EuroParlRadio

Wind back in Europe’s sails – Juncker tells European Parliament

The President of the European Commission said the wind was back in Europe’s sails during his annual State of the Union Address this morning in the European Parliament. Jean-Claude Juncker told MEPs that a year ago the EU was not in a good state and that Europe was battered and bruised by circumstances that had shaken its foundations. But he said that today Europe is in a better place with European economies gathering momentum and progress being made with each passing day.

Out words: member state

Dur: 00:30

Brexit could result in more MEPs for Ireland – McGuinness

An interesting twist from the Brexit fallout could result in two extra MEP seats for Ireland. Britain currently has seventy three (73) MEPs. They’ll all lose their seats once the UK leaves the EU. And last night the European parliament debated a report on the future composition of the Parliament post-Brexit. One of its recommendations is the re-distribution of twenty two (22) of the seventy three UK seats among some of the remaining EU countries. According to the Fine Gael MEP Mairead McGuinness, Ireland would gain two extra MEP seats as a result of that re-distribution.

Out words: member states

Dur: 00:43

EU scheme for free Wifi approved by European Parliament – Ni Riada

An EU scheme for free wifi in public places like hospitals and train stations in the EU is on its way. The European Parliament today approved the initiative which will fund the rolling out of free internet access in more than six thousand communities (6000) across the EU. In order to be eligible, public bodies should cover operating costs for at least three years and offer free, easy to access and secure connectivity to users. The Sinn Fein MEP Liadh Ni Riada says the scheme will help improve internet access in places like rural Ireland

Out words: of that

Dur: 00:24

MEPs approve free internet access in public areas – Kelly

The European Parliament today approved an EU scheme that will help fund the provision of free wifi in public places such as hospitals, libraries, parks, and train and bus stations. The aim of the initiative is to provide more than six thousand communities in the EU with free high-speed Wi-Fi by 2020. EU funding for the scheme will be based on a first come first served basis. The Fine Gael MEP Sean Kelly is urging public authorities and local communities back home to apply for the funding early on to ensure they can benefit from it.

Out words: due course

Dur: 00:33

Kelly slams Brexit negotiators in European Parliament

The Fine Gael MEP Sean Kelly slammed the British government in the European Parliament for using what he called empty buzzwords and suggestions during the Brexit talks. Mr Kelly’s comments followed a debate in the parliament last night on what to do with the seventy three (73) British MEP seats once the UK leaves the EU. After the debate Mr Kelly berated the UK for its dithering during the Brexit talks.

Out words: Kingdom press

Dur: 00:38

MEPs want to reduce size of European Parliament

MEPs want to reduce the size of the European Parliament once Britain leaves the EU. Last night in Strasbourg they debated the future composition of the parliament post-Brexit. The UK currently has seventy three (73) MEPs. MEPs have suggested re-distributing twenty two of those seats while keeping the remaining fifty one (51) for possible EU enlargement or potential pan-European lists. There’s a possibility that Ireland could gain up to two MEP seats if some of the British seats were re-distributed. The Sinn Fein MEP Liadh Ni Riada says that would be a good thing for Ireland.

Out words: additional seats

Dur: 00:13

Ireland ‘may gain’ MEP seats post Brexit – Ni Riada

Ireland may gain more MEP seats once Britain leaves the EU. That’s according to the Sinn Fein MEP Liadh Ni Riada who was speaking in the European Parliament in Strasbourg. Last night MEPs debated what should happen to the seventy three (73) seats that are currently held by British MEPs. A number of proposals are being discussed including re-distributing up to 22 of those seats among the remaining 27 EU countries. Ireland could benefit if that option was approved. Here’s Liadh Ni Riada. 

Out words: pans out

Dur: 00:29

Deadly strains of TB on the rise – European Parliament

By 2050 an estimated ten million people will die every year in the EU because of drug resistant diseases. And a quarter of them will die from drug resistant strains of tuberculosis (TB). That’s according to the European Parliament which is calling on the European Commission to come up with a long term programme to tackle the increase in deadly epidemics across the EU. The Sinn Fein MEP Lynn Boylan says the over prescription of antibiotics in animals is contributing to nastier and more lethal strains of TB. And the Dublin MEP says there is now an EU plan to tackle antimicrobial resistance.

Out words: new antibiotics

Dur: 00:33

Drug-resistant diseases causing increase in epidemics – Boylan

Drug resistant diseases are on the rise because of an over use of antibiotics by humans and animals. That’s according to the Sinn Fein MEP Lynn Boylan. She was speaking in the European Parliament which this week called on the European Commission to address the increase in life-threatening diseases such as HIV-Aids, tuberculosis (TB) and hepatitis C. MEPs say the number of people affected by drug resistant epidemics is spreading. They’re calling for a plan of action to address that increase in deadly diseases. Here’s Lynn Boylan.

Out words: of antibiotics

Dur: 00:26

Irish ‘surrendering’ hopes on good Brexit deal – Carthy

The Sinn Fein MEP Matt Carthy says Ireland needs to step up to the mark and argue its case much more strongly during the Brexit negotiations. The Midlands North-West MEP’s comments follow a vote yesterday in the European Parliament rejecting a proposal to give Northern Ireland special designated status in the EU. Matt Carthy says those negotiating on Ireland’s behalf, need to take a tougher stance.

Out words: hard border

Dur: 00:33