EuroParlRadio

MEP seeks legal opinion on high concentration of media ownership in Ireland - Boylan

The Sinn Fein MEP Lynn Boylan has commissioned a legal opinion on the high concentration of media ownership in Ireland. The Dublin MEP says politicians in Ireland are failing to tackle the lack of diversity in media ownership here. Earlier this year an EU funded report, published by the Florence-based Centre for Media Pluralism and Media Freedom, claimed Ireland was at a ‘high risk’ when it comes to concentration of media ownership. Here’s Lynn Boylan.

Out words: retrospectively

Dur: 0.24

Flat EU rate for mobile phone calls next step – Kelly

The Fine Gael MEP Sean Kelly says the next step to a fully connected EU telecoms market is to ensure that mobile phone users should be able to call anywhere in the EU for the same price. Mr Kelly was speaking in the European Parliament where MEPs this week discussed the abolition of roaming charges within the EU. That’s due to take effect next June. MEPs now want to tackle the charges applied to calls between EU countries as Sean Kelly now explains.  

Out words: reached that target

Dur: 0.22

Free EU roaming still on course for next year - Kelly

The full abolition of roaming charges is still on course to take effect next year, despite opposition from mobile phone companies. So says the Fine Gael MEP, Sean Kelly, who was speaking in the European Parliament where MEPs this week demanded that the EU keep its promise to end roaming by June 2017. In September the European Commission announced a draft proposal to cap free roaming for mobile phone users when abroad to 90 days per year. However the EU Commission President Jean Claude Juncker ordered the plans to be withdrawn following complaints from MEPs. Here’s Sean Kelly.

Out words: to happen

Dur: 0.38

Hauliers caught with stowaways unfairly punished - Clune

The Fine Gael MEP Deirdre Clune has denounced heavy fines imposed on hauliers who are caught inadvertently smuggling migrants into the UK. She was speaking in the European Parliament where MEPs this week criticised the conditions in the so-called “jungle”migrant camp near the French port of Calais. Many migrants in the area attempt to board trucks bound for the UK. Ms Clune, who sits on the Parliament’s transport committee, says in many cases drivers should not be blamed if migrants are found in their vehicles. She believes that UK anti-smuggling laws that punish innocent drivers and their companies should be overhauled.

Out words: frustrating

Dur: 0.39

 

Clune calls for protection of Irish hauliers battling Calais

The Fine Gael MEP Deirdre Clune is calling for the UK and French governments to protect Irish hauliers who travel to mainland Europe through Calais. She was speaking from the European Parliament where MEPs this week discussed the impact that nearby migrant camps are having on the safety and security of hauliers passing through the French port. Over 7,000 migrants are in these camps attempting to reach the UK. Many have tried to smuggle themselves in trucks as stowaways. Ms Clune says that the on-going situationin Calais is harming the Irish haulage industry.  

Out words: protected

Dur: 0.22

Irish fishermen fear Brexit impact on their livelihoods – Ni Riada

The Sinn Fein MEP Liadh NiRiada says the EU has to look at other models to help fishermen deal with the impact of Brexit on their industries. The Ireland South MEP is warning Brexit will dramatically change the Common Fisheries Policy.  And she says there will be a huge knock-on impact on Irish fleets fishing in British waters. Ms Ni Riada is going to hold a series of coastal community meetings to discuss how Brexit will affect Irish fishing industries. 

Out words: model there

Dur: 00:39

 

British hard stance on Brexit will provoke ‘fightback’ – Hayes

A hard stance on Brexit by the UK government will only antagonise the other twenty seven EU countries. That’s the warning from the Fine Gael MEP Brian Hayes who says the current Brexit rhetoric from the British government won’t help the UK to secure an exit deal that will work for Britain and the rest of the EU.

Out words: North South

Dur: 00:35 

European Parliament to debate tillage farming crisis – McGuinness

The European Parliament is to discuss the problems facing tillage farmers next week. The Parliament’s Agriculture Committee has agreed to a request to hold a debate on the EU tillage sector which was proposed by the Fine Gael MEP Mairead McGuinness. She says the combination of heavy rainfall, low prices and poor yields is putting tillage farmers under enormous pressure. The Midlands North-West MEP raised the issue of tillage farmers during her meeting this week with Phil Hogan, the EU Commissioner for Agriculture.

Out words: are enormous

Dur: 00:38 

McGuinness urges farmers to talk about stresses & strains

The Fine Gael MEP Mairead McGuinness is urging farmers to talk to other people if they are feeling stressed and trying to cope with huge challenges. The Midlands North-West MEP says the ‘perfect storm’ combination of heavy rainfall, low prices and poor yields is putting farmers under enormous pressure.

Out words: problem halved

Dur: 00:29 

UN COP22 will follow Paris Climate deal - Sean Kelly MEP

The Paris Climate Change Agreement, that was ratified by the European Parliament this week, will be followed up in November by a major UN climate conference which will take place in Marrakesh, Morroco. The Fine Gael MEP Sean Kelly, who will attend November’s conference, says this week’s endorsement of the Paris deal by the Parliament is another step forward in the battle to tackle climate change. 

Out words: talk but action

Dur: 0.20