EuroParlRadio

Fishing quota cuts will have ‘devastating impact’ – Ni Riada

The EU fishing quotas for 2016 are currently being decided at an EU fisheries council meeting today in Brussels. The quotas will set out how much EU fishermen may catch from the main commercial fish stocks next year. The Sinn Fein MEP Liadh Ni Riada says the proposed quota cuts are bad news for Irish fishermen. And she’s calling on Minister Simon Coveney to urge for a reduction in the cuts. 

Out words: super trawlers

Dur: 00:29 

Bandon badly served by officials and red tape on floods – Kelly

Flood hit towns like Bandon have been badly served by officials who failed to implement flood prevention measures in time. That’s the criticism from the Fine Gael MEP Sean Kelly. He says EU money was available to help places like Bandon to build flood defences. But the Ireland South MEP says preventative action wasn't implemented in time. 

Dur: 00:26

Officials ignoring local expertise on flood prevention - Kelly

The Fine Gael MEP Sean Kelly says a combination of red tape and inefficiencies at local level meant places like Bandon did not receive EU funds for building flood defences.  The Ireland South MEP says EU money was available for emergency flood initiatives but that the process to access the funds was too slow at an Irish level.  

Out words: on board

Dur: 00:38 

A Brexit would be ‘disaster for Ireland’ – Kelly

A British exit from the EU would lead to job losses and trade decline in Ireland. That’s according to the Fine Gael MEP Sean Kelly who was speaking in the European Parliament this week. The British Prime Minister David Cameron has outlined the reforms he wants the EU to introduce in order to entice the British people to stay within the Union. Mr Kelly says he thinks it’s possible for the EU to introduce those reforms.

Dur: 00:34 

Carers must not be penalised on pensions – Harkin

The Independent MEP Marian Harkin is calling for a system that ensures carers get a decent pension when they retire. The Midlands North-West MEP says the gender pension gap is a shocking forty percent in Ireland. And she says many women who provide care for others who need help, end up in poverty. Ms Harkin was speaking in the European Parliament where the issue of gender pension gaps was raised during the week. 

Dur: 00:33 

Gender pension pay gap ‘shocking’ – Harkin

The gap in pension pay between men and women is unacceptably high in Ireland. So says the Independent MEP Marian Harkin. She was speaking in the European Parliament where the issue of gender pension gaps was raised during the week.

Dur: 00:31 

Raw audio – Hayes on voting against Parliament tax report

EuroParlRadio's Karen Coleman talks to the Fine Gael MEP Brian Hayes on why he voted against the European Parliament's tax rulings report. 

Dur: 4:47 

Hayes warns European Parliament ‘to stop meddling’ in national tax affairs

The European Parliament today backed a report calling for mandatory country-by-country reporting by multinationals of profits and taxes. The majority of MEPs also called for a fairer system of corporate taxes across the EU along with  a common consolidated corporate tax base and more transparency in any national tax rulings for companies.  However, the Fine Gael MEP Brian Hayes voted against the report saying the European Parliament shouldn’t meddle in sovereign tax issues. 

Dur: 00:31 

European Parliament demands transparent corporate tax reporting

The European Parliament is calling for a fairer system of corporate taxes across the EU. In a vote today, the majority of MEPs urged EU countries to agree on mandatory country-by- country reporting by multinationals of profits and taxes. They’re also calling for a common consolidated corporate tax base and more transparency in any national tax rulings for companies. The MEPs in favour of these measures, believe that multinational companies should pay their taxes where they make their profits.  However, the Fine Gael MEP Brian Hayes voted against the moves saying it is the sovereign right of individual EU states to decide on their own tax affairs.

Dur: 00:30 

MEP calls for more training of Guards and judges on domestic violence – Clune

The Fine Gael MEP Deirdre Clune is calling for more training of guards and judges on how to deal with cases of domestic violence. Ms Clune’s call for increased training comes as the European Parliament today debated ongoing violence against women in Europe and other parts of the world.  Today is the international day for the elimination of violence against women and girls. Ms Clune says our Gardai and judges require up-skilling to deal with domestic violence. 

Dur: 00:26