EuroParlRadio

EU vote will allow for orderly Brexit - Cuffe

Today’s Brexit vote in the European Parliament will ensure an orderly departure of the UK from the EU.

That’s according to Dublin Green MEP Ciarán Cuffe who was speaking ahead of a debate on the Withdrawal Agreement.

The vote is expected to pass and the UK will officially leave on Friday night.

Ciarán Cuffe says he’ll be voting in favour:

Out words: an agreement

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‘Momentous’ and ‘emotional’ day – Kelleher

British MEPs in Brussels are packing their bags and getting ready to vacate their offices by Friday night.

The UK will leave the EU by 11pm Irish time on Friday. MEPs will vote on the Brexit Withdrawal Agreement later today following a debate on the deal. It’s likely to be carried by a majority of the MEPs even though many of them will be sad to see their British colleagues leaving the EU.

The Fianna Fáil MEP Billy Kelleher says today is an emotional day.

Out words: European Union

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Kelleher says he’ll vote for Brexit deal despite concerns

The European Parliament will vote on the Brexit Withdrawal Agreement later today. The European Parliament’s Constitutional Affairs Committee gave its consent to the deal last week. It’s expected the majority of MEPs will give it the green light today even though some of them still have concerns about key issues such as the rights of EU Citizens’ in a post-Brexit era. The Fianna Fáil MEP Billy Kelleher says he will vote for the deal despite those concerns.

Out words: future relationship

Dur: 00:25

MEPs to vote on Brexit Withdrawal Agreement in European Parliament

MEPs in the European Parliament in Brussels will vote today on the Brexit Withdrawal Agreement. The vote is scheduled to take place at 5pm (Irish time). It follows the completion of the ratification process of the Withdrawal Agreement in the UK. The UK is scheduled to leave the EU on Friday night.

EuroParlRadio's editor Karen Coleman reports from Brussels. 

Out words: Brussels

Dur: 00:46

Historic Brexit vote takes place today

MEPs will vote on the Brexit withdrawal agreement in the European Parliament in Brussels later today.

It will pave the way for the UK to officially leave the EU at 11pm Irish time on Friday.

Britain will have to abide by EU rules during the transition phase which is set to last for the rest of the year.

Celebrations are planned in Brussels and in the UK this week.

But Brexit Party MEP Claire Fox says they’re not getting carried away:

 

Out words: at all

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EU Ombudsman will closely monitor von der Leyen’s commission

The EU Ombudsman Emily O’Reilly says she’ll be closely monitoring the actions of the new EU commission to ensure its future work is carried out properly.

Irish woman Emily O’Reilly was recently re-elected to the Ombudsman position for another five-year mandate.

The European Parliament this week urged the EU Ombudsman to continue to push for more transparency in the workings of the European Council and Commission. 

Emily O’Reilly says they will be keeping a close eye on the work of Ursula von der Leyen’s new commission.

Out words: public interest

Dur: 00:42

Ireland will have to be “exceptionally vigilant” on EU-UK trade talks – Kelleher

The European Parliament’s Committee on Constitutional affairs will give its recommendation to the Parliament next week on whether or not it should give its consent to the EU-UK Withdrawal agreement.

MEPs are set to vote on the Brexit deal on January 29^th once the UK has fully ratified it.

Trade negotiations between the bloc and Britain will then be expected to get underway either late February or early March.

The Fianna Fáil MEP Billy Kelleher says Ireland will need to be exceptionally vigilant when it comes to securing its future trading interests with the UK.

Out words: vigilant (hard ending)

Dur:  00:37

“Devasting impact” if UK closes waters to Irish fishing – Kelleher

Ireland will have to be “exceptionally vigilant” when it comes to protecting our trading interests with Britain once the EU-UK trade negotiations get underway.  

That’s the warning from the Fianna Fáil MEP Billy Kelleher.

Trade talks between the bloc and Britain will start shortly after the Brexit deal is fully ratified by the UK and the European Parliament. MEPs are  set to vote on it on January 29^th.

Mr Kelleher says the Irish fishing industry could be decimated if the UK closes its waters to the EU in the future.   

Out words: percent

Dur: 00:23

Crackdown on judiciary in Poland “extremely disturbing” – Fitzgerald

The rule of law in Poland and Hungary has worsened since the EU triggered a mechanism that could potential lead to sanctions against both countries.

That’s the view of the European Parliament which today voted for a resolution calling on the EU Council and Commission to take greater steps to stop both countries from eroding the rule of law and fundamental rights.

The Fine Gael MEP Frances Fitzgerald says Polish judges visited the European Parliament recently to discuss the crackdown on the judiciary there.

Out words: in Ireland

Dur: 00:40

MEPs call for binding targets to save biodiversity – O’Sullivan

Radical measures including EU-wide pesticide reduction targets and more sustainable agriculture and forestry practices much be introduced to save the planet from massive biodiversity loss.

That’s the majority view of the European Parliament which today voted for the upcoming global biodiversity conference COP 15 to agree on legally binding targets on biodiversity.

MEPs are insisting the EU lead the way by increasing EU budgets for biodiversity initiatives and taking it into account in all areas of EU policy.

THE Green Party MEP Grace O’Sullivan says the erosion of biodiversity in Ireland is having a terrible impact.

Out words: our lives

Dur: 00:27