of us. In an unprecedented move, many MEPs will vote remotely as travel restrictions mean they can’t physically go to Brussels.

Karen Coleman is the editor of EuroParlRadio which covers news from the European Parliament. She has this podcast. 

MEPs to vote on COVID-19 emergency measures – McGuinness

The European Parliament will hold a special session in Brussels today to deal with the COVID-19 crisis. MEPs are to vote on three major issues to help ease the impact the corona virus is having on all of us. In an unprecedented move, many MEPs will vote remotely as travel restrictions mean they can’t physically go to Brussels.

The Fine Gael MEP Mairead McGuinness says the EU can do a lot to help Europe cope with the fallout of COVID-19.

Out words: this crisis

Dur: 00:56

European Parliament to vote on COVID-19 emergency measures – VOICER

The European Parliament will hold a special session in Brussels today to deal with the COVID-19 crisis. MEPs are to vote on three major issues to help ease the impact the corona virus is having on all of us. In an unprecedented move, many MEPs will vote remotely as travel restrictions mean they can’t physically travel to Brussels.

Karen Coleman the editor of EuroParlRadio explains what will happen. 

Interview with Mairead McGuinness on new EU Gender Equality Strategy

Journalist Georg von Harrach talks to the Fine Gael MEP Mairead McGuinness about the EU's new Gender Equality Strategy. 

It aims to build on what the European Union believes it has achieved over the last five years. It points to the success of equal treatment laws and policies to support women in the workplace. The aim is to achieve a “gender-equal Europe” by 2025.