EuroParlRadio

Hogan not right man to defend Irish agriculture interests – Carthy

Mechanisms can and must be found to veto the recently agreed draft trade deal between the EU and the four Mercosur countries of Brazil, Argentina, Uruguay and Paraguay.

So says the Sinn Fein MEP Matt Carthy. His party are to move a private members motion in the Dáil next week calling for the rejection of the Mercosur trade deal which has been vigorously condemned by many farmers.

They’ve aimed some of their anger at the EU’s Agriculture Commissioner Phil Hogan saying he didn’t defend Irish farming interests when the deal was being brokered.   

Here’s Matt Carthy.

Out words: our interests

Dur: 00:42

Government must find “mechanisms” to veto Mercosur deal – Carthy

Sinn Fein say they will move a private members motion in the Dáil next week calling for the rejection of the Mercosur trade deal.

Farmers have reacted strongly against the recently agreed draft deal with four South American countries (Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay) saying it will have devastating consequences for the Irish meat sector.

The Sinn Fein MEP for the Midlands North-West Matt Carthy says the announcement of the deal couldn’t come at a worse time and that the government has to find a way to veto it when it comes to its ratification. 

Out words: those mechanisms

Dur: 00:42

Weber will be president of European Parliament in future – Fitzgerald

The Fine Gael MEP Frances Fitzgerald says the German MEP Manfred Weber who is a member of the European People’s Party, will definitely become president of the European Parliament in two and a half year’s time.

The Dublin MEP was speaking in Strasbourg where MEPs yesterday elected an Italian socialist MEP as their new president.

However, Ms Fitzgerald says the EPP group, which Fine Gael is a member of, supported David-Maria Sassoli’s election, on condition their man takes over during the second half of the European Parliament’s term.

Out words: half years

Dur: 00:13

 

Von der Leyen’s agenda a “very dangerous” prospect – Carthy

The nominated president of the European Commission will pursue an increased militarisation of Europe and support the spending of billions on defence.

So says the Sinn Fein MEP Matt Carthy who was talking about Ursula von der Leyen whom the European Council this week selected for the EU’s top job after weeks of wrangling. 

Ms Von der Leyen is currently the German defence minister and Matt Carthy says she doesn’t hide her pro militarisation views.

Out words: of regions

Dur: 00:42

Von der Leyen “very impressive” & supportive of Ireland – Fitzgerald

The proposed new president of the European Commission is a very impressive woman who’s supportive of Ireland’s position on Brexit.

That’s according to the Fine Gael MEP Frances Fitzgerald who was speaking in the European Parliament in Strasbourg.  Ursula Von Der Leyen yesterday met MEPs from the European People’s Party which Fine Gael is a member of.

The mother of seven is a doctor and the daughter of a former EU commission official . And according to Frances Fitzgerald she assured the EPP that she’ll continue to back Ireland when it comes to Brexit. 

Out words: of Ireland 

Dur: 00:20

Wallace says he’ll work hard to get voice heard in Europe

The Independents for change MEP Mick Wallace says it will be a challenge for himself and his colleague Clare Daly to get their voices heard in the European Parliament. 

The new Ireland South MEP was speaking in Strasbourg where the Parliament began its new term this week following last May’s elections.

Mr Wallace says himself and Clare Daly won’t enjoy the same speaking time to as they did in the Dáil.

Out words: very hard

Dur: 00:30   

Ireland’s “tax haven” role “complicit” in making billions hungry – Wallace

Ireland’s role as a tax haven is adding to global injustices and it has to stop. That’s the view of the Independents for Change MEP Mick Wallace.

The new Ireland South MEP was speaking in Strasbourg where the Parliament began its new term this week following last May’s elections.

He says the interests of large corporations and big businesses come before the citizens of Europe and that Ireland’s tax policies are facilitating injustices.

Out words: tax haven

Dur: 00:37

Incoming Commission boss supports “Withdrawal Agreement” – Fitzgerald

The incoming EU Commission president has expressed her support of the Brexit Withdrawal agreement and Ireland’s position on it.

So says the Fine Gael MEP Frances Fitzgerald who was speaking in the European Parliament. Today Ursula Von Der Leyen met MEPs from the European People’s Party which is the European group her own CDU party in Germany is a member of.

EU leaders yesterday nominated Ms Von Der Leyen for the EU’s top job after weeks of wrangling over who should take over from Jean-Claude Juncker once he steps down later this year.

Out words: to hear

Dur: 00:23

European Parliament president vote a “grubby deal” – Carthy

MEPs in the European Parliament today voted for an Italian socialist MEP to be their new president.

David-Maria Sassoli is a former journalist who was first elected to the European Parliament in 2009. He won a majority of votes in a second ballot.  

The European People’s Party Group did not put forward a candidate for the presidency. That's because EU leaders yesterday agreed to nominate a German minister for the European Commission presidency. Ursula von der Leyen is a member of the CDU party which is part of the EPP Group.

The Sinn Fein MEP Matt Carthy says the votes were stitched up in a backroom deal between powerful EU leaders. 

Out words: European level

Dur: 00:36

Farage reckons UK will stay in EU for another couple of years

The Leader of the UK Brexit Party Nigel Farage says he believes the Brexit deadline of October the thirty first (31^st) will be extended and that the UK will end up remaining within the bloc for another couple of years.

Mr Farage believes the arrival of either Jeremy Hunt or Boris Johnson to Downing Street won’t change matters when it comes to the Brexit negotiations.

Out words: just leave

Dur: 00:38