EuroParlRadio

Mc Guinness Labels Proposed Unfair Trading Practices Law as 'historic'

The EU has taken the first steps in outlawing Unfair Trading Practices in the food supply chain.

The European Parliament’s Agriculture Committee this week backed new laws that would give farmers the possibility to complain, in confidence, where they believe buyers are engaging in UTPs.

MEP for Midlands North-West, Mairead McGuinness, who is a member of the Committee, says it allows farmers to have their concerns addressed by an authority which must act and investigate.

The Vice President of the European Parliament and Fine Gael MEP has labelled the proposed new law ‘historic”:

Out word: powerless
Dur: 31'

More Opportunities to Expand Irish and Canadian Air Services - Clune

An EU-Canada air transport agreement will benefit consumers and businesses in Ireland, according to Ireland South MEP Deirdre Clune.

MEPs meeting in Strasbourg voted on the last stages of the deal this week.

It paves the way for further expansion of airline services between the trading blocks.

In Ireland, services currently operate from Dublin and Shannon airports.

Fine Gael MEP, Deirdre Clune is a member of the European Parliament’s Transport Committee.

She says the air deal allows for more commercial activity

Out words: in Ireland
Dur: 36’

Carthy Calls on Irish Government to Ensure EU Maintains Strong Support for Ireland in Brexit Talks

The European Parliament’s Brexit Steering Group has called for negotiations on a Withdrawal Agreement to intensify.

In a statement, it says without an operational backstop for the border, the European Parliament would not be in a position to give its consent to the Withdrawal Agreement.

It comes as the Taoiseach visits Brussels for talks with the President of the European Council, Donald Tusk and the EU’s Chief Brexit Negotiator, Michel Barnier.

While the Chair of the European Parliament’s Steering Group, Guy Verhofstadt will also meet Leo Varadkar.

The meetings come after the Conservative Party Conference in Britain ended, where Brexit dominated proceedings.

Sinn Fein MEP for Ireland South, Matt Carthy, says the Irish Government must ensure the EU maintains a strong position in support of Irish interests

Out words: European Union

Dur: 16’

Irish Government Must Stand Firm in Brexit Talks - Carthy

Sinn Fein MEP Matt Carthy says the Government needs to stand firm in relation to the North, in Brexit talks.

The Taoiseach is visiting Brussels today for discussions with the President of the European Council, Donald Tusk and the EU’s Chief Brexit negotiator, Michel Barnier.

The future of the border in Ireland is a key stumbling block in the negotiations, with just two weeks to go before a key EU leaders summit.

Today’s meeting comes after the Conservative Party conference in Britain, where the UK Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt compared the EU to the Soviet Union.

While DUP Leader Arlene Foster provoked an angry response, earlier this week, by suggesting the Good Friday Agreement was not sacrosanct.

Sinn Fein MEP for Midlands North-West, Matt Carthy says the North must be protected in any Brexit discussions:

Out words: those principles

Dur: 24’

EU-Canada Air Transport Agreement Presents Opportunities for Ireland - Clune

The European Parliament has given its approval to the last stages of an EU-Canada air transport agreement.

MEPs meeting in Strasbourg this week, backed the move.

Ireland South MEP, Deirdre Clune, has welcomed the decision and believes it will benefit consumers and businesses.

The agreement comes one year after the trade deal struck between both parties.

Fine Gael MEP, Deirdre Clune says there has been an expansion in flight options to Canada from Ireland as a result of this agreement:

Out words: vice versa

Dur: 21’

Interview - Marian Harkin says Irish Government Will Have the Power to Remove VAT on Defibrillators

Independent MEP for Midlands North-West, Marian Harkin, speaks to Irish journalist Eamonn Torsney about changes to EU VAT rules that will see member states given the power to remove VAT from defibrillators.

MEPs, meeting in Strasbourg, backed plans to overhaul the VAT system across Europe.

Out words: fundraise

Dur: 2”  34’

Interview - Sean Kelly Welcomes Government Decision to Hold Public Consultation on Clock Change Proposal

Ireland South MEP, Sean Kelly, discusses with Irish journalist Eamonn Torsney the government’s decision to hold a public consultation on ending the practice of changing the clocks twice a year.

The move is in response to a European Commission proposal to end the practice in 2019.

Fine Gael MEP, Sean Kelly, wants the Irish government’s consultation to be conducted quickly and believes common sense has to prevail to prevent two time zones in Ireland

Out words: very welcome

Dur: 3” 56’

Common Sense Has to Prevail to Prevent Two Time Zones in Ireland - Kelly

Common sense should prevail when it comes to ending the practice of changing clocks twice a year.

That’s the view of Ireland South MEP, Sean Kelly, over fears two time zones could emerge in Ireland, if Britain takes a different approach to an EU decision to end the practice in Spring.

Governments have until April next year to inform the EU Commission whether they want to maintain permanent winter or summer time.

The Irish Government will carry out a public consultation process on the proposal.

Fine Gael MEP, Sean Kelly, believes any differences between the north and south of Ireland can be avoided:

Out words: across Europe

Dur: 33’

Interview - Lynn Boylan Discusses New Targets to Cut Emissions in New Cars Backed By MEPs

Eamonn Torsney talks Sinn Fein MEP, Lynn Boylan about the new emissions targets proposed by the European Parliament’s Environment Committee.

MEPs in Strasbourg voted in favour of the proposals that would see a 45 per cent target for reducing EU fleet-wide emissions for new cars by 2030.

Carmakers would also have to ensure that zero and low-emission vehicles would receive a boost in market share.

Out words: as well

Dur: 3” 20’

MEPS Back Measures to Remove VAT on Defibrillators

The government is being urged to act on new powers it will have to determine VAT rates on defibrillators.

MEPs, meeting in Strasbourg, have backed an overhaul of the VAT system across Europe, both to simplify it and improve cross border clarity.

Member states will have more flexibility, in certain cases, to decide the rate applicable to some products.

Among those are defibrillators, which currently attract a 23 per cent rate.

In the past the Irish government has said its hands are tied when it to comes to decision making on VAT.

That will now change when the European Council adopts the legislation approved by the parliament.

Independent MEP for Midlands North-West, Marian Harkin, says she wants the Government to remove VAT from defibrillators:

Out words:  fundraise

Dur: 25’