EuroParlRadio

Airline passenger data not needed for terrorism fight – Boylan

The three Sinn Fein MEPs from the Republic of Ireland are to vote against a proposed EU law that will require airlines to hand over data on passengers flying in and out of the EU. The information will include passengers’ names, passport and contact details along with travel and credit card information. Those in favour of the Passenger Name Record Directive or PNR say it will help in the fight against terrorism. But the Dublin MEP Lynn Boylan argues there’s no proof to show the collection of PNR data will help the authorities to track terrorists.

Dur: 00:37 

Sinn Fein MEPs to vote against collecting airline passenger data - Boylan

The European Parliament will today vote on a proposed EU law that will require airlines to hand over data on passengers flying in and out of the EU. The information will include passengers’ names, passport and contact details along with travel and credit card information. Those in favour of the Passenger Name Record Directive or PNR say it will help in the fight against terrorism. However, all of the Irish Sinn Fein MEPs are to vote against it. Sinn Fein’s Dublin MEP Lynn Boylan says there’s no justification for passing the PNR law.

Dur: 00:33 

Airline passenger data needed to fight terrorism – Clune

MEPs will today vote on a proposed EU law that will require airlines to hand over data on passengers flying in and out of the EU. The information will include passengers’ names, passport and contact details along with travel and credit card information. Those in favour of the Passenger Name Record Directive or PNR say it will help in the fight against terrorism. However, MEPs against it are concerned that it will breach people’s privacy and lead to unnecessary data retention. The Fine Gael MEP Deirdre Clune, who is on the European Parliament’s Transport Committee, says the PNR law is needed to track potential terrorists.

Dur:  00:30 

MEPs to vote on collection of airline passenger data PNR - Clune

The European Parliament will vote today on a controversial EU law that will enable the authorities to gather more information about passengers flying in and out of the EU. If passed the PNR or Passenger Name Record Directive, will oblige airlines to hand over data on their passengers to the relevant EU authorities. Those supporting the directive say it will help fight terrorism and serious crime. However, those against argue it will breach people’s privacy and lead to unnecessary data retention. The Fine Gael MEP Deirdre Clune, who is on the European Parliament’s Transport Committee, says it’s essential the PNR Directive comes into force.

Dur: 00:24 

Interview with Sinn Fein MEP Lynn Boylan on Weedkiller vote

EuroParlRadio's Editor Karen Coleman, talks to the Sinn Fein MEP for Dublin Lynn Boylan on today's vote in the European Parliament on the controversial weedkiller glyphosate. 

Dur: 4:03 

MEP ‘very disappointed’ with controversial Weedkiller vote – Boylan

The European Parliament today voted for the ongoing use of the popular weedkiller known as glyphosate. However, the MEPs pushed for a restriction of its licence renewal from an initial proposed 15-year period to 7 years. In a non-binding resolution, MEPs also called for a ban on all uses of glyphosate-based herbicides in private and public green areas, including spraying in and around public parks, playgrounds and gardens. The weedkiller is widely used by the likes of farmers and gardeners. However the Sinn Fein MEP Lynn Boylan says she’s very disappointed with today’s vote. 

Dur: 00:40

 

Weedkiller vote not strong enough – Harkin

The European Parliament has backed restrictions on the use of glyphosate – the world’s most used weedkiller and a shortening of its licence, amid rising health concerns. The World Health Organisation’s [WHO] International Agency for Research on Cancer has said that glyphosate is a probable carcinogen. However, the European Food Safety Authority said in November 2015 that there was no evidence of a cancer link. The Independent MEP Marian Harkin says today’s vote to restrict the use of glyphosate didn't go far enough.

Dur: 00:38 

MEPs back glyphosate restrictions – Harkin

The European Parliament has backed restrictions on the use of glyphosate – the world’s most used weedkiller and a shortening of its licence, amid rising health concerns. In a non-binding resolution, MEPs today called for a ban on all uses of glyphosate-based herbicides in private and public green areas, including spraying in and around public parks, playgrounds and gardens. MEPs also called for restrictions on its use in agricultural fields shortly before harvesting, and said a new glyphosate licence should be limited to seven instead of 15 years. The Independent MEP Marian Harkin says she has serious concerns about glyphosate.

Dur: 00:24 

Further background

In March 2015, the World Health Organisation [WHO]’s International Agency for Research on Cancer classified glyphosate as a probable carcinogen. However, the European Food Safety Authority EFSA said in November 2015 that there was no evidence of a cancer link.  

European Parliament approves extra funds for refugees & terrorism fight – Donald Tusk

The European Parliament has given the green light for €100 million in EU emergency aid for refugees within the EU. In a vote today MEPs also approved funds to hire new staff for the EU law enforcement agency EUROPOL’s European Counter Terrorism Centre (ECTC).  Before the vote, the President of the European Council Donald Tusk told MEPs that tougher measures to tackle the migrant crisis were essential to prevent catastrophic political events unfolding in Europe.  

Dur: 00:34 

Tusk warns Europe faces a ‘never ending story’ on migrant crisis

Expecting a 100% effective solution to the migrant crisis is ‘a dangerous illusion’. That was the warning from the President of the European Council Donald Tusk when he addressed the European Parliament this morning. Mr Tusk told MEPs the recent EU-Turkey deal on migrants was anything but perfect.

Dur: 00:38