EuroParlRadio

”Outrageous” LGBTI families face citizenship struggles

Rainbow families must be guaranteed freedom of movement like everyone else, says Maria Walsh. LGBT parents are struggling to get birth certificates and citizenship rights for their children in European countries where same-sex relationships are not fully accepted. Now MEPs are pressuring the EU to intervene. The European Commission has promised to put forward a new law on parenthood. Fine Gael MEP, Maria Walsh says if she was to have a child with a woman from another European country, she could face exactly these kinds of barriers.

 

Out words: Of protections

Dur: 0’19”

Rainbow families denied freedom of movement – Walsh

LGBTI parents should be recognised across Europe to stop cases of stateless children – that’s the demand from Maria Walsh. The Fine Gael MEP is pressuring the EU to act. Back in 2018, an Irish-Polish couple was denied citizenship for their daughter. At the time neither Ireland nor Poland would allow two women to be recognised as parents on a birth certificate. Human rights campaigners have documented similar cases in other parts of Europe. Maria Walsh is Vice President of the LGBTI group in the European Parliament and is speaking in a debate on the issue later. She says the EU needs to ensure that the right to parenthood is universal.
 
Out words: Long enough
Dur: 0’23”

Step towards Russia facing international tribunal - Fitzgerald

The European Parliament’s vote to brand Russia a terrorist state lays the groundwork towards an international tribunal – that’s according to Frances Fitzgerald. MEPs voted this lunchtime to declare Russia a “state sponsor of terrorism”. The European Parliament criticised Russia’s attacks on civilians and for financing terrorist organsaitions. MEPs concluded Russia’s actions clearly amount the EU and UN definition of terrorism. Fine Gael MEP, Frances Fitzgerald, says she hopes it is a step towards Russia’s leaders being held to account.

 

Out words: Across Ukraine

Dur: 0’20”

European Parliament calls Russia a terrorist state

In the last few minutes, the European Parliament has voted to designate Russia a “state sponsor of terrorism”. In their resolution, which was backed by a large majority in the vote, MEPs criticise Russia for “deliberately targeting Ukrainian critical infrastructure…in order to terrorise the population”, and for financing terrorist regimes and organisations. Fine Gael MEP, Frances Fitzgerald, voted in favour of the resolution. She says there is no doubt that Russia’s actions in Ukraine are the behaviour of a terrorist state.

 

Out words: New born babies

Dur: 0’13”

Women on boards to become EU law

Women must make up at least one-third of director position by 2026 under a new EU law. The law also requires 40 per cent of non-executive directors must be women. It will apply to all companies in Europe with at least 250 employees. In Ireland, women now comprise 36 per cent of executives at board level, according to a report published this week. Fine Gael MEP and former Tánaiste, Frances Fitzgerald, says the law will greatly improve equality.

 

Out words: Right across Europe

Dur: 0’24”

Supporting migrants “runs through Irish DNA” - Andrews

Dublin MEP, Barry Andrews, says he has been saddened by protests against migrants in recent days. The former head of a humanitarian charity is urging the Irish government to back EU reforms which he says would resolve some of these issues.

 

Out words: Protests happening

Dur: 0’24”

EU reform key to sorting migration - Andrews

EU reforms held up for two years are key to Europe’s migrant crisis – that’s according to Barry Andrews. Hundreds of migrants rescued at sea were stuck on boats for weeks because the Italian government wouldn’t let them off. The new government there wants to take a hardline until they have more guarantees about the distribution of asylum seekers. Fianna Fáil MEP, Barry Andrews believes Ireland should also play its part. He says the first step is to get new EU migration laws over the line.

 

Out words: To this problem

Dur: 0’17”

Russian ships monitoring Irish cables - Kelleher

Billy Kelleher believes Russian ships are monitoring Ireland’s data cables. Back in January, Russia announced plans to hold a military exercise off the south-west of Ireland. Billy Kelleher believes the real motive was to monitor and map our undersea internet links. Today the European Parliament voted through a new law to beef up the security of just this kind of infrastructure. Fianna Fáil MEP, Billy Kelleher, says the episode demonstrates why the law is so important for Ireland.

 

Out words: Risk and threat

Dur: 0’27”

 

New law to beef up infrastructure protection

European co-operation will help protect Ireland's vulnerable infrastructure, that’s according to Billy Kelleher. MEPs have voted through a new law this lunchtime to increase protection for critical infrastructure. The list will now include health and banking for the frist time, as well as transport and energy. It comes just days after Swedish investigators revealed they had found traces of explosives around the damaged Nord Stream pipeline. Under the law, all potential risks should be mapped out, and European countries should communicate better. Fianna Fáil MEP, Billy Kelleher, says the HSE cyber attack and the Nord Stream explosions show that infrastructure needs to be better monitored and secured. 

Out words: Their protection

Dur: 0’16”

 

FG MEP criticises Irish government over energy

Ireland needs to move faster on renewables and LNG to be better prepared for future winters, that’s according to a Fine Gael MEP. EU energy ministers have scheduled another emergency meeting for Thursday to discuss the latest progress to tackle high prices. Ministers will try to reach a deal on joint purchasing of gas and a system to monitor price volatility. Ireland South MEP, Sean Kelly, has criticised the Irish government for not moving fast enough. He says we need to produce more and reduce our dependence.

Out words: Anyone else

Dur: 0’16”