EuroParlRadio

Government disgracing themselves by appealing EU Apple tax ruling – Daly

Ireland has been a key player globally in facilitating international corporations from avoiding billions of payments in taxes.

That’s the accusation from the Independents for Change MEP Clare Daly who was reacting to Ireland and Apple’s appeal of a European Commission ruling that said the Irish State “granted illegal tax benefits to Apple”.

Apple was forced to pay Ireland (13bn) thirteen billion euro in back taxes plus interest. That money is currently being held in an escrow account.

Both the tech giant and the Irish state have always rejected the 2016 ruling. And now the appeal case is being heard in Europe’s second highest court in Luxembourg.

Here’s Clare Daly.

Out words: totally phantom

Dur: 00:42

Chickens “coming home to roost” in Apple tax appeal case – Daly

The court case involving Ireland and Apple’s appeal of an EU ruling that said the Irish State “granted illegal tax benefits to Apple” is a game changer.

So says the Independents 4 Change MEP Clare Daly.

Apple was forced to pay Ireland (13bn) thirteen billion euro in back taxes plus interest. That money is currently being held in an escrow account.

Both the tech giant and the Irish state have always rejected the 2016 ruling. And now the appeal case is being heard in Europe’s second highest court in Luxembourg.

Clare Daly says the case highlights what’s she’s calling Ireland’s facilitation of multinational tax avoidance.

Out words: to stop

Dur: 00:20

Crash out Brexit will mean border checks somewhere – Kelleher

The Fianna Fáil MEP Billy Kelleher is calling on the government to be “upfront” and “honest” with people about the need for border checks in the event of a crash-out Brexit.

The Ireland South MEP was speaking in the European Parliament which held a vigorous debate on Brexit yesterday. The president of the European Commission Jean-Claude Juncker told MEPs during the debate that the risk of a no deal Brexit was palpable.

Here’s Billy Kelleher.

Out words: somewhere

Dur: 00:37

Brexit extension should be given to UK – Kelleher

Pressure is mounting on the British prime minister Boris Johnson to come up with a plan for replacing the backstop and ending the Brexit impasse.

Both the French and Finnish leaders say a deadline of two weeks should be imposed on the British government to come up with alternative proposals that could then be discussed at the next EU summit in mid-October.

The president of the EU commission Jean-Claude Juncker yesterday told MEPs the risk of a no deal Brexit was palpable.

The Fianna Fail MEP Billy Kelleher says the UK should be given an extension to the Brexit deadline of October 31st if they look for one.

Out words: landbridge

Dur: 00:22

Student climate strikes are “really really effective” – O’Sullivan

Students around the country have been asking adults to join them tomorrow in rallies calling for the government to take action on the climate 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.

The Ireland South MEP Grace O’Sullivan, who will join the protests in Waterford tomorrow, says the strikes are having a big impact.

Out words: overheating it

Dur: 00:27

MEP to join climate protests in Waterford tomorrow – Sullivan

The Ireland South MEP Grace O’Sullivan will join climate activists in Waterford tomorrow as part of the global Fridays for future movement. It encourages students to skip school to demand action on climate change.

This time students have been asking adults to also join them at Friday’s rallies.

The Ireland South MEP says she’ll protest with the students in Waterford to highlight the urgent need to tackle the growing threat of climate meltdown.

Out words: in solidarity

Dur: 00:32

Top EU roles for females will highlight critical women’s issues – Walsh

The appointment of women to senior EU positions will help push female issues to the top of European agendas.

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

Her appointment comes as another woman is set to take over the presidency of the European Commission.

Ursula von der Leyen has appointed more women as EU commissioners than ever before. And she’s catapulted the Danish Commissioner Margrethe Vestager to be one of her vice presidents.

Maria Walsh says the significant number of women in powerful EU jobs will definitely impact on future policies.

Out words: every conversation

Dur: 00:23

Interview Sinn Fein MEP Matt Carthy on Beef protests

Karen Coleman talks to the Sinn Fein MEP Matt Carthy about the beef protests and why he’s calling on meat processors to agree on base price commitments to farmers to resolve the beef disputes.

The Midlands North-West MEP’s comments follow last weekend’s marathon talks to resolve the dispute between farmers and the beef industry. 

He says farmers are being pushed to the brink and that beef factories are deploying divisive tactics by laying off workers and closing plants because of the dispute.

Out words: be placed

Dur: 5:05

Factories pitting low paid workers and farmers against each other – Carthy

A mix of flexibility and imagination and a commitment to increase the base price to beef farmers could end the protests outside meat factories.

That’s the verdict of the Sinn Fein MEP Matt Carthy who says the beef factories are deploying divisive tactics by laying off workers and closing plants because of the dispute.

Out words: be placed

Dur: 00:29

Beef factories must increase base price – Carthy

The Sinn Fein MEP Matt Carthy is calling on meat processors to agree on base price commitments to farmers to resolve the beef disputes.

The Midlands North-West MEP’s comments follow last weekend’s marathon talks to resolve the dispute between farmers and the beef industry. 

He says farmers are being pushed to the brink and that they needed to highlight the inequalities in the beef market.

Out words: rebuilding trust

Dur:  00:32