EuroParlRadio

UK “can’t prevaricate forever” on Brexit – Kelleher

The British Prime Minister Boris Johnson is threatening to scrap the Brexit bill and call for an election to avoid a three month extension to the Brexit deadline.

His warnings follow comments today by the European Council president Donald Tusk. He told the European Parliament that he’s consulting with EU leaders on how to react to the UK’s request for a Brexit extension.

The Fianna Fáil MEP Billy Kelleher says an extension should be granted to the UK but that they can’t prevaricate forever.  

Out words: the moment

Dur: 00:33

Can’t see EU leaders denying UK “technical” Brexit extension – McGuinness

The president of the European Council Donald Tusk says he’s consulting EU leaders on how to react to the UK’s request for an extension to the Brexit deadline of October the thirty first. 

Donald Tusk updated MEPs in the European Parliament this morning on last week’s EU summit which saw a revised Brexit deal struck between the EU and the UK.

That was followed by the House of Commons votes last weekend which resulted in Boris Johnson having to request an extension to Article fifty.

The Fine Gael MEP Mairead McGuinness says she can’t see the EU twenty seven denying Britain a “technical” extension if that’s to happen.

Out words: that unity

 

European Parliament watching Westminster before next Brexit step – McGuinness

The European Parliament will have to wait until the outcome of this week’s votes in Westminster on the Brexit deal before deciding on what to do next.

So says the Fine Gael MEP Mairead McGuinness who was speaking in Strasbourg following a big debate on Brexit this morning.

The Midlands North-West MEP says the Parliament won’t do anything until the House of Commons and Lords vote on the EU-UK Withdrawal agreement.

MEPs are supposed to vote on the Brexit deal before it can be fully implemented.

Out words: on ratification

Dur: 00:37

Kelleher reacts to reports of ‘phantom voting’

The Fianna Fail MEP Billy Kelleher has reacted to media reports that have embroiled him in the latest phantom voting controversy.

The Independent newspaper is reporting that the Fianna Fail TD Barry Cowan was absent from his seat during a vote on Brexit last March.

The paper reports that Billy Kelleher was not in his own seat at the time he voted but that he was sitting in another TD’s seat. The Independent says Mr Kelleher’s own vote is recorded in the row behind where he was sitting.  And the paper says Mr Cowan was  “nowhere to be seen” when his vote was recorded. 

Speaking in Strasbourg Mr Kelleher gave his reaction to the media reports.

Out words: and vote

Dur: 00:28

MEP warns European Parliament has to vote on Brexit deal – Kelly

The Fine Gael MEP Sean Kelly says it won’t be possible for the European Parliament to vote on the Brexit Withdrawal Agreement until November.

Mr Kelly was speaking in Strasbourg where MEPs have been debating last week’s EU Summit in Brussels where Boris Johnson agreed a revised Brexit deal with EU leaders.

Mr Johnson is trying to ram the Brexit legislation through the House of Commons this week in the hope he can still take the UK out of the EU by October the 31^st.

However the European Parliament is also supposed to vote on the deal. 

Out words: of October

Dur: 00:38

 

“Height of folly” for EU not to grant UK extension – Kelly

The President of the European Commission Jean-Claude Juncker told MEPs this morning the EU has done all in its power to ensure an orderly departure of the UK from the EU.

MEPs were discussing the outcome of last week’s EU summit in Brussels where the EU struck a revised Brexit deal with Boris Johnson.

The British Prime Minister was forced to send a letter requesting an extension to the October 31^st Brexit deadline. However, he’s hoping he can push through Brexit legislation in the House of Commons this week to enable the UK to leave at the end of October.

The Fine Gael MEP Sean Kelly says it would be madness for the EU27 leaders to refuse an extension if that’s what’s required.  

Out words: the other 

Dur: 00:30

Kelleher can’t remember voting for Cowan but says voting’s like a “cattle mart”

The Fianna Fail MEP Billy Kelleher says he witnessed TDs “facilitating a vote” for other members while they were in the Chamber on “numerous occasions” during his time in the Dail.

The Ireland South MEP was reacting to media reports that he may have voted for Barry Cowan during a vote in the Dail.  

Mr Kelleher says he can’t remember doing so but admits it could have happened because he says the voting system in the Dail is chaotic. And he argues a habit evolved where TDs were tapped on the shoulder and asked to vote on another TD’s behalf.

Out words: time to time

Dur: 00:40

Women still face major obstacles despite top EU jobs for females – Fitzgerald

Women still face major inequalities despite the growing number of females securing top jobs in the EU.

That’s according to the Fine Gael MEP Frances Fitzgerald who was reacting to Christine Lagarde’s approval by MEPs this week to become the next president of the European Central Bank.

Both the presidency of the European Commission and the ECB will now be held by women. And more females than ever are set to become EU Commissioners.

But according to Frances Fitzgerald, women still face major obstacles despite these advancements.  

Out words: to see

Dur: 00:40

Taoiseach visit to Shrule icing on cake for culture night – Walsh

The Fine Gael MEP Maria Walsh is keeping her fingers crossed the Taoiseach will visit her home town of Shrule to see the wide range of cultural activities planned for culture night.

The Midlands North-West MEP says community projects will showcase the level of talent in the area.

She’s hoping Mr Varadkar will drop into Shrule during his trip to Mayo today.

Out words: highlights that

Dur: 00:36

Dublin MEP to join school students in nationwide climate protests – Cuffe

School students across the country will take part in rallies today demanding action to tackle the global environmental crisis.

The international Fridays for Future movement developed after the Swedish teenage climate activist Greta Thunberg began staging protests outside the Swedish parliament last year.

She went on to inspire hundreds of thousands of young people around the world to start their own student strikes. Today’s protests come ahead of a major UN climate summit in New York next week.

The Dublin MEP Ciarán Cuffe who will join the protesting young activists today, says next week’s climate summit is crucial.

Out words: live sustainably.

Dur: 00:16