EuroParlRadio

Carthy calls for scrapping of TTIP talks

The Sinn Fein MEP Matt Carthy is calling for the scrapping of the EU-US trade talks known as TTIP. The Midlands North-West MEP says the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership deal would be very bad for Irish farmers and particularly those working in the beef sector. Mr Carthy pointed to recent warnings by the IFA that an EU trade deal with the Mercosur group of South American countries would damage the Irish agricultural sector. He says the IFA should take a similar stance towards the TTIP talks. 

Out words: Irish people

Dur: 00:33 

Ibrahim Halawa’s sisters to attend European Parliament vote on him

Two sisters of the jailed Irish citizen Ibrahim Halawa will attend the vote on his case in the European Parliament tomorrow. The twenty-year old has been held without trial in Egypt since August 2013. The Egyptian authorities are claiming Ibrahim was involved in violent protests in Cairo in August 2013. However, Amnesty International says the claims are not credible. The Sinn Fein MEP Lynn Boylan, who’s been instrumental in organising the European Parliament vote, says the resolution includes a call for his immediate release.  

Out words: the resolution

Dur: 00:33

 

European Parliament to vote on Ibrahim Halawa case – Boylan

The European Parliament will tomorrow vote on a resolution calling for the immediate release in Egypt of the jailed Irish citizen Ibrahim Halawa. The twenty-year old has been held without trial in Egypt since August 2013. The Egyptian authorities are claiming Ibrahim was involved in violent protests in Cairo in August 2013. However, Amnesty International says the claims are not credible. The Sinn Fein MEP Lynn Boylan who’s been very involved in organising the resolution, says Ibrahim’s mental health is not good. 

Out words: this point

Dur: 00:30 

Don’t blame EU laws for flood damage – Harkin

The Independent MEP Marian Harkin has responded to criticisms that EU policies are to blame for some flood damage. Critics have said that the EU Habitats Directive prevented some dredging and draining of rivers in Ireland. However, Ms Harkin says the European Commission does not want its legislation to get in the way of flood prevention measures. 

Out words: are needed

Dur: 00:37 

EU Regional funds could help build flood defences – Harkin

EU regional funds could be used to help build flood defences. That’s according to the Independent MEP Marian Harkin. She says she got reassurances from the previous EU Commissioner for Regional policy that Ireland could use EU regional funds to build flood barriers. Ms Harkin is calling on the Government to establish an overall body responsible for flood prevention to ensure places like the Shannon region don’t suffer from the kind of flood damage they have endured recently. 

Out words: the Shannon

Dur: 00:29 

Harkin slams Department and Minister for failing Bose workers

Former workers of Bose could have benefited from EU assistance if the Department of Skills, Research and Innovation had applied for EU help. That’s according to the Independent MEP Marian Harkin. The Midlands North-West MEP says the Bose workers, who were made redundant last May following the outsourcing of their work to other countries, would have been entitled to EU help from the EU’s Globalisation Adjustment Fund. But Ms Harkin says the Department and its Minister Damien English wrongly decided not to apply for funds from the EGAF scheme.

Out words: anybody else

Dur:  00:31

 

Government failed to get EU funds for Bose Carrickmacross workers – Harkin

The Independent MEP Marian Harkin says the government failed to secure vital EU assistance for former Bose workers in Carrickmacross. Over a hundred people lost their jobs last May following Bose’s January announcement that it was closing the Monaghan plant and moving production to Malaysia and Mexico. Marian Harkin says the Bose workers should have benefited from assistance through the EU’s globalisation adjustment fund. But, she says the Department of Skills, Research and Innovation wrongly decided not to apply for EGF assistance for the Bose workers.

Out words: that application 

Dur:  00:25 

Key election message ‘keep the recovery going’ - Hayes

Jobs and economic recovery will be the top election issues for Fine Gael and Labour. That’s according to Fine Gael’s new director of elections Brian Hayes. The Dublin MEP says the trend shows the coalition is on the right path to a re-election next year.

Out words: public services

Dur: 00:35 

Trend in ‘the right direction’ for re-election – Hayes

Fine Gael’s director of elections Brian Hayes says the outlook is positive for the Coalition’s re-election to power. Mr Hayes, who is an MEP for Dublin, says both Fine Gael and Labour are set to benefit from the improving economic situation.  

Out words: that percentage

Dur: 00:39 

Fishermen could ‘go under’ if quota cuts implemented – Ni Riada

EU fisheries ministers are currently meeting in Brussels to decide on next year’s fishing quotas. According to the Sinn Fein MEP Liadh Ni Riada the proposed quotas will mean substantial cuts to fishing of cod, haddock and monkfish. The Ireland South MEP has called on Minister Simon Coveney to get a better deal. She says the proposed cuts will have a devastating impact on Irish fishermen if they go ahead.

Out words: better deal

Dur: 00: 27