EuroParlRadio

Online shopping without borders – Clune

MEPs will today vote for new rules that will give online shoppers wider cross-border access to a range of products including hotel bookings, car rentals or concert tickets. Under the new rules banning unjustified geo-blocking, consumers will be able to choose which website they wish to buy goods or services from without being blocked or automatically re-routed to another website. That can happen because of their nationality, place of residence or even their temporary location. The Fine Gael MEP Deirdre Clune says the new rules will mean Irish shoppers should enjoy better prices for the goods and services they purchase online.

Out words: across Europe

Dur: 00:38

“Just crazy” that EU meetings organised without MEPs - Harkin

The Independent MEP Marian Harkin says it defies logic that meetings on the future of Europe have been organised on dates when the MEPs have to vote in the European Parliament in Strasbourg. The Midlands North-West MEP was referring to the Future of Europe Citizens’ Dialogue which was launched last November. The plan is to hold a number of regional meetings between now and the 9^th of May which should give citizens and key speakers the opportunity to air their views on Europe’s future. However, Marian Harkin says that two of the three meetings planned in her constituency are taking place on days MEPs have to vote in Strasbourg. The Department of Foreign Affairs says the dates chosen for the meetings are based “on the availability of both the venues and the facilitators of the events”. 

Out words: to respond

Dur: 00:33

SEE BELOW STATEMENT FROM DEPARTMENT OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS:

“The Future of Europe Citizens’ Dialogue series is an opportunity to engage with citizens to hear their views, opinions and insights about the European Union. They will provide an occasion at which the general public can talk about the EU, and how it affects them. The dates that have been chosen for the Dialogue events are based on the availability of both the venues and the facilitators of the events. While it regrettable that the dates coincide with the European Parliament Plenary weeks in Strasbourg, those who are unable to attend the dialogues themselves can make submissions to contribute to the Future of Europe discussion online at www.dfa.ie/eu.”

Interview with Marian Harkin on Citizen’s Dialogue meetings faux pas

Karen Coleman talks by phone with the Independent MEP Marian Harkin on her concerns about the dates of the meetings of the Citizens' Dialogue on the Future of Europe in the Midlands North-West Constituency. In the interview she refers to correspondence with Minister of State for European Affairs, Helen McEntee. 

Out words: citizens’ dialogue

Dur: 5:04

 

MEP slams Future of Europe Citizens’ Dialogue initiative – Harkin

The Independent MEP Marian Harkin has condemned a new initiative that will see a series of public meetings held around the country to discuss the future of Europe. The Future of Europe Citizens’ Dialogue, which was officially launched by the Taoiseach last November, will be organised by the Department of Foreign Affairs and the European Movement Ireland. The plan is to hold a number of regional meetings between now and the 9^th of May which should give citizens and key speakers the opportunity to air their views on Europe’s future. However, Marian Harkin says that two of the three meetings planned in her constituency of Midlands North-West are taking place on days MEPs have to vote in the European Parliament in Strasbourg. She says it’s essential that MEPs be present to answer people’s questions about Europe and that the organisers of the meetings should have ensured they were held on days the MEPs could attend.

Out words: cannot attend

Dur: 00:42

Interview with Liadh Ni Riada on free InterRail tickets

Karen Coleman talks to the Sinn Fein MEP Liadh Ni Riada about a pilot EU scheme that will see 20,000 free InterRail tickets been given to 18 year old EU citizens this year. 

Out words: to everybody

Dur: 1:34

MEP urges 18 year olds to avail of free InterRail tickets – Ni Riada

The Sinn Fein MEP Liadh Ni Riada is encouraging 18 year-olds to avail of free InterRail tickets when they become available under a new EU pilot scheme. Last October the European Parliament approved the scheme that will see 20,000 free InterRail tickets being offered to EU teenagers when they reach 18. Liadh Ni Riada says she expects the project to be rolled out in March.

Out words: of money

Dur: 00:36

Interview with McGuinness on Eighth Amendment vote

Karen Coleman talks to the Fine Gael MEP Mairead McGuinness and Vice-President of the European Parliament about the Eighth Amendment vote. The interview was conducted on Tuesday 16^th January in Strasbourg following her attendance at the Fine Gael Parliamentary Party meeting on the 8^th amendment.  

Out words: the debate

Dur: 4:46

McGuinness undecided on Eighth Amendment vote

The Fine Gael MEP Mairead McGuinness is urging people to get as much information as possible on the issues surrounding the Repeal the 8^th referendum. The Midlands North-West MEP says she still hasn’t made up her mind on how she would vote.

Out words: to vote

Dur: 00:36

Interview with the Independent MEP Marian Harkin on Varadkar speech to Parliament

Karen Coleman talked to the Independent MEP Marian Harkin immediately after the Irish Taoiseach Leo Varadkar addressed the European Parliament on Wednesday on the future of Europe.   

Out words: tax base

Dur: 4:34

Interview with the Sinn Fein MEP Lynn Boylan on new EU plastics strategy

Karen Coleman talks to the Sinn Fein MEP Lynn Boylan about the new EU strategy to reduce and recycle plastic waste. The European Commission this week published ambitious new plans to make all plastic packaging on the EU market recyclable by 2030. The plans include proposals to radically reduce the consumption of single-use plastics like coffee cups and drinking water bottles. 

Out words: about it

Dur: 3:45