EuroParlRadio

Ireland seen as "first mover” in tax reform by other MEPs - Hayes

Recent announcements of changes  to the Irish corporate tax system by finance minister Micheal Noonan has led to Ireland being seen as a “first mover” in tax reform by other MEPs. That's according to the Fine Gael MEP for Dublin, Brian Hayes. He was speaking in the European Parliament prior to a debate on allegations that Luxembourg facilitated tax avoidance schemes for big multinational companies.  However Mr Hayes says that rather than probing the tax affairs of smaller EU members, larger countries such as Germany and the UK should question their own tax schemes. 

Out words: on them

Dur: 37 seconds

EU involvement benefits Northern Peace process - Kelly

The current problems besetting the Northern Ireland Peace process were discussed this week in the European Parliament in Brussels. EU Parliament President Martin Schulz had recently spoken of the EU acting as an “honest broker” in resolving on-going difficulties in the north. The Fine Gael MEP for Ireland South, Sean Kelly says he has seen for himself how EU funding has benefitted the peace process.

Out words: for prosperity

Dur: 26 seconds

Hayes says Luxembourg tax avoidance is not an issue for European Parliament.

Fine Gael MEP for Dublin Brian Hayes says the issue of tax avoidance in Luxembourg is a matter for that country and not for the European Parliament. He was speaking as EU Commission President Jean Claude Juncker was due to appear today [Wednesday 12th] in front of MEPs at the Parliament in Brussels. It is alleged Luxembourg facilitated secret deals for Multi National Companies to avoid paying taxes, whilst Mr Juncker was its Prime minister.  MEPs were successful in getting the issue added to the Parliament plenary’s agenda but Mr Hayes says that they are playing party politics

Out words: make conclusions

Dur: 35 seconds

Interview with Fine Gael MEP Mairead McGuinness on Irish farmers' meat protests

Journalist Owen Stafford talks to Fine Gael MEP Mairead McGuinness about the ongoing dispute between Irish farmers and meat factories over prices of meat produce. Interview conducted at European Parliament, Brussels. 

Out words: do something 

Dur: 2:45 

Interview with Sinn Fein MEP Lynn Boylan on GMOs in EU

The Sinn Fein MEP Lynn Boylan talks to journalist Owen Stafford about the recent vote by the European Parliament's Environment Committee to allow EU member states more flexibility in deciding whether or not to restrict or ban cultivation of GMO products. 

Out words: for rejection 

Dur: 3:32

People pressure needed for GMO ban - Boylan European Parliament

A Sinn Fein MEP is calling on people to put pressure on EU ministers to ban crops containing GMOs. Lynn Boylan who is the Sinn Fein MEP for the Dublin constituency was speaking today at the European Parliament in Brussels. Her comments followed yesterday's vote by the European Parliament’s Environment Committee to strengthen EU Countries' flexibility to ban crops containing Genetically Modified Organisms or GMOs. Currently EU members can only prohibit GMO crops where serious risks to human and animal health or the environment are identified after the GMO has been authorized at an EU level. Ms Boylan says the committee’s vote is a “first step” to victory against GMOs.

Out words: organic farmers

Dur: 32 seconds

Interview with Fine Gael MEP Mairead McGuinness on GMOs

Owen Stafford interviews Mairead McGuinness on GMOs and the vote by the European Parliament's Environment Committee to give greater flexibility to EU member states to restrict or ban GMO production. 

Out words: not on those

Dur: 3.10

Appointment of a Meat Regulator could lead to more bureaucracy- McGuinness

The Fine Gael MEP Mairead McGuinness has expressed concerns over calls for a regulator for Ireland’s meat industry. The suggestion was made by the Irish Cattle and Sheep Farmers Association. It comes in the midst of the dispute between farmers and the meat industry with the farmers unhappy with the prices they're getting for their animals from meat factories. However Ms McGuinness says the creation of a meat regulator could lead to an 'overly bureaucratic' agricultural industry.  

Out words: Overly bureaucratic

Dur: 36 seconds

EU Food safety rules not up for negotiation with US - McGuinness

The EU will not compromise on its food safety standards in negotiations on the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership agreement with the US. During the on-going discussions on the agreement, also known as the TTIP, food safety has become a sensitive issue. The US is looking for more harmonisation of rules with the EU, on issues such as crops containing Genetically Modified Organisms or GMOs. However Mairead McGuinness, Fine Gael MEP for the Midlands North West constituency says there will be no concessions on EU food safety laws.

Out words: not on those

Dur: 28 seconds

Boylan calls for a strong legal basis to ban GMOs - European Parliament

MEPs in the European Parliament are looking to create a legal basis for EU countries to ban or restrict production of crops containing Genetically Modified Organisms or GMOs.The Environment Committee of the European Parliament yesterday voted to extend flexibility for EU countries, such as Ireland, to ban GMO crops. The vote came amid concerns that an agreement between the EU and US on the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership, or TTIP could have implications for EU rules on GMOs.  Lynn Boylan, Sinn Fein MEP for Dublin says creating a “ strong legal footing” for EU members to prohibit GMO production is very important.

Out words: Basis for rejection

Dur: 32 seconds