EuroParlRadio

EU-Canada Trade Deal will create ‘thousands of jobs in Ireland’ – Kelly

The final stages of approving the EU-Canada Trade Deal will take place tomorrow in the European Parliament. MEPs will vote on the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement known as CETA. The landmark deal was scuppered late last year when a Belgian regional parliament opposed it. However a compromise was later reached to allay the concerns of those opposing it. The CETA deal will remove tariffs on most goods and services between the EU and Canada and it will open up Canada’s public procurement market to EU countries. The Fine Gael MEP Sean Kelly says the deal will be good for Ireland.

Out words: in Europe

Dur: 00:34

Boylan accuses EU Commissioner of ‘meddling’ in Irish water charges dispute

A Sinn Fein MEP is warning an EU Commissioner to “butt-out” of Ireland’s water charges debate. The Dublin MEP Lynn Boylan has accused the EU Environment Commissioner Karmenu Vella, of having, what she describes as an, “incessant need to meddle in Ireland’s debate on the future of water services”. Sinn Fein argue that water charges can be abolished without breaching the EU Water Framework Directive which makes water charges mandatory. However, Commissioner Vella has signalled his support for a water charging regime in Ireland. Lynn Boylan says the Commissioner shouldn’t interfere until Ireland’s Expert Commission on Water Charges submits its plan on what to do with water charges.

Out words: Irish water

Dur: 00:35

US objections to Norwegian air ‘without foundation’ – Clune

The Fine Gael MEP Deirdre Clune says US objections to Norwegian Air international operating flights from Ireland to the US are unfounded. Over one hundred US congress men and women have written to the president-elect Donald Trump to reverse the US government’s decision to grant a licence to Norwegian Air International. It’s planning on providing flights from Cork and Shannon to Boston and New York. A number of US trade unions have objected to the plans saying the airline will exploit staff with poorer working conditions. However, Deirdre Clune says their opposition isn't justified.  

Out words: very attractive

Dur: 00:35

Clune confident pharmaceutical companies will stay in Ireland

The impact of Brexit and the new Trump administration have dominated European agendas this week. Theresa May’s statement on Brexit received much attention in the European Parliament. And now, all eyes are on Washington as the US capital gears up for the new Trump administration. Mr Trump’s recent promise to get big pharma companies to repatriate their businesses back to the US could have huge implications for Ireland where the drugs and med-tech sectors are significant employers. However, the Fine Gael MEP, Deirdre Clune says she does not think those businesses will up sticks and leave Ireland. 

OUT –in Ireland.

Dur: 00:32

Fears about Trump stalk EU corridors of power – Hayes

The impact of Donald Trump’s presidency, along with the uncertainty of Brexit, have dominated talk in the corridors of the European Parliament this week. The Fine Gael MEP Brian Hayes says MEPs across the EU are worried about the fate of European businesses if the president-elect follows through on threats to impose protectionist measures and lower corporation taxes. 

OUT – doesn’t  happen. 

Dur: 00:25

Protectionism on either side of the pond won't help – Hayes

Moderate republicans in the US Congress may stop incoming US president Donald Trump from pushing through with some of the protectionist policies he’s been threatening.  That’s the hope from the Fine Gael MEP Brian Hayes. Donald Trump has said he wants to repatriate jobs back to the US and cut US corporation tax rates from 35 to 15 percent. Both policies could badly damage the Irish economy. Here’s Brian Hayes.  

OUT –to help.

Dur: 00:39

MEPs call for free wifi in public places – Ni Riada

MEPs in the European Parliament are calling for free wifi in public places. It’s part of an initiative to give people greater access to the internet. The Sinn Fein MEP Liadh Ni Riada, who is on the European Parliament’s Budget Committee, says the initiative is a welcome one at a time when Brexit is dominating European agendas.

Out words: to that

Dur: 00:32

Plight of Irish farmers conveyed to EU chief Brexit negotiator – Kelly

The difficulties Irish farmers are going through because of Brexit have been conveyed to the EU’s chief Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier. So says the Fine Gael MEP Sean Kelly who was one of the Irish MEPs who met Mr Barnier in the European Parliament in Strasbourg this week. Sean Kelly says the French man is well aware of the difficult position Ireland is in because of Brexit.  

Out words: we well

Dur:  00:40

EU Chief Brexit negotiator has ‘open door’ for Irish MEPs – Kelly

The EU’s chief Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier has told Irish MEPs his door will be open to them while the Brexit negotiations are ongoing. That’s according to the Fine Gael MEP Sean Kelly who was one of the Irish MEPs who met Mr Barnier in Strasbourg this week. Brexit and Theresa May’s speech on it were hotly debated in the European Parliament this week. Sean Kelly says Michel Barnier is well aware of the difficult position Ireland is in because of Brexit. 

Out words: voices heard

Dur: 00:40

New EP president is vocal opponent of gay marriage – Boylan

The new president of the European Parliament is a socially conservative politician who could hamper MEPs from pushing through progressive legislation. That’s the stinging criticism from the Sinn Fein MEP Lynn Boylan. Last night the majority of MEPs voted for the Italian MEP Antonio Tajani to be the next president of the European Parliament. He’s a former EU Commissioner and an ally of the former Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi. Ms Boylan claims Mr Tajani’s influence in the Parliament could impact on the work she’s doing in the area of social affairs for the Parliament’s Employment Committee.

OUT – priorities are.

Dur: 00:32