EuroParlRadio

McGuinness warns banks not to push farmers ‘to the brink’

The Fine Gael MEP Mairead McGuinness is urging banks to ease the pressure they’re putting on farmers over their financial affairs. The Midlands North-West MEP says farmers are under enough pressure at the moment with the various challenges in the agricultural industry. Last month the European Parliament’s Agriculture Committee held a minute’s silence to mark the deaths by suicide of hundreds of farmers across the EU. Here’s Mairead McGuinness.

Dur: 00:40 

MEP urges British-Irish to register to vote on Brexit – Clune

The Fine Gael MEP Deirdre Clune is urging Irish people in Britain and British people in Ireland to register to vote for the June Brexit referendum. The Ireland South MEP says it’s essential they ensure they’re registered to vote if they want the UK to remain in the European Union. 

Dur:  00:36 

Mercosur deal could decimate European beef market – McGuinness

An EU trade deal with the Mercosur bloc of South American countries could decimate the European beef sector. So says the Fine Gael MEP Mairead McGuinness. She’s concerned the EU is willing to sacrifice certain sectors of the agriculture industry in Europe to secure a comprehensive trade deal with the Mercosur countries.

Dur: 00:31 

EU Commission ‘over-stepped the mark’ on Mercosur deal – McGuinness

The Fine Gael MEP Mairead McGuinness is warning the EU Commission is jeopardising the Irish beef sector by giving too much to away in its trade talks with the Mercosur countries. The EU is currently negotiating a comprehensive trade agreement with the South American bloc known as Mercosur. MEPs are concerned the EU is willing to sacrifice certain parts of the agricultural sector in its desire to strike a full EU-Mercosur deal. Here’s Mairead McGuinness. 

Dur:  00:33 

Interview with Marian Harkin on 'flawed' Aran Islands air services tender

EuroParlRadio's Editor Karen Coleman, talks to the Independent MEP for the Midlands North-West Constituency about why she believes the current tender to provide air services to the Aran Islands is flawed. 

Dur: 4:00

Harkin to take ‘flawed’ Aran Islands services tender to EU

The current tender to provide air transfer services to the Aran Islands is flawed and needs to be re-drawn and re-tendered. That’s according to the Independent MEP Marian Harkin. The Government recently re-advertised the tender to provide subsidised air services to the Aran Islands. A previous tender was cancelled last September after complaints about certain aspects of it. But now Marian Harkin says there are several issues of concern with the new tender and that she’s going to take it up with the European Commission.

Dur: 00:31 

Harkin calls for re-drawing of Aran Islands air services tender

The Independent MEP Marian Harkin is calling for a re-drawing of the Aran Islands Air services tender. The Government recently re-advertised the tender to provide subsidised air servicesto the Aran Islands. A previous tender was cancelled last September after complaints about certain aspects of it. But now Marian Harkin, who represents the Midlands North-West constituency, says there are also some serious problems with the new tender. 

Dur: 00:40 

European Parliament approves PNR rules – Kelly

The European Parliament today voted in favour of controversial EU rules that will enable the authorities to gather more information about passengers flying in and out of the EU. The PNR or Passenger Name Record Directive, will oblige airlines to hand over data on their passengers to the relevant EU authorities when requested. Those who have supported the directive say it will help fight terrorism and serious crime. However, those against it argued it will breach people’s privacy and lead to unnecessary data retention. The Fine Gael MEP Sean Kelly was one of the MEPs who voted for it.

Dur: 00:40

Carthy calls for stalling of EU-Mercosur trade talks

The Sinn Fein MEP Matt Carthy is calling for a stalling of trade talks between the EU and South American countries. Mr Carthy says the EU Commission is giving too many concessions to the Mercosur countries on the beef trade. A number of MEPs are concerned that the EU Trade Commissioner, Cecilia Malmstrom, is offering tariff rate quotas for beef to the Mercosur countries. Matt Carthy argues such a concession could force some Irish farmers out of business.

Dur: 00:37 

Mercosur trade deal will force Irish farmers ‘out of business’ – Carthy

The trade deal between the EU and South American countries, known as the Mercosur deal, will put some Irish farmers ‘out of business’. That’s according to the Sinn Fein MEP Matt Carthy. Speaking from the European Parliament, Mr Carthy said the EU Commission is in danger of making unnecessary concessions on the beef trade to the Mercosur countries. 

Dur:  00:34