EuroParlRadio

Clune keeps pushing to save lives

There should be no complacency in trying harder to cut road deaths – that’s according to MEP, Deirdre Clune. A resolution in the European Parliament calls for a raft of measures to be applied across Europe including lower speed limits, more emphasis on safety and the use of the latest technology to reduce collisions. The EU has a target of zero road deaths by 2050, but can it ever be achieved? Ireland South MEP, Deirdre Clune, insists the EU and governments must do everything they can to get there.

 

Out words:  Get those figures down

Dur: 0’20”

Tech to cut road deaths towards zero - Clune

Every car should be fitted with all available technology to reduce road deaths, says Deirdre Clune. The European Parliament is this week calling for governments and the EU to redouble their efforts towards the target of zero road deaths by 2050. The number of people dying of Europe’s roads has reduced greatly, but there’s concern progress may now have slowed. Fine Gael MEP, Deirdre Clune, says the most expensive cars have lots of sensors and tech which can reduce the number of collisions. She wants to see manufacturers applying the same standards to every vehicle.

 

Out words:  But every car

Dur: 0’24”

Irish clout in EU-US relations - Kelly

Ireland should use its “influence and insight” to guide EU-US relations – that’s according to Sean Kelly. Transatlantic relations came under strain during the Trump presidency, but many in Brussels assumed things would go beter when Joe Biden entered the White House. The hasty withdrawal from Afghanistan, and then the US-Australia Aukus submarine deal, has been a “wake-up call”, according to the EU’s foreign affairs chief, Josef Borrell, speaking in the European Parliament earlier. Fine Gael MEP, Sean Kelly, is there in Strasbourg. He says dialogue between Europe and America is vital, and Ireland can play a vital role in smoothing relations.

Out words:

Dur: 0’21”

Joint EU-UK assembly NI Brexit solutions

Colm Markey says a joint EU-UK Parliamentary Assembly can help resolve Brexit problems. The idea of an assembly was agreed in the Brexit deal, but it hasn’t yet been formed. It will be made up of members from the British and the European Parliament. Fine Gael MEP, Colm Markey, hopes to be one of those to be selected later this month. He says parliamentarians working together would be much more helpful to Northern Ireland than threatening to trigger Article 16.

Out words: A party conference

Dur: 0’23”

Century of European & American ‘supremacy’ over – Daly

The EU doesn’t have to ‘dump billions’ into military budgets and ‘go it alone’ with an EU army nor should it suck up to the US to face off China and Russia.   

That’s what Independent MEP Clare Daly told the European Parliament during a debate this morning on the future of EU-US relations.

MEPs discussed the state of the transatlantic partnership following the recent withdrawal of US and NATO troops from Afghanistan and the controversial security pact (the AUKUS deal) that was brokered between the US, UK and Australia last month.

Both incidents have led to calls for the EU to have more defence and security autonomy. But Clare Daly told MEPs, increased militarisation wasn’t the way to go.  

Out words: further irrelevance

Dur: 00:24

Little solidarity to ‘enflaming’ Brexit fish dispute - Markey

Ireland should not support Brexit retaliation over fisheries – that’s according to Colm Markey. The UK has rejected the majority of applications by French fishermen to fish in British inshore waters. Now France has appealed to EU governments, including Ireland, to take revenge. But Fine Gael MEP, Colm Markey, says we should not get involved.

Out words: Enflame the situation

Dur: 0’21”

US plotting ‘regime change’ & imposing ‘illegal sanctions that kill’ – Daly

The future of EU-US relations was in the spotlight in the European Parliament this morning.

MEPs debated the state of the transatlantic partnership following the recent withdrawal of US and NATO troops from Afghanistan and the controversial security pact (the AUKUS deal) that was brokered between the US, UK and Australia last month.

Both incidents have led to calls for the EU to have more defence and security autonomy.

However, during this morning’s debate, Dublin MEP Clare Daly told the Parliament the century of European and American supremacy is over.

Out words: are nonsense

Dur: 00:40

Adults mentioned in birth certs should be recognised as legal parents – Walsh

MEPs in the European Parliament are calling on all EU countries to accept the adults mentioned in a child’s birth certificate as their legal parents.

Such a move would ensure that same-sex couples would both be recognised as the legal parents of a child if their names are on the birth cert.

The recommendation was included in a resolution voted on last week by the European Parliament. The majority of MEPs are calling for Rainbow families and same sex couples to have the same rights as others across the EU.

Fine Gael MEP Maria Walsh explains what the resolution means.     

Out words: European Union

Dur: 00:23

Traditional family model ‘dead and gone’ – Walsh

Rainbow families and same-sex couples should enjoy the same rights as others in the European Union.  So says Fine Gael MEP Maria Walsh.

Her comments follow a vote in the European Parliament last week when the majority of MEPs called for same sex marriages and partnerships to be recognised across the EU.

MEPs also want the European Commission to take action against Romania, Hungary and Poland for their breaches of EU values when it comes to their treatment of LGBTI people.  

Maria Walsh says the idea of the traditional family model is outdated and that national laws need to reflect those societal changes.  

Out words: of it

Dur: 00:20  

Interview Colm Markey on €5bn Brexit Fund – Podcast

Podcast interview with Colm Markey talking to EuroParlRadio editor Karen Coleman about what sectors in Ireland are likely to benefit the most from a multi-billion euro fund that’s supposed to support businesses and local communities in areas most effected by Brexit.

The European Parliament this week approved the five billion euro (€5bn) Brexit fund to help EU countries deal with the economic and social impact of the UK’s departure from the EU.

Ireland will get the largest share of the money with around a billion euro coming here.

Out words: as well

Dur: 3:12