EuroParlRadio

EU report citing Ireland as tax haven “not supportive” – McGuinness

Irish MEPs have been reacting to the conclusions of a special European Parliament committee that was set up to fight tax crimes at an EU and global level.

MEPs this week debated and approved the Committee’s concluding report following a one-year inquiry.

The committee made a number of recommendations and findings. It concluded that Ireland, Belgium, Cyprus, Hungary, Luxembourg, Malta and The Netherlands displayed traits of being tax havens and facilitators of aggressive tax planning.

The Fine Gael MEP Mairead McGuinness says the Party’s four MEPs voted against the report.  

Out words: happy with

Dur: 00:38

Ireland’s “Tax haven” label by European Parliament “expected” – McGuinness

The Fine Gael MEP Mairead McGuinness says she rejects the findings of a European Parliament report that names Ireland as a tax haven.  

The Midlands North-West MEP  was referring to the conclusions of a special European Parliament committee that was set up to fight tax crimes at an EU and global level.

MEPs this week approved the Committee’s concluding report following a one-year inquiry.

It produced a number of recommendations and findings including citing seven EU countries such as Ireland, Luxembourg, Malta and the Netherlands for displaying traits of being tax havens and facilitating aggressive tax planning.

Out words: the House

Dur: 00:37

MEPs still doing business despite Brexit – Clune

MEPs in the European Parliament are still going about their business despite the amount of time taken up by Brexit.

That’s according to the Fine Gael MEP Deidre Clune who was speaking in the European Parliament in Strasbourg.

Brexit was once again on the Parliament’s agenda this week . However, Deirdre Clune says other work was also tackled.

Out word: goes on

Dur: 00:33

MEPs back new CO2 emissions limits for cars and vans – Clune

Plans to reduce greenhouse-gas emissions from cars and vans by 2030 will have a positive impact on Ireland’s climate change record.

That’s the view of the Fine Gael MEP Deidre Clune who was talking about a vote this week in the European Parliament on new CO2 emissions limits for cars and vans.

As a result of the new rules in 2030, emissions from new cars will have to be thirty seven point five percent (37.5%) lower. And emissions from new vans will have to be thirty one percent (31%) lower compared to twenty twenty one (2021).

The new CO2 standards are all part of a stepping stone towards a climate-neutral economy.

Here’s Deidre Clune.

Out words: change performance 

Dur: 00:19 

There’ll be much relief in EU if May’s deal is passed – Harkin

There would be much relief in the EU if Theresa May manages to pass her Brexit deal.

So says the Independent MEP Marian Harkin. The EU27 had told the UK they would need to pass the Withdrawal Agreement by Friday.

However, the British Prime Minister may have another go next week and ask the House of Commons to vote on it again.  

That would mean a delay to Friday’s deadline.  Here’s Marian Harkin.

Out words: goes through

Dur: 00:40

 

“Friction and difficulty” likely if UK in future European Parliament – Harkin

The chaos in Westminster over Theresa May’s Brexit agreement raises the possibility that the UK will have to ask for a longer extension to Article fifty until a deal is struck.  

That would mean they’d have to participate in the European Parliament elections and send MEPs back to Brussels and Strasbourg.

However, the Independent MEP Marian Harkin says the presence of British MEPs in a new Parliament would be difficult.

Out words: time out

Dur: 00:25

MEPs back ban on throwaway plastics by 2021 – Boylan

The European Parliament today approved a new law banning single-use plastic items such as plates, cutlery, straws, plastics balloon sticks and cotton bud sticks made of plastic. 

They are to be banned in the EU by 2021.  

The new law also sets a 90% (ninety percent) collection target for plastic bottles by 2029. And it states that recycled materials should make up twenty five percent (25%) of each plastic bottle by 2025. That’s to increase to thirty percent 30% by 2030.

The agreement also strengthens the application of the polluter pays principle. This new regime will also apply to fishing gear, to ensure that manufacturers, and not fishermen, bear the costs of collecting nets lost at sea.

The Sinn Fein MEP Lynn Boylan welcomed today’s vote but she says much more needs to be done to reduce plastic waste.

Out words: first step 

Dur: 00:31

“Tricky situation” if UK contest EU elections – McGuinness

It will be a tricky situation for Ireland if the UK ends up contesting the EU elections.

That’s the view of the Fine Gael MEP Mairead McGuinness. She was referring to the fact that Ireland is set to gain two MEP seats following the UK’s exit from the EU.

 However Theresa May’s ongoing failure to win MPs support for her Withdrawal Deal may push the UK to see a longer extension to Article 50.

If that happens, they’ll be obliged to contest the European Parliament elections in late May. And that throws up numerous questions about the additional two MEP seats for Ireland.

Here’s Mairead McGuinness.

Out words: the situation

Dur: 00:39

UK participation in EU elections poses “difficult” situation for Ireland – McGuinness

The prospect of the UK participating in EU elections will raise challenging issues for Ireland which is set to gain two MEP seats once Britain leaves the EU.  

However, if the UK seeks a long extension to Article 50, then it will have to contest the European Parliament elections which take place between the 23^rd and 26^th of May.

If that’s the case, it’s unclear what will happen to Ireland’s two extra MEP seats.  

The Fine Gael MEP Mairead McGuinness says such a scenario poses a number of questions.

Out words: Kingdom left

Dur: 00:44

Ireland named and shamed as tax haven in EU report – Carthy

Ireland is one of seven countries cited for acting like a tax haven in a new European Parliament report that was approved by MEPs this week.

The report came from a special European Parliament committee that was set up to fight tax crimes at an EU and global level.

The committee made a number of recommendations and findings. It concluded that Belgium, Cyprus, Hungary, Ireland, Luxembourg, Malta and The Netherlands displayed traits of a tax haven and facilitated aggressive tax planning.

The Sinn Fein MEP Matt Carthy claims the government’s enabling of corporate tax avoidance is damaging Ireland’s reputation.

Out words: tax arrangements

Dur: 00:46