EuroParlRadio

Europe builds pandemic defences

Working together benefits small countries like Ireland from pandemic dangers, says Deidre Clune. MEPs have been voting to extend the powers of the European Centre of Disease Control to better monitor and warn about potential future health crises. Ireland South MEP, Deidre Clune, says we can’t be sure there will never be another pandemic, but she believes Ireland and Europe will be better prepared to cope.

Out words: Structures on place
Dur: 0’23”

Covid: “We could have been better prepared” - Clune

Europe wouldn’t have been so badly affected by covid if we’d been watching properly – that’s according to Deidre Clune. The European Parliament is this week voting to beef up the EU’s health agencies. The European Centre for Disease Control will get more money and responsibility to monitor global health threats. Fine Gael MEP, Deirdre Clune, says she is confident that Europe “pulling together” can deal with pandemics.  

Out words: Been better prepared  

Dur: 0’21”

Brexit Britain ‘aggressive and confrontational’ - Kelleher

The British government should dial down “outrageous rhetoric” over the Northern Ireland protocol and negotiate – that’s the view of Billy Kelleher. Earlier this week the UK’s Brexit minister, Lord Frost, threatened to trigger Article 16 if the EU doesn’t take the latest British proposals seriously. Fianna Fáil MEP, Billy Kelleher, says the Brexit deal presents huge opportunities for Northern Ireland with access to both UK and EU markets. And he says the current problems are technicalities which can be sorted out.

Out words: Was goodwill

Dur: 0’19”

MEPs voting on €5 billion Brexit fund

The European Parliament is expected to give the final go-ahead to a €5 billion Brexit fund. The money is designed to offset some of the economic pain caused by the UK leaving the EU. Ireland will get the largest share of the money. Speaking from Strasbourg ahead of today's vote, Fianna Fáil MEP, Billy Kelleher, said work was underway to make sure the cash goes to the sectors which need it most.

Out words: Because of Brexit

Dur: 0’20”

Smarter cars & cleaner energy & airplanes on the way – Von der Leyen

We will have smarter cars and cleaner energy and airplanes in the future and a price will be put on pollution.

That was the vow from the president of the European Commission during her State of the EU address to the European Parliament this morning.  

Ursula von der Leyen referred to the recent climate disasters in Europe during the summer.

She told MEPs, climate change is man-made but that it can be fixed. 

Out words: suffer from

Dur: 1:27

Europeans to “pay the price” without climate action

We will pay the price if we don’t take urgent climate action – that’s the stark message from one of our Green MEPs. The European Commission has been setting out plans for the year ahead including more laws as part of the so-called European Green Deal. But Ireland South MEP, Grace O’Sullivan is worried that it lacks substance. Europe suffered from serious floods and fires this summer and a recent report by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change warned of a "code red for humanity". Grace O'Sullivan says there are clear warnings of the need to act now.

Out words: Coasts across Europe

Dur: 0’23”

EU lacking green detail - O‘Sullivan

The EU is light on detail as to how it is going to achieve its promised ‘Green Deal’ – that’s according to Grace O’Sullivan. The European Commission President, Ursula von der Leyen, this morning set out her vision for Europe in her annual State of the Union address to MEPs in Strasbourg. Ireland South MEP, Grace O’Sullivan was listening carefully hoping for more support for the environment, but says she was disappointed

 

Out words: The climate catastrophe  

Dur: 0’21”

Europe ‘just did it’ - Von der Leyen on Covid certs

The President of the European Commission this morning praised EU countries for the way they rolled out the Covid digital certificates in record time.

Ursula von der Leyen made the comments during her annual State of the European Union address to the European Parliament this morning.

She told MEPs the efforts made to produce the Covid certs, showed that when Europe acts together it can act fast.

Out words: did it

Dur: 00:24

Lobbyists will water down EU’s climate change plans – Cuffe

The European Commission’s ambitious plans to achieve climate neutrality by 2050 are likely to be watered down by centre and right-wing political parties and lobbyists from industry and other affected sectors.

That’s according to Dublin MEP Ciarán Cuffe. He was speaking in the European Parliament which today debated the proposed EU 2030 climate package which is called Fit for 55.

That’s a reference to the EU’s target of achieving a fifty five percent reduction in Greenhouse gas emissions by 2030 compared to 1990 levels.

Ciarán Cuffe says those proposals will inevitably face strong opposition.

Out words: move fast

Dur: 00:20

Losers of EU Climate change laws will need to be compensated - Cuffe

Ambitious EU plans to reduce greenhouse gas emissions over the next couple of decades are likely to bring significant changes to our lives.

The European Parliament today debated European Commission proposals to achieve climate neutrality by 2050.

The EU’s new climate package includes a raft of proposals that will effect many sectors in society.

Green MEP Ciarán Cuffe says these new laws are needed to tackle the devastating results of climate change. But he says, some people will inevitably be negatively impacted by them.

Out words: lose out  

Dur: 00:30