EuroParlRadio

Taoiseach is a “Brussels man not representing Irish interests” – Farage

Nigel Farage, the leader of the Brexit Party has accused the Taoiseach of putting the interests of Brussels ahead of Ireland. 

Mr Farage was speaking in the European Parliament where his party now has 29 MEP seats.

He told EuroParlRadio that it was “nonsense” to think that Brexit would lead to a hard border between the Republic and Northern Ireland.

Out words: goes on

Dur: 00:47

Top EU jobs not geographically balanced – Sullivan

An Italian MEP from the Centre-left Socialists group has won the presidency of the European Parliament. 

David-Maria Sassoli is a former journalist who was first elected to the European Parliament in 2009. He won three hundred and forty five votes (345) out of six hundred and sixty seven (667) valid votes cast.

The European People’s Party Group did not put forward a candidate for the presidency 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.

However, the Green Party MEP Grace O’Sullivan says the EU’s top jobs aren’t reflecting a geographical balance across the whole of the EU.

Out words: whole Union

Dur: 00:20

Socialist Italian MEP wins presidency of the European Parliament

An Italian MEP from the Centre-left Socialists group has won the presidency of the European Parliament.

David-Maria Sassoli is a former journalist who was first elected to the European Parliament in 2009. He won three hundred and forty five votes (345) out of six hundred and sixty seven (667) valid votes cast.

MEPs will this afternoon vote for the fourteen vice presidents of the Parliament. Candidates include the Fine Gael MEP Mairead McGuinness who served as the first vice president in the previous Parliament.

Her party colleague Sean Kelly says he’s optimistic she’ll win one of the vp positions.

Out words: vice president again

Dur: 00:14

EU Commission President appointment “not a done deal” – O’Sullivan

MEPs in the European Parliament have been reacting to the decision by EU leaders yesterday to nominate a German defence minister for the presidency of the European Commission.

After weeks of wrangling, Ursula Von der Leyen was finally selected to be the new president when Jean-Claude Juncker steps down later this year.

However, the European Parliament has to approve her appointment. And according to the Green MEP for Ireland South Grace O’Sullivan, her approval is not a done deal.

Out words: are concerns

Dur: 00:36

No EPP candidate for Presidency of European Parliament – Kelly

MEPs in Strasbourg have been voting this morning for a new president of the European Parliament. Four candidates from different political groups were selected for the race.

They came from the Greens, the United Left, the Socialists and the European Conservative and Reformists Groups.

The European People’s Party Group didn’t nominate any candidate because an EPP person was chosen yesterday by EU leaders to become the president of the European Commission.

The Fine Gael MEP Sean Kelly explains what’s happening with the vote today.

Out words:

Dur: 00:22

MEPs voting today for new European Parliament president

MEPs in the European Parliament are today voting for a new president. The vote follows yesterday’s agreement by EU leaders on who should fill the top jobs within the EU.

The German defence minister Ursula Von der Leyen was finally selected to be the president of the European Commission.

Today MEPs will pick a leader from four candidates. One of the MEPs up for the top job is Ska Skeller who is a German MEP and a member of the Green Party. She told the Parliament this morning why she felt the EU was so important.

Out words: than ever

Dur: 00:14

Interview Billy Kelleher on Brexit MEPs' back-turning stunt in Parliament today

Karen Coleman talks to the Fianna Fail MEP for Ireland South Billy Kelleher, on the back-turning stunt played by Brexit party MEPs in the European Parliament today.

The Party’s twenty nine MEPs including its leader Nigel Farage, turned their backs and faced the wall when Beethoven’s Ode to Joy was performed.

The anthem was played to mark the beginning of the new term of the European Parliament following last May’s elections.

Billy Kelleher also talks about the Brexit Party’s lack of understanding and care about Ireland in the piece.

Out words: English context

Dur: 2:34

Brexit MEPs “have no concept” of Irish-Border views – Kelleher

MEPs in the European Parliament have been condemning a grandstanding stunt that was performed by Brexit Party MEPs today.

The Party’s twenty nine MEPs including its leader Nigel Farage, turned their backs to the parliament’s podium when Beethoven’s Ode to Joy was performed.

The anthem was played to mark the beginning of the new term of the European Parliament following last May’s elections.

The Fianna Fail MEP Billy Kelleher described the move as “buffoonery at its best”. And he says the Brexit MEPs don’t understand the impact their policies will have on Ireland.

Out words: English context

Dur: 00:36

Brexit MEPs back-turning stunt “buffoonery at its best” – Kelleher

Nigel Farage and his Brexit party MEPs created uproar in the European Parliament today when they turned their backs during the playing of the European anthem.

The anthem was played to mark the beginning of the new term of the European Parliament following last May’s elections.

However the Brexit party’s twenty nine MEPs turned their backs and faced the wall when Beethoven’s Ode to Joy was performed.

The Fianna Fail MEP for Ireland South Billy Kelleher said it was disrespectful for many reasons.  

Out words: bad name

Dur:  00:30

Catalan MEPs should be allowed take EP seats – Maria Walsh

Thousands of Catalan nationalists protested outside the European Parliament in Strasbourg this morning demanding that three Catalan separatist MEPs be allowed to enter the building and take their seats.

The Catalan politicians were elected to the European Parliament in last May’s elections. They include the former Catalan premier Carles Puigdemont, who led an unauthorised independence referendum in October 2017.

The men have been denied access to the European Parliament following a decision by Spanish election authorities. They declared the three separatists failed to follow national laws requiring a personal pledge to comply with the Spanish constitution.   

The Fine Gael MEP Maria Walsh says the men should be allowed to take their seats in the parliament.

 

Out words: over them 

Dur: 00:26