EuroParlRadio

EU-Singapore Trade Agreement “very worrying”– Carthy

The Sinn Fein MEP Matt Carthy says a new trade agreement between the EU and Singapore is very worrying.

MEPs today approved the free trade and investment protection agreement that will remove virtually all tariffs between the EU and Singapore within five years.  Supporters of the agreement say it will be a stepping stone to trade deals with other countries in the region.  

However Matt Carthy says the deal will dilute EU standards and regulations that protect food, consumers and the environment.  And he’s objecting strongly to the inclusion of an investment protection agreement that will be part of the deal.

That provides a court system with independent judges to settle disputes between investors and state.

Out words: can’t even

Dur: 00:33

New EU-Singapore trade deal promises “opportunities” for Ireland – Kelly

A new trade deal between the EU and Singapore will yield plenty of business opportunities for Ireland.

So says the Fine Gael MEP Sean Kelly who was speaking about the trade and investment protection agreement with Singapore that was given the green light today by the European Parliament.

The free trade agreement will remove virtually all tariffs between the EU and Singapore within five years. It will allow for free trade in services, including in retail banking. And it will open up the Singaporean procurement market to EU companies working, for example, in the rail sector.

Supporters of the deal say it can serve as a stepping stone to further free trade deals between the two regions, at a time when the EU can no longer rely on the US as a trading partner.  

Out words: up markets 

Dur: 00:40 

European Parliament gives green light to Singapore Trade Deal – Kelly

MEPs have today approved a new trade and investment protection agreement with Singapore.

The free trade agreement will remove virtually all tariffs between the EU and Singapore within five years.  Supporters of it say it will be a stepping stone to trade deals with other countries in the region.  

The Fine Gael MEP Sean Kelly says the new deal will yield plenty of business opportunities for Ireland.

Out words: opportunities there

Dur: 00: 32

MEPs approve Singapore Trade Agreement – Carthy (against)

A new trade and investment protection agreement with Singapore has today been approved by the European Parliament.

The free trade agreement will remove virtually all tariffs between the EU and Singapore within five years.  Supporters of the agreement say it will be a stepping stone to trade deals with other countries in the region.  

However the Sinn Fein MEP Matt Carthy says this will not be a good deal for Ireland because it includes an investment protection agreement. That provides a court system with independent judges to settle disputes between investors and state.

Out words: not fair

Dur: 00:32

West Cork to launch EU funded “Ability” programme – Ni Riada

A new EU-funded programme for young people with disabilities will be launched today in Clonakilty. 

The West Cork Development Partnership will unveil its “Ability” programme which is co-funded by the Government and the European Social Fund.

The Sinn Fein MEP Liadh Ni Riada who will help launch the event this evening, explains more about the initiative.

Out words: their communities

Dur: 00:29

Aer Lingus caught up in Brexit contingency plans – Clune

The European Parliament will today vote on EU proposals to ensure what they’re calling “basic connectivity” for the aviation industry in the event of a no-deal Brexit.

The EU Commission says its temporary proposals should avoid any interruption of air traffic between the EU and the UK should Britain crash out of the EU without a deal.

The Fine Gael MEP Deidre Clune says the contingency plans will last until the end of 2019. And she says the issue of ownership of airlines in the EU could have an impact on Aer Lingus which is owned by AIG - the parent company of British Airways.

Out words: is important

 

Dur: 00:28

 

MEPs to vote on EU contingency plans for aviation post Brexit – Clune

MEPs will today vote on EU contingency plans for the aviation industry in the event of the UK crashing out of the EU without a deal.

The European Commission is proposing a range of measures to ensure Britain can still operate flights in and out of Europe until the end of 2019.

The Fine Gael MEP Deirdre Clune, who sits on the European Parliament’s Transport Committee, explains what the MEPs will be voting on today.

 

Out words: 00:26

Dur: of connectivity

Reimbursement of cross-border healthcare costs an issue – Clune

Patients in Ireland who avail of healthcare in another EU country, can have problems getting reimbursed for costs they incur when receiving treatment abroad.

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

MEPs today debated the state of the cross-border Healthcare Directive which came into force in 2013. It’s supposed to help EU citizens avail of healthcare in another EU state if they can’t access care in their own country.

However, patients have to pay for the service upfront and get reimbursed from the HSE afterwards. And that’s proving troublesome from some according to Deirdre Clune.

 

Out words: procedure  

 

Dur: 00:26

MEP very alarmed at hard Brexiteers’ pressure on other MEPs – Ni Riada

The Sinn Fein MEP Liadh Ni Riada says hard core Brexit MEPs are putting pressure on MEPs from other countries to support a watering down of the Brexit backstop deal.  

The Ireland South MEP says she’s aware that fellow MEPs from other countries have been approached by hard-line Brexiteers in recent weeks. She says they’re trying to get support to change the backstop.

Out words: going on

Dur: 00:19

Brexit crash out could leave EU short of billions of euro – Ni Riada

A British crash out of the EU could leave the bloc with a shortfall of billions of euro.  

That’s the warning from the Sinn Fein MEP Liadh Ni Riada. She says there’s a real danger the UK will renege on promises made to fulfil its EU financial obligations if it leaves the EU without a deal.  

Out words: further cut

Dur: 00:24