EuroParlRadio

Fisheries & food sectors set for sizeable chunk of €1bn Brexit fund – Markey

Fisheries and food production sectors in Ireland are set to get a sizeable chunk of 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.

Fine Gael MEP Colm Markey explains who’s likely to benefit most (in Ireland) from the fund.

Out words: main ones

Dur: 00:37

Interview Andrews on Afghanistan crisis & refugees Podcast

The European Parliament this week called for a special visa programme for Afghan women seeking protection from the Taliban regime.

MEPs also urged EU countries to facilitate the evacuation of EU citizens and Afghans at risk in the country. And they called on member states to share responsibility equally in offering protection to vulnerable Afghans.

EuroParlRadio editor Karen Coleman spoke to Fianna Fáil MEP Barry Andrews about Afghanistan and the debate MEPs were having on it. She first asked him what MEPs want the EU to do to help the people of Afghanistan.   

Out words: fair share

Dur: 4:16

Government could ‘do better’ on protecting Afghan refugees – Andrews

The government could do more to help people from Afghanistan who have legitimate reasons to seek asylum in other countries because of the risks they face from the Taliban regime.

That’s according to Fianna Fáil MEP Barry Andrews.

The European Parliament this week called for a special visa programme for Afghan women seeking protection from the Taliban regime. MEPs urged EU countries to facilitate the evacuation of EU citizens and Afghans at risk in the country. And they called on member states to share responsibility equally in offering protection to vulnerable Afghans.

Barry Andrews says Ireland should increase its intake of Afghan refugees to include those outside the family reunification category which is being prioritised by the government.

Out words: do better  

Dur: 00:36

 

Interview with Colm Markey MEP on European Army – Podcast

This week the President of the European Commission talked about the need for the EU to develop greater security and defence capabilities.

Ursula von der Leyen made those comments during her annual State of the EU address to the European Parliament in Strasbourg.

The EU chief also called for a European Defence Union and she said the bloc would convene a summit on European Defence next year when France will hold the presidency of the Council of the EU.

So how did those comments go down with the MEPs in the European Parliament?  Well EuroParlRadio editor Karen Coleman, caught up with Midlands North-West MEP Colm Markey to get his views on Von der Leyen’s comments.

Out words: want that

Dur: 3:23

MEP slams “European army by the back door” idea – Markey

The idea of a European Defence Union should not lead to the establishment of a European army.

That’s the view of Midlands North-West MEP Colm Markey. He was responding to statements made yesterday by the European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen.

During her State of the EU address she talked about European defence and security issues. She said Europe should be able and willing to do more on its own and she said it was time for Europe to step up to the next level.

However, Colm Markey says while the EU should have the capability to carry out humanitarian missions, it should not go down the road of becoming a military superpower.   

Out words: want that

Dur: 00:36

Von der Leyen’s European Defence Union a ‘real concern’ – Markey

The idea of creating a European Defence Union with increased military capacity is a major concern.

So says Fine Gael MEP Colm Markey. The Midlands North-West MEP was reacting to statements made by the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen.

During her State of the EU address yesterday in Strasbourg, she talked about greater security and defence capabilities within the EU. And she called for a European Defence Union – something Colm Markey believes would not be acceptable.

Out words: the solutions

Dur:  00:23

MEPs call for laws to stamp out gender-based violence – Walsh

The European Parliament is calling for new laws that would make gender-based violence in the EU a crime.

The majority of MEPs voted today for measures that would address all forms of violence and discrimination against women and girls and LGBTI plus people.  

They’re demanding that the European Commission list offline and online gender-based violence as a new area of crime in the EU.

Fine Gael’s MEP for the Midlands North-West Maria Walsh, says much more needs to be done to protect women and children and LGBTI people from unacceptable attacks. 

Out words: for that

Dur: 00:19

Gender-based violence should be classified as a crime – European Parliament

Online and offline gender-based violence should be designated a crime in all EU Countries.

That's according to the European Parliament which voted today on a resolution calling for laws that would better protect victims of gender-based violence.

Around fifty women lose their lives to domestic violence every week according to the EU Agency for Fundamental rights. And one third of women in the EU have experienced physical and or sexual violence.  

The Covid pandemic has also led to an increase in attacks on women.

Fine Gael MEP Maria Walsh says that an EU wide law is needed to reduce this level of violence against women.

Out words: to happen

Dur: 00:14

Too soon to pull Irish spending brake - Kelleher

The EU must not apply spending restrictions on Ireland too soon – that’s the view of MEP, Billy Kelleher. When the coronavirus crisis hit, the EU relaxed spending limits designed to keep the Eurozone stable. If the covid crisis is coming to an end, shouldn’t the EU again get strict on excessive borrowing? Fianna Fáil MEP, Billy Kelleher says it is too soon. He argues the Irish government still needs the freedom to aid recovery.

Out words: Turn off the tap  

Dur: 0’24”

Afghans in Ireland need help – O’Sullivan

Afghans seeking to come to Ireland need our help – that’s according to Grace O’Sullivan. The European Parliament has been discussing the crisis in Afghanistan. The European Commission has announced the EU will boost humanitarian aid for Afghanistan by €100 million. Ireland South MEP, Grace O’Sullivan has welcomed the extra funding, but she says closer to home we should be providing more visas, and helping the Afghans in Ireland ensure they can get their families out too.

Out words: Our own country

Dur: 0’21”