EuroParlRadio

Eco rules threat to family farm – MacManus

Onerous environmental demands could threaten Irish family farms – that’s the warning from a Midlands North West MEP. The EU is in the middle of reforming the Common Agricultural Policy which sets the rules in exchange for subsidies. At the same time, the EU has set a target of cutting greenhouse gas emissions by 55 per cent by 2030. Sinn Fein MEP, Chris MacManus, says farmers are willing to help tackle climate change, but environmental rules must be manageable.

Out words: Family farming model

Dur: 0’32”

Midlands MEP condemns delays impacting thousands of farmers

A further delay to the reform of the rules for Irish farmers has been condemned by Sinn Fein. The European Parliament was expected to vote on the reform of the Common Agricultural Policy this week in Strasbourg. A deal between MEPs and ministers was agreed in principle last month. But Midlands North-West MEP, Chris MacManus, says the vote will not happen before late Autumn and he is worried it will leave little time for the government and our farmers to prepare.

Out words: The family farm

Dur: 0’24”

Interview with Frances Fitzgerald on online abuse of women in politics

EuroParlRadio editor Karen Coleman talks to Fine Gael MEP and former Justice Minister Frances Fitzgerald about the online abuse of women and how it's putting them off going into politics.

The European Parliament this week debated the scourge of online abuse against women and how it’s impacting their decisions on whether or not to have a political career.  

MEPs in a number of Parliamentary committees are investigating how laws could be introduced to counter such abuse.

Frances Fitzgerald says the situation is getting worse.

Out words: as well

Dur: 04:00

Online harassment of women putting them off political careers – Fitzgerald

The online harassment and abuse of women is putting them off going into politics.  That’s the view of former justice minister and now MEP Frances Fitzgerald.  

The European Parliament this week debated the scourge of online abuse against women and how it’s impacting their decisions on whether or not to have a political career.  

MEPs are investigating how laws could be introduced to counter such abuse. Frances Fitzgerald says the situation is getting worse.

Out words: of behaviour

Dur: 00:31

Irish farmers mustn’t be undercut by cage ban - Markey

Producers in the rest of the world should have to meet the same animal welfare standards as Irish farmers if they want to sell into Europe – that’s the demand from Colm Markey. The European Parliament has backed a petition signed by more than 1.3 million people for a ban on farming with animal cages. The European Commission is now expected to look into how a ban could be achieved. Midlands North-West MEP, Colm Markey, supported the cages ban. But he says it will only work if standards are raised everywhere and Irish farmers are not undercut.

Out words: The European standards  

Dur: 0’20”

Ireland to ‘benefit most’ from €5bn Brexit fund – Andrews

Ireland is set to get twenty percent of a five billion euro (€5bn) pot of money for countries most affected by Brexit.

That’s according to Fianna Fáil MEP Barry Andrews. The European Parliament this week set out its view on how money from the Brexit Adjustment Reserve fund should be allocated.

They want priority to be given to the likes of fishing communities that are dependent on fishing activities within UK waters and sectors that have strong trading links with the UK.  

Barry Andrews says Ireland will benefit the most from the fund. He's hoping it should be available from the middle of this year. 

Out words: by Brexit

Dur: 00:18

Animal cages ban demanded by European Parliament

The European Parliament has called for a ban on caged animal farming. The vote comes in response to a petition signed by more than 1.3 million people. MEPs want the EU to carry out an analysis of the use of cages with the aim of setting phasing out dates species by species.  Midlands North-West MEP, Colm Markey, voted in favour of the cages ban. But he warns it will require farms to be significantly reconfigured and farmers should, in his view, be compensated for the cost.

Out words: Of support there

Dur: 0’22”

EU prepared to be flexible but UK must play ball – Fitzgerald

Solutions can be found to resolve the ongoing dispute between the EU and the UK over the implementation of the Northern Ireland protocol. But flexibility will be required from both sides.

That’s the advice from former justice Minister and now MEP Frances Fitzgerald.

Negotiators from both sides failed to reach an agreement yesterday on post-Brexit trading issues between Britain and Northern Ireland.

US President Joe Biden is expected to warn Boris Johnson today not to let the row impact peace in Northern Ireland.

Frances Fitzgerald says the EU is prepared to be flexible but the UK must also show a willingness to soften its approach.

Out words: at present

Dur: 00:26

‘Real danger’ of Brexit talks ‘unravelling’ - Fitzgerald

Hopes are high that US President Joe Biden’s intervention in the row over the implementation of the Northern Ireland protocol will ease tensions between the EU and the UK.

Talks between both sides ended without resolution yesterday following meetings in London. The EU is insisting the UK implements post-Brexit trading arrangements between Britain and Northern Ireland. It’s threatening to take retaliatory action if London ignores the terms of the Protocol.

Fine Gael MEP Frances Fitzgerald says it’s a very tense time in the negotiations.   

Out words: not helpful

Dur: 00:23

Vaccine-makers profits first - Cuffe

The European Parliament has backed calls for a patent waiver on vaccines. The vote in Strasbourg was expected to be close, but in the end passed 355 in favour, 263 against and 71 abstentions. The resolution calls for a temporary dropping of intellectual property rights on covid vaccines to try and improve access to doses for other parts of the world. Dublin MEP, Ciarán Cuffe, says the reluctance from pharmaceutical companies to agree to patent waivers so far comes down to money.

Out words: Make everyone safe

Dur: 0’34”