EuroParlRadio

Kelly Welcomes Government Consultation on EU Clock Change

Ireland South MEP, Sean Kelly, has welcomed 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.

Last month, Commission President, Jean-Claude Juncker, called for the change in his State of the Union address.

A survey of EU citizens showed overwhelming support for the move.

Fine Gael MEP, Sean Kelly, wants the Irish government’s consultation to be conducted quickly:

Out words: generally

Dur: 38’

New EU Law Could Reassure Public on Car Emissions - Boylan

Higher targets to cut emissions from new cars to tackle climate change, could be approved today by the European Parliament.

MEPs, meeting in Strasbourg, will vote on the plans that would see emissions cut by 45 per cent by 2030.

It is in a bid to meet climate change commitments made as part of the Paris Agreement.

Sinn Fein MEP for Dublin, Lynn Boylan says the new measures, if passed, would also reassure the public manufacturers would honour the commitments :

Out words: pay for

Dur: 36’

MEPs Decide on Ambitious Emissions Targets for New Cars - Boylan

MEPs will decide today whether to back new targets to cut emissions from new cars.

The measures would also see efforts to boost the market share of zero and low-emission vehicles.

The European Parliament's Environment Committee wants to see a 45 per cent reduction in emissions by 2030 for new cars.

The move is an attempt by the European Union to meet commitments made as part of the Paris Agreement on Climate Change.

Sinn Fein MEP for Dublin, Lynn Boylan says the ambitious targets are necessary:

Out words: it down

Dur: 35’

Government to Get Power to Change VAT Rate on Defibrillators - Harkin

The Government could soon be able to remove VAT from defibrillators following a decision of the European Parliament.

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

Member states will have more flexibility, in certain cases,to determine the rates applicable to product categories, including defibrillators.

Independent MEP for Midlands North-West, Marian Harkin, says the devices play a significant role in reducing fatality rates from a sudden cardiac event:

Out words: this issue

Dur: 41’

Ireland One Of The Worst EU States in Terms of Extending Voting Rights to Citizens Abroad - Hayes

It is claimed Ireland is one of the worst EU Member States in terms of extending voting rights to its citizens living abroad.

That’s according to Fine Gael MEP Brian Hayes.

He made his comments as the European Parliament in Strasbourg debated the issue of voting rights ahead of the European Elections next year.

The Dublin MEP says the Government needs to get its act together on the issue.

Brian Hayes says thousands of Irish people working abroad are missing out on their right to vote:

Out words: from them

Dur: 29’

Government Should Extend Voting Rights to Irish Citizens Living Abroad - Hayes

The Government is being called on to extend voting rights to Irish citizens living abroad.

Elections for the European Parliament take place in May and a Dublin MEP is urging authorities to address the issue in time for the poll.

MEPs in Strasbourg have been debating the protection of rights of EU nationals living in another member state in national and European elections.

Ireland has one of the worst records in the EU when it comes to allowing people living abroad to vote, according to Fine Gael MEP Brian Hayes.

He says the issue will be of particular significance for the hundreds of thousands of Irish people living in Britain next year, after Brexit:

Out words: previous constituency

Dur: 46’

Interview - Lynn Boylan Reacts to Comments Made by the DUP Leader on the Good Friday Agreement and Brexit

Speaking to Irish journalist Eamonn Torsney Sinn Fein MEP Lynn Boylan discusses the comments made by the DUP leader Arlene Foster in relation to the Good Friday Agreement and Brexit talks.

The Dublin MEP outlines the approach taken by MEPs in Strasbourg as they debated the upcoming leaders summit and heard from the President of the European Commission Jean-Claude Junker that Europe would maintain an ‘Ireland First' approach.

Out words: Ireland first

Dur: 4” 55’

DUP leader 'playing dangerous game' with Good Friday Agreement Comments - Boylan

The DUP leader has been accused of playing a ‘dangerous game’ by suggesting the Good Friday Agreement is not sacrosanct.

Arlene Foster told the Telegraph that the deal could be altered to accommodate a deal on Brexit.

Meanwhile, at the European Parliament in Strasbourg, MEPs debated the upcoming leaders summit, where progress on Brexit needs to be achieved in order to strike a deal.

They heard the EU Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker re-iterate Europe’s ‘Ireland First’ approach to the discussions.

Sinn Fein MEP for Dublin, Lynn Boylan is hitting out at the DUP’s approach:

Out words: she’s playing

Dur: 38’

Foster's Good Friday Agreement Comments 'reckless' - Boylan

Arlene Foster’s comments on the Good Friday Agreement have been labelled reckless by a Dublin MEP.

It is after the DUP leader said the accord was not sacrosanct.

Meanwhile, the European Parliament in Strasbourg debated the upcoming leaders summit, where negotiations on Brexit will reach a crucial stage.

Commission President, Jean-Claude Juncker, insisted Europe would maintain an ‘Ireland First’ approach in Brexit talks.

Sinn Fein MEP, Lynn Boylan, is strongly critical of the DUP’s approach to the issue:

Out words: reckless

Dur: 32’

Interview - Sean Kelly MEP discusses New Regulations to Protect Children from Harmful Content on Video-on-Demand and Sharing Platforms Backed by MEPs

Sean Kelly MEP discusses with irish journalist Eamonn Torsney the challenges faced implementing new rules governing video-on-demand services and the removal of harmful content which have been backed by MEPs meeting in Strasbourg.

The measures are aimed to protect children while there will be stricter advertising rules also.

The new regulations on audio-visual media also require 30 per cent European content on video-on-demand platform catalogues.

Dur: 2" 27'