EuroParlRadio

Tougher sanctions & military aid needed for Ukraine – Andrews

Dublin MEP Barry Andrews says Ireland should support an EU ban on imports of Russian oil and gas. Calls for tougher sanctions against Russia have increased following the news over the weekend of Russian atrocities against Ukrainian civilians in Bucha outside Kyiv.

The Fianna Fail MEP says the EU will be able to cope with the impact of an energy embargo despite the bloc’s reliance on Russia for supplies of gas, oil and coal.

Mr Andrews says the Ukrainians need military aid and tougher sanctions rather than goodwill and rhetoric.

Out words: Russian imports

Dur: 00:24

MEP calls for EU embargo on Russian energy supplies - Andrews

The EU should impose immediate sanctions on imports of Russian energy supplies because of the increasing atrocities being committed by Russian forces against Ukrainians.  

That’s the demand from Dublin MEP Barry Andrews. Calls for tougher sanctions against Russia have increased following the news over the weekend of Russian killings of Ukrainian civilians in Bucha outside Kyiv.

However, Germany has warned of the devastating impact an energy embargo could have on its own and other European economies. 

But Barry Andrews says the EU will be able to cope with the impact of the embargo despite the bloc’s reliance on Russia for vital energy supplies.

Out words: defend democracy

Dur: 00:20

Interview Billy Kelleher on why Irish companies should stop business in Russia

The decision by Kerry Group to suspend their operations in Russia and Belarus has been welcomed by Fianna Fail MEP Billy Kelleher.

The Ireland South MEP had urged the Group to pull out of Russia because of the war in Ukraine. He’s now calling on all Irish companies to stop doing business with Russia while the war continues.

Well EuroParlRadio’s Karen Coleman caught up with Billy Kelleher in the European Parliament in Strasbourg. She first asked him for his reaction to the news that the Kerry Group is suspending its operations in Russia and Belarus.

Out words: the Ukraine

Dur: 3:26

All Irish companies should withdraw from Russia during war –Kelleher

Fianna Fail MEP Billy Kelleher is calling for all Irish companies doing business in Russia to stop their operations there.

The Ireland South MEP had called for the Kerry Group to pull out of Russia because of the war in Ukraine. They’ve now suspended their operations in both Russia and Belarus.

Speaking in the European Parliament in Strasbourg today, Mr Kelleher said we can’t ignore what is happening in Ukraine right now.

Out words: all withdraw

Dur: 00:15

Kerry Group Russia suspension decision “welcome” – Kelleher

The decision by Kerry Group to suspend its operations in Russia and Belarus has been welcomed by Fianna Fail MEP Billy Kelleher.

The Ireland South MEP had called for the Group to stops its operations in Russia because of the war in Ukraine.

Speaking in the European Parliament in Strasbourg today, he said the atrocities being carried out against Ukraine cannot be tolerated.

Out words: staying there

Dur:00:30

Ireland’s strength lies in its neutrality – Cuffe

Ireland’s strength lies in its neutrality and its non-aligned status has served the country well. So says Green MEP Ciarán Cuffe.

Bolstering the EU’s defence capabilities is one of the topics on today’s agenda of EU leaders who’ve been holding an informal EU summit in Versailles in France.

The war on Ukraine has led to increasing calls from some EU quarters for the bloc to substantially increase defence spending and to build a real security and defence union.

But how will those calls work for a neutral non-aligned EU member like Ireland?  Here’s Ciarán Cuffe.

Out words: looking ahead

Dur: 01:46

Ireland’s neutrality has “served us well” - Cuffe

Bolstering the EU’s defence capabilities is one of the topics on today’s agenda of EU leaders who’ve been holding an informal summit in Versailles in France.

The war on Ukraine has led to increasing calls from some EU quarters for the EU to substantially increase defence spending and to build a real security and defence union.

But how will those calls work for a neutral non-aligned EU member like Ireland?  Green Party MEP Ciarán Cuffe says Ireland’s strength lies in its diplomatic skills and not in its military might.

Out words: our strength

Dur: 00:22

MEPs endorse O’Sullivan’s eco ’pathway’

The European Parliament has given its backing to the roadmap to a green future drafted by Irish MEP, Grace O’Sullivan. The ‘Environment Action Programme to 2030’ is meant to be the framework within which EU member states, including Ireland, should work in the next years to achieve climate goals. It includes a legal obligation to monitor the phasing out of fossil fuels and to meet eco targets in line with limiting global warming to 1.5 degrees. Green MEP, Grace O’Sullivan was responsible for guiding the programme through the European Parliament. She says it sets out the pathway for action.

Out words: Sets out the pathway

Dur: 0’17”

Kelly slams Irish left MEPs for votes on Russia & China

Fine Gael MEP Sean Kelly is alleging that Ireland’s four left-wing MEPs nearly always vote  against anything criticising Russia or China.  

Mr Kelly is referring to the Independents 4 Change MEPs Clare Daly and Mick Wallace along with Sinn Fein’s Chris MacManus, and the Independent MEP Luke Ming Flanagan.  

Both Clare Daly and Mick Wallace have been heavily criticised for voting last week against an overall motion on the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

Out words: they are

Dur: 00:55

Daly-Wallace actions “very extreme” – Kelly

The Fine Gael MEP Sean Kelly is accusing Clare Daly and Mick Wallace of engaging in what he’s calling “very extreme” actions on a political level.  

Both Independents 4 Change MEPs have been heavily criticised for voting last week against an overall motion on the Russian invasion of Ukraine. They have defended their position saying their vote was against flooding Ukraine with weapons. And that they “unequivocally condemn Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine”. 

Only thirteen MEPs voted against the resolution including a far-right Greek MEP who’s serving a jail sentence for criminal offences.

Here’s Sean Kelly.  

Out words: free etc.

Dur: 00:19