EuroParlRadio

Northern Ireland could be like “flipside” of Greenland– Carthy

Northern Ireland could enjoy a special status and remain within the Single market and Custom’s union post Brexit. That’s according to the Sinn Fein MEP Matt Carthy. The Midlands North-West MEP says there are plenty of examples in the world where places were granted exemptions from general rules. The European Parliament today voted on a resolution setting out its position on the current round of Brexit talks. The document recognises the “unique position” and “special circumstances” of the island of Ireland. And it calls for the avoidance of a hardening of the border. Here’s Matt Carthy.

Out words: to see

Dur: 00:30

Brexit vote gives mandate for NI special status – Carthy

The Sinn Fein MEP Matt Carthy says a European Parliament resolution on Brexit paves the way for Northern Ireland to remain within the EU single market and customs union. Mr Carthy was referring to a vote today on the resolution which sets out the Parliament’s position on the current phase of Brexit talks. He pointed to a clause in it that refers to Theresa May’s recent comments that there should be no physical border infrastructure between the Republic and Northern Ireland.

Out words: two institutions

Dur: 00:40

MEPs vote to protect Northern Ireland peace process in Brexit – Clune

The European Parliament this morning voted for a document that calls for the stability of the Northern Ireland peace process to be recognised during the Brexit talks. It also stresses the need to prevent a hardening of the border between the Republic and Northern Ireland. Over five hundred and fifty MEPs voted for a resolution that sets out the European Parliament’s position on the Brexit talks. The document referred to other key issues such as Citizens’ rights and the financial settlement. The Fine Gael MEP Deirdre Clune says the Parliament recognises Ireland’s special circumstances when it comes to Brexit.

Out words: these negotiations

Dur: 00:32 

Ireland’s ‘special circumstances’ recognised in EU Brexit vote – Clune

The special circumstances of Ireland when it comes to the Brexit negotiations were recognised in a resolution passed by an overwhelming majority of MEPs this morning. Over five hundred and fifty MEPs passed the resolution that sets out the European Parliament’s position on Brexit for an upcoming EU summit. The document centres on the three key issues which are the focus of the first phase of the Brexit negotiations. They are Northern Ireland, Citizens’ rights and the financial settlement. The resolution stresses the importance of the Good Friday Agreement and the prevention of a hardening of the border between the Republic and Northern Ireland. The Fine Gael MEP Deirdre Clune welcomed today’s vote.

Out words: and respected

Dur: 00:30

European Parliament passes resolution on Brexit – Kelly

The European Parliament this morning voted by an overwhelming majority to adopt a resolution on Brexit that includes the recognition of the “special circumstances confronting the island of Ireland”. The resolution sets out the Parliament’s position on Brexit for the EU 27 summit that takes place in Brussels later this month. In its references to Ireland the resolution states that the Good Friday Agreement should “be preserved in all of its parts” and that “a hardening of the border be avoided”. The Fine Gael MEP Sean Kelly now explains

Out words: for us

Dur: 00:38

 

Huge frustration on Brexit talks – Ni Riada

The state of the current Brexit talks was debated in the European Parliament this morning. The President of the European Commission Jean-Claude Juncker told MEPs the negotiations were still centred on sorting out the first phase of issues which are Northern Ireland, Citizens’ rights and the financial settlement. The Sinn Fein MEP Liadh Ni Riada says it will be difficult to move onto the next phase of talks until the first set of issues is dealt with.

Out words: to exist

Dur: 00:21

Necessity of Good Friday Agreement recognised by MEPs – Ni Riada

The President of the European Commission Jean-Claude Juncker told the European Parliament this morning that not enough progress has been made on the Brexit negotiations to move beyond the initial phase. At the moment the talks are focused on three issues. They are citizens’ rights, Northern Ireland and the financial settlement. The EU wants to see significant progress on these specific issues before the next phase of the negotiations begins. The Sinn Fein MEP Liadh Ni Riada says that MEPs recognise the significance of the Good Friday Agreement when it comes to the Brexit talks.

Out words: of that

Dur: 00:37

Retention of peace in Northern Ireland ‘absolute priority’ – Verhofstadt

The President of the European Commission told the European Parliament this morning that not enough progress has been made on the Brexit talks to move beyond the initial phase of negotiations. Jean-Claude Juncker was addressing MEPs before their vote on a resolution on the Brexit talks. The resolution sets out the Parliament’s position on Brexit for the EU 27 summit that takes place in Brussels later this month. During the debate the Parliament’s chief Brexit coordinator, Guy Verhofstadt talked about his recent visit to Northern Ireland. He told MEPs it was crucial to ensure peace continued there.

Out words: certainly return

Dur: 00:37

Brexit coordinator pleads for peace in Northern Ireland – Verhofstadt

The European Parliament’s chief Brexit co.ordinator Guy Verhofstadt pleaded with MEPs this morning to ensure that peace continues in Northern Ireland following the British withdrawal from the EU. Mr Verhofstadt was speaking during a debate in the European Parliament on a resolution on the Brexit talks. The resolution sets out the Parliament’s position on Brexit for the EU 27 summit that takes place in Brussels later this month. The EU wants to see significant progress on three specific issues before it starts discussions on the future relationship. They are citizens’ rights, Northern Ireland and the financial settlement. During his address, Mr Verhofstadt spoke about his recent trip to Belfast. 

Out words: have done

Dur: 00:37

Race to the bottom on wages needs to end – Harkin

People should be paid the same wages for the same work in the same place no matter what country they come from. That’s the call from the Independent MEP Marian Harkin. She was commenting on similar calls made during the week by the European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker. During his State of the Union address to the European Parliament he stressed that there can be no second class workers and that people should be paid for the same work in the same country.  Sometimes, companies who send employees to other EU countries to work temporarily, end up paying them less wages than their local counterparts. Marian Harkin says that practice has to stop.  

Out words: any other

Dur: 00:33