EuroParlRadio

Kelly hopes US beef deal will ease trade tensions

Fine Gael MEP Seán Kelly hopes trade tensions between the US and the EU will be eased after a deal was agreed to allow more American beef into Europe.

MEPs are expected to vote in favour of the agreement in Parliament today.

It will guarantee the US a share of a 45,000-tonne European quota for hormone-fee beef and comes after Donald Trump hiked tariffs on a range of EU products.

Seán Kelly says he understands why the US President made the move

 

Out words: in the way

Dur: 00:40

Irish health service “not normal” - Carthy

Sinn Féin MEP Matt Carthy says Irish people shouldn’t have to put up with hospital overcrowding.

He was speaking as the country’s three main children’s hospitals began postponing procedures due to an increase in the number of patients presenting to emergency departments.

The Midlands-North-West MEP says it’s a worrying development as we approach the peak winter period.

Speaking in Strasbourg, he says a 'two-tier health system' isn’t common in Europe

 

Out words: invest in it 

Dur: 00:40

MEPs to vote on “climate emergency”

Members of the European Parliament will vote today (Thursday) on whether to declare a “climate emergency”.

The resolution is designed to put pressure on the incoming European Commission to tackle the issue head-on.

Yesterday, the Green Party abstained in the vote to elect the team of 27 Commissioners.

Green MEP for Dublin Ciarán Cuffe says any declaration of an emergency needs to be followed up by action 

 

Out words: allocate funding

 

Dur: 00:28

Emergency taskforce needed after Portrane erosion - Daly

Independents 4 Change MEP Clare Daly is calling for an emergency taskforce to be set up following further coastal erosion in Portrane, North County Dublin.

The area suffered significant damage again this week during high tide.

The issue was raised in the European Parliament during a debate about the response to extreme weather events. 

Clare Daly says nobody is taking responsibility:

 

Out words: more integration

 

Dur: 00:29

Coastal erosion in Portrane raised in European Parliament

Independents 4 Change MEP Clare Daly has raised the issue of coastal erosion in Portrane in the European Parliament.

She was speaking during a debate about the EU response to extreme weather events.

The north county Dublin village suffered further damage this week during high tide.

Clare Daly says residents are worried

 

Out words: for it

 

Dur: 00:30

McGuinness says von der Leyen has a strong mandate

The new European Commission will officially begin its 5-year term on Sunday.
 
A majority of MEPs gave their backing to the group of 27 Commissioners during a vote at the European Parliament in Strasbourg earlier today.
 
Incoming President Ursula von der Leyen said her team would “give Europe a new start” and promised to step up the fight against climate change.
 
Fine Gael MEP Mairead McGuinness says she has a strong mandate:

Out words: delivering

Dur: 00:25

Cuffe defends decision to abstain from Commission vote

Green Party MEP Ciarán Cuffe has defended his decision to abstain from today’s vote on the new European Commission.

A majority of MEPs gave their backing to the team of 27, who will take up office next week.

The Greens chose to abstain and want to see specific details of the ‘European Green Deal’.

Ciarán Cuffe explains:

 

Out words: proposed

Dur: 00:27

Cuffe reacts to higher pollution during Dublin car-free day

Dublin MEP Ciarán Cuffe insists car-free days are a good thing.

He was reacting to reports that air pollution levels in some parts of the city centre doubled during one event earlier this year.

A Council debrief found that it was caused by a large number of busses being diverted away from College Green.

Ciarán Cuffe says we need to look at the bigger picture

 

Out words: old in

 

Dur: 00:27

European Commission gets the green light

MEPs have given their backing to the new European Commission.

The team of 27, including Ireland’s Phil Hogan, will now take up office on December 1^st.

461 MEPs voted in favour, 157 were against and 89 abstained - including the Greens. 

Fine Gael MEP for Midlands-North-West Mairead McGuinness gave her reaction to the vote

 

Out words: with her

Dur: 00:24

 

Walsh “heartbroken” over anti LGBTQI comments in EU Parliament

Fine Gael MEP Maria Walsh says it was heartbreaking to hear anti-LGBTQI comments in the European Parliament last night

She addressed MEPS during a debate on hate speech and discrimination.

It came about over concerns about the creation of so called ‘LGBTI free zones’ in Poland.

Maria Walsh says he was shocked to hear some of the contributions from Polish MEPs

Out words: no words

 

Dur: 00:30