EuroParlRadio

EU could scupper low water charges - Harkin

The EU Commission could force the government to impose far higher water charges on Irish householders because of rules brought in by the EU Water Framework Directive. That’s the warning from the Independent MEP Marian Harkin. She says that when Ireland was negotiating the EU water framework directive it negotiated certain flexibilities that would enable EU member states not to charge households for water if they didn’t want to do so. However, Marian Harkin says that Ireland never availed of that facility. As a result, she says the EU Commission could force the government to get householders to pay for a range of services connected with the supply of water to their homes that would dramatically increase the water charges.

Out words: this flexibility

Dur: 00:35 

MEP warns EU could make Irish householders pay much higher water charges

Irish householders could face much higher water charges under the rules of an EU water directive. That’s according to the Independent MEP Marian Harkin. She says that when Ireland was negotiating the EU water framework directive it negotiated certain facilities that would enable EU member states not to charge households for water if they didn’t want to do so. However, Marian Harkin says that Ireland never availed of that facility. As a result, she says the EU Commission could force the government to get householders to pay for a range of services connected with the supply of water to their homes that would dramatically increase the water charges.

Dur: 00:25

Out words: legislation says 

Interview with Deirdre Clune on ECB decision not to attend Irish Banking Inquiry

EuroParlRadio's Karen Coleman talks to FG MEP Deirdre Clune about the ECB/Mario Draghi decision not to participate in the Irish Banking Inquiry. 

Out words: on this

Dur: 3:00

ECB should explain themselves to Banking Inquiry – Clune

The European Central Bank has a democratic duty to appear before the Banking Inquiry. That’s the view of the Fine Gael MEP Deirdre Clune who was speaking at the European Parliament in Strasbourg. Ms Clune is encouraging her fellow MEPs to press the ECB to participate in the Oireachtas inquiry and to explain their role in decisions taken that impacted on the Irish economy. 

Out words: of democracy

Dur: 00:18

MEP slams ECB decision to ignore banking inquiry

The decision by the European Central Bank not to participate in the Irish banking inquiry has been heavily criticised by some Irish MEPs. The Fine Gael MEP Deirdre Clune says that the decision by the ECB President Mario Draghi to decline the invitation to go before the Oireachtas Inquiry runs against the interests of democracy.

Dur: 00:35

Out words: in that 

Interview with Brian Hayes FG MEP on critics of EU

EuroParlRadio's Karen Coleman talks to Fine Gael MEP Brian Hayes on why he thinks it's time to ‘fight back’ against those who blame Europe/EU for Ireland’s economic woes.  

Out words: not anger

Dur: 4:01

 

Don’t blame Europe for economic woes warns Hayes

The Fine Gael MEP Brian Hayes has lashed out at critics who say Europe is to blame for Ireland’s economic problems. Mr Hayes says that many of Ireland's economic woes have been of the country's own making. He's warning it’s time to fight back against those who say that Europe is to blame for the austerity measures endured by Irish people over the last several years.

Out words: condition

Dur: 00:34

Time to fight back against populist scaremongering – Hayes

The Fine Gael MEP Brian Hayes says it’s time for the democratic centre to fight back against populist views that Europe is responsible for Ireland’s economic woes. Mr Hayes says that Ireland’s problems are home-grown and that we  would be in a catastrophic situation if it wasn’t for European solidarity. 

Out words: what happened

Dur: 00:40 

Interview with Emily O'Reilly on being re-elected European Ombudsman

Interview with Emily O’Reilly on being re-elected as European Ombudsman today in the European Parliament. Interview by Karen Coleman, Editor EuroParlRadio. 

Out words: influential player

Dur: 5:44 

O’Reilly vows to make role of EU Ombudsman ‘more useful’

The European Ombudsman, Emily O’Reilly has vowed to increase the role of her office and its influence at an EU level. Ms O’Reilly was today re-elected as the EU Ombudsman following a vote in the European Parliament. She was first elected last year and had to seek the endorsement of the MEPs again as a new Parliament is in place for another 5-year term. The former Irish Ombudsman and journalist is vowing to make the role of her office more significant. She was speaking to Karen Coleman, Editor EuroParlRadio. 

Out words: influential player

Dur: 00:37