EuroParlRadio

MEP pays tribute to Captain Dara Fitzpatrick– McGuinness

The Midlands North-West MEP Mairead McGuinness has paid tribute to Captain Dara Fitzpatrick who lost her life in the Coast Guard crash. Ms McGuinness says people like Captain Fitzpatrick and her crew are great, brave people who never flinch from their duties and who put themselves entirely at risk of nature to save others. The Fine Gael MEP had this to say about Captain Fitzpatrick.

Out words: time ahead

Dur: 00:41

Wilders won’t be in Dutch government – Hayes

Voting is well underway in today’s elections in the Netherlands. The race is dominated by the Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte’s centre-right party and the populist leader Geert Wilders’s Freedom Party. It’s the first of three crucial elections in Europe. Next month the French go to the polls to elect a new president. And German elections take place in September. The Fine Gael MEP Brian Hayes says it’s unlikely Mr Wilders will end up in government despite his popularity in the polls.

Out words: going to happen

Dur: 00:33

EU gun laws could hamper sports shooters, hunters and gun collectors – Harkin

People who use guns legitimately for leisure or collecting and exhibition purposes could be negatively impacted by new EU rules on firearms. That’s according to the Independent MEP Marian Harkin. The European Parliament today approved a revised EU gun law that’s supposed to tighten up gun controls and close security loopholes. It was a response to the Paris attacks where illegal guns were used to kill innocent victims. However, Marian Harkin voted against the new laws because she says they were rushed through and were too heavy-handed.

Out words: European citizens

Dur: 00:31

New EU gun laws ‘sledgehammer’ tactics – Harkin

The Independent MEP Marian Harkin has described new EU laws on gun control as rushed and over-the-top. The European Parliament today approved a revised gun law that’s supposed to close security loopholes and tighten controls on use of weapons within the EU. The measures were a response to the Paris attacks where illegal guns were used to kill innocent victims. But the Midlands North-West MEP says they will negatively impact many legitimate gun owners in her constituency such as hunters, sports shooters and collectors. She’s accusing the European Commission of rushing through the legislation without properly assessing its impact.

Out words: it is

Dur: 00:39

MEPs vow to tackle massive food waste in EU – McGuinness

We waste a whopping eighty nine million tonnes of food every year in the EU. That’s according to the European Parliament which today called for a 50% (fifty percent) reduction in food waste by 2030. It’s all part of a drive to make the EU more sustainable and to encourage the growth of a circular economy. The Fine Gael MEP Mairead McGuinness says our massive wastage of food and other resources can’t continue. 

Out words: food waste

Dur: 00:27

MEPs demand 50% reduction in food waste and huge hike in recycling– McGuinness

The European Parliament is calling for a massive reduction in food waste and a huge rise in recycling. MEPs today voted for proposals to reduce our food waste by 50% by 2030. And they want the share of waste we recycle to rise to 70% (seventy percent) by the same date. MEPs also called for the share of landfilling for waste to be limited to 5% (five percent). It’s all part of a move towards a circular economy in which resources are kept in use for as long as possible. According to the European Parliament, we waste nearly ninety million tonnes of food every year. Here’s the Fine Gael MEP Mairead McGuinness.

Out words: and rising

Dur: 00:37

New EU gun laws shouldn’t inhibit sports shooters - Hayes

The European Parliament today approved revised gun control laws that are supposed to prevent dangerous weapons getting into the wrong hands. The updates include tighter controls on blank-firing and inadequately deactivated weapons like those used in the Paris terror attacks. The Dublin MEP Brian Hayes says he was contacted by a lot of constituents involved in amateur sports shooting. They were concerned the new rules could inhibit their use of weapons.

Out words: to do

Dur: 00:30

European Parliament votes for new EU gun Rules

The European Parliament has today voted for revised gun laws that are aimed at closing security loopholes and cracking down on illegal gun ownership. The new rules include a requirement by EU countries to have a monitoring system in place for the issuance or renewal of firearms licences. The Fine Gael MEP Brian Hayes says any attempt to limit the use of semi-automatic weapons across Europe has to be welcomed.

Out words: wrong hands

Dur: 00:40

Second Scottish independence referendum call ‘inevitable’ – Kelly

The fallout from Scotland’s First Minister Nicola Sturgeon’s call for a second independence referendum will be watched closely here (in Ireland) by those in favour of a referendum on a United Ireland. European leaders and politicians are gearing up for tough Brexit negotiations once Britain’s Prime Minister triggers Article 50. Theresa May will also have to contend with Brexit opponents in Scotland and Northern Ireland which both voted against it. The Fine Gael MEP Sean Kelly says Ms Sturgeon’s call was inevitable.

Out words: the discussions

Dur: 00:34

Unity of EU 27 ‘primary concern’ on Brexit – Kelly

MEPs have been reacting to yesterday’s vote in the British Parliament on Brexit. Theresa May secured the backing of MPs to trigger Article 50 of the Lisbon Treaty which will set in motion Britain’s departure from the EU. Once Article 50 is invoked the tricky process of brokering an acceptable deal to all will formally begin. The European Parliament will have to vote on the final Brexit agreement. The Fine Gael MEP Sean Kelly says maintaining the unity of the other 27 member countries will be a key priority during the negotiations.

Out words: negotiations develop

Dur: 00:40