EuroParlRadio

“Thousands” of new jobs for Knock Airport

Thousands of new jobs could be created in Knock with EU support, that’s according to Midlands North-West MEP, Chris MacManus. Ireland West Airport passenger numbers slumped during Covid and following Brexit. Now the airport wants to progress plans for a new business campus. Chris MacManus has asked the EU to exempt Knock from state aid rules. He says that would allow the government to fully fund the project.

Out words: State aid exemption

Dur: 0’22”

MEPs approve reformed Common Agricultural policy – Kelleher

MEPs in the European Parliament have given the green light to the new EU Common Agricultural policy. This reformed version aims to be greener, fairer, more flexible and transparent. It will run from 2023 until 2027.

Environmentalists have criticised the new CAP saying  it’s unambitious and that it won’t incentivise greener farming methods. However farmers in Ireland are concerned the new CAP rules will penalise them unfairly

Fianna Fail MEP Billy Kelleher says supports and policies will have to be put in place to support the agriculture sector in Ireland.

Out words: seven years

Dur: 00:34

 

Germany quarantines Irish non-vaccinated

Ireland has been added to Germany’s ‘high risk’ list in light of rising covid cases. Those who are not unvaccinated must now quarantine on arrival in Germany. Many European countries have started to reimpose restrictions in light of the latest wave. The travel and tourism industry has urged the EU to better coordinate and resist knee-jerk reactions. But Dublin MEP, Barry Andrews, says the situation is serious and we need to do what it takes to get numbers under control.

Out words: Was vulnerable

Dur: 0’24”

Europe needs plan to cut covid - Andrews

The public is confused by “mixed messages” surrounding rising covid cases – that’s the warning from Barry Andrews. The number of coronavirus infections is rising steeply in many European countries including Ireland. The NPHET is expected to meet on Thursday to discuss the outlook. Meanwhile Fianna Fáil MEP, Barry Andrews, says the EU needs to work out together how to handle the winter months to cut cases and protect the health service.

Out words: Our health services

Dur: 0’23”

EU cuts to fertilisers & pesticides achievable with innovations – Kelly

EU proposals to cut the use of fertilisers and pesticides by 2030 can be achieved with new technologies and innovations.

So says Fine Gael MEP Sean Kelly.

The European Parliament last week welcomed the European Commission’s Farm to Fork strategy which aims to reduce the environmental and climate footprint of the EU food system over the coming years.

The commission is proposing that the use of pesticides should be cut by fifty percent (50%) and fertilisers by at least twenty percent (20%) by 2030.

Sean Kelly says farmers will be able to achieve these goals through innovative solutions.

Out words: be allayed

Dur: 00: 38

Herd cuts not solution to methane reductions – Markey

Cutting the number of animals on a farm is not the solution to achieving reductions in methane gas emissions.

That’s the view of Fine Gael MEP Colm Markey. His comments follow a vote in the European Parliament last week where MEPs called for binding cuts to methane emissions in the EU by 2030.  

Livestock like cows are big methane emitters. And MEPs want new measures in member states to minimise animal emissions, while ensuring food production is not just moved outside the EU.

But Colm Markey is warning simple cuts to herds isn’t the right approach to take.

Out words: friendly standard

Dur: 00: 31

Phase out fossil fuel subsidies and combustion engines for climate – O’Sullivan

Binding commitments are needed to ensure subsidies of environmentally harmful substances such as fossil fuels are eliminated within this decade.  

So says Green MEP Grace O’Sullivan. Her comments follow European Parliament calls for accelerated climate action worldwide.  

In a resolution, MEPs expressed concern that the national targets announced in Paris in 2015 would result in warming well above three degrees by 2100, compared to pre-industrial levels. 

Their concerns come ahead of the UN COP26 Climate Change Conference in Glasgow which begins next Sunday (31^stOctober- 12^th November).

Here’s Grace O’Sullivan.

Out words: thirty five

Dur: 00:28

E-bikes, scooters, garden tractors etc. excluded from new insurance rules – Clune

People who ride the likes of electric bikes and scooters are being excluded from new EU motor insurance rules. The European parliament has just approved new rules to better protect drivers across the EU.

The updated Motor Insurance Directive will improve the protection of drivers who have accidents in another EU country. And it should ensure that people who are in a road accident are compensated even if the insurance company goes bankrupt.

However, the amended rules exclude vehicles such as e-bikes, garden tractors and mobility scooters from insurance obligations. And vehicles intended exclusively for motorsports are also excluded from the directive.

Fine Gael MEP Deirdre Clune, who is on the European Parliament’s Transport Committee, explains.

Out words: users off

Dur: 00:16

New rules to better protect EU Drivers

The European parliament has just approved new rules to better protect drivers across the EU.

The updated Motor Insurance Directive will improve the protection of drivers who have accidents in another EU country. And it should ensure that people who are in a crash are compensated even if the insurance company goes bankrupt.

An EU-harmonised “Claims History Statement” will also prevent discrimination when a policyholder moves from one EU member state to another.

Fine Gael MEP Deirdre Clune, who is on the European Parliament’s Transport Committee, explains.

Out words: the company

Dur: 00:26

MEPs approve better protection of road accident victims in EU – MacManus

People who have road accidents in another EU country should enjoy better protection following the endorsement of new motor insurance rules.

The European Parliament has just approved an updated Motor insurance directive which will give drivers better insurance protection and fairer competitive practices across the EU.

The legislation should protect victims of accidents irrespective of whether they occur in their country of residence or elsewhere in the EU.

And EU Citizens will also be able to compare prices, tariffs and coverage offered by different providers more easily.

Sinn Fein MEP Chris MacManus explains.

Out words: and dry

Dur: 00:33