EuroParlRadio

Trafficking in every town and village in Ireland - Fitzgerald

Dirty money is a problem throughout Ireland and Europe – that’s according to Frances Fitzgerald. The European Parliament will be debating money laundering in Strasbourg later this afternoon. According to Frances Fitzgerald, the number of cases in Ireland doubled last year. She says it often involves trafficking women and drugs and, increasingly, manipulating technology. The Fine Gael MEP, and former justice minister, says Europe needs to get smarter at taking on the criminals.

Out words: More sophisticated

Dur: 0’24”

Kelleher confident for Irish and European economy

Europe will be able to weather the economic uncertainty caused by covid, say Billy Kelleher. A new report by the IMF is positive about how the economy here and across the EU has faired so far, but warns challenges lie ahead. Irish GDP is predicted to grow fastest this year, but the IMF has cut back its forecasts for Ireland in 2022. The European Union has put together a recovery programme worth €720 billion. Fianna Fáil MEP says the cash injection, combined with careful management for the time ahead should see us through.

Out words: The European economy

Dur: 0’20”

IMF predicts Irish economy Europe’s strongest

Ireland is enjoying the strongest growth in Europe this year, according to data from the International Monetary Fund. In its report, just published, the IMF says an “increasingly resilient recovery is taking hold in Europe”. The Irish economy is forecast to grow by 13 per cent in 2021. Softer growth is predicted for next year. The IMF highlighted Ireland’s tech industry as a key "positive contribution". Reacting to the report, Fianna Fáil MEP, Billy Kelleher says government support has helped steady the economy through the crisis.

Out words: Quite dramatically

Dur: 0’22”

Hybrid culture positive covid aftermath - Walsh

Niche culture has gained worldwide audiences during covid, says Maria Walsh. During lockdown, many artists turned to digital outlets. According to a resolution passed today in the European Parliament, the cultural and creative sector in the EU lost €199 billion in 2020. MEPs are calling for the EU and governments to ensure culture has support to thrive. Midlands North-West MEP, Maria Walsh, says a hybrid of attending venues in person, and reaching out around the world through digital, is the future.

 

Out words: Do so live

Dur: 0’23”

Walsh criticises govt nightclub plan

The government’s reopening plan has been criticised by a Fine Gael MEP. Nightclubs are set to reopen on Friday at full capacity. But cultural venues must observe extra restrictions. Maria Walsh says the differences are unfair. She says other European countries are fully open to late-night culture, and we should be doing the same here in Ireland.  

 

Out words: Quickly catch up here

Dur: 0’23”

Smart farming & technology key to sustainable farming - Clune

New technologies and greater efficiencies will be key to achieving more sustainable and environmentally-friendly farming practices in the future.

So says Ireland South MEP, Deirdre Clune. She was speaking in Strasbourg, where the European Parliament has just approved a set of measures to help meet the objectives of the EU’s planned Farm to Fork Strategy. It’s aiming to reduce the environmental and climate footprint of the EU’s food system.  

The proposals include a significant reduction in pesticides and fertilizers in farming and the allocation of more land for organic farming.

Deirdre Clune says these ambitious goals can be achieved with the help of technology and smart-farming.  

Out words: environmental sense

Dur: 00:28

MEPs call for healthier & more sustainable food practices – Clune

The European Parliament is proposing a raft of plans to revamp the EU’s food systems to produce healthier and more sustainable food. And to ensure a fair income for farmers and reduce agriculture’s environmental footprint.

The majority of MEPs have just approved a set of measures to help meet the objectives of the EU’s planned Farm to Fork Strategy. It aims to reduce the environmental and climate footprint of the EU’s food system.  

The proposals include a significant reduction in pesticides and fertilizers in farming and the allocation of more land for organic farming.

Fine Gael MEP Deirdre Clune says the measures are needed to ensure food is produced sustainably and to increase consumer awareness of how the food they’re eating is produced.

Out words: their choices

Dur: 00:27

NI investment “on hold” - Andrews

Businesses have put Northern Ireland investments “on hold” because of the Protocol uncertainty - that’s according to Barry Andrews. Under the terms of the Brexit deal, Northern Ireland remains both in the UK internal market as well as the Single Market for the entire EU. The EU’s Brexit chief, Maroš Šefčovič, has repeatedly said that this should be a huge economic opportunity for the North. MEP, Barry Andrews, is meeting him in Strasbourg this morning. The Fianna Fáil MEP says he has proposed an EU-UK investment conference to get money flowing into Northern Ireland.

Out words: People in Northern Ireland

Dur: 0’21”

Andrews hopeful Brexit “diplomatic vandalism” resolvable

Fianna Fáil MEP, Barry Andrews, says he is upbeat about the prospects of resolving problems with the Northern Ireland protocol. The EU put forward a new set of ideas last week and technical talks between the UK and EU have started. Under the EU’s plan, many of the checks on goods between Britain and Northern Ireland would be abolished. Barry Andrews says the reaction from businesses in the North has been largely favourable, and he believes it is now time for the UK and EU to develop a partnership rather than a rivalry.

Out words: EU-UK relationship

Dur: 0’22”

Farming can’t be exempt from methane cuts - Cuffe

Methane emissions must be cut across all sectors including farming, Ciarán Cuffe has insisted. According to the Agriculture and Food Development Authority, Teagasc, more than two-thirds of Ireland’s methane emissions come from cattle and sheep. The European Parliament is debating a 'methane strategy' this week in Strasbourg. Green MEP, Ciarán Cuffe, admits that bringing down methane pollution won’t be easy, but he says there are ways farmers can do their bit.

Out words: Will help us

Dur: 0’21”