EuroParlRadio

MEPs call for biodiversity law

The European Parliament has called for a Biodiversity law to better protect the land and sea around us. MEPs want to see at least a third of Europe's land and sea protected and initiatives to counter nature’s decline, both in the countryside and in cities. For Green MEP, Grace O'Sullivan, it is a big win. She says Europe should set firm commitments starting with the ground beneath our feet.

Out words: Ecological function  

Dur: 0’18”

Cyberattacks: No country alone can defend itself - Kelleher

The European Parliament has called for Europe-wide defences to protect public services against cyber attacks. The issue was put on the agenda by Ireland South MEP, Billy Kelleher, following the recent attack against the Irish health service. The number of serious attacks in Europe doubled last year, according to the EU’s cybersecurity agency.  In a resolution in the European Parliament, MEPs call for devices to be designed to be more resilient and for a co-ordinated approach to respond to attacks. Billy Kelleher says the threats need to be taken extremely seriously.

Out words: Can defend itself

Dur: 0’23”

EU needs to tackle ‘hybrid warfare’ – Clune

A coordinated approach will be needed across the EU to tackle the threat of cyber crime that’s causing major disruptions in some EU countries.

That was a key message from the European Parliament in Strasbourg today (Wednesday) during a debate on Cyber security.

MEPs are calling for greater collaboration in the fight against cyber threats across the EU.

Ireland South MEP Deirdre Clune says cooperation will be essential to bring down cyber crime networks.

Out words: indeed others

Dur: 00: 20

More coordination & resilience needed to fight Cyber attacks – Clune

MEPs in the European Parliament are calling for greater collaboration in the fight against cyber threats across the EU.

Their calls today follow recent hacking attacks in several EU countries including Ireland, Finland, France and Belgium. Some MEPs are proposing a European cyber security policy to tackle cyber terrorism.  

Fine Gael MEP Deirdre Clune says sharing of information and better cooperation among EU countries will be needed to fight the increasingly sophisticated cyber-crime networks.  

Out words: European Union

Dur: 00: 30

Farmers need certainty about new CAP - Markey

Farmers need to know what changes they are going to be facing under EU rules, Colm Markey has warned. So far negotiators from the European Parliament, and from EU governments have failed to reach an agreement about the terms of the new Common Agriculture Policy. In the meanwhile the EU continues to pay out the old subsidies to Irish farmers, but Fine Gael MEP, Colm Markey, says they need to know what’s coming so that they can plan their businesses and livelihoods.

Out words: Going forward

Dur: 0’21”

Greens demand toxic nature ban

The EU should not allow toxic chemicals to be used on land or in water – that’s the message from Grace O’Sullivan. The EU closely monitors the use of pesticides and other substances before they are allowed on the market, but sometimes gives the go-ahead, or provides exemptions, where there are no alternatives. Grace O’Sullivan is currently in a battle to ban the use of neonicotinoids on fish farms. They are already banned from farming after research proved a link with bee deaths. Green MEP, Grace O'Sullivan, says substances that damage nature should simply not be allowed.

Out words: From the environment

Dur: 0'20"

Salmon farms want bee-killing chemical - O'Sullivan

Fish farms are trying to get permission to use a chemical known to kill wildlife – that’s the warning from one of our Green MEPs. The EU banned the use of neonicotinoids in farming after the European Food Safety Agency proved it was responsible for killing bees and other insects. Now fishermen want to use the same type of chemicals on salmon. Green MEP, Grace O'Sullivan, has put down an amendment urging the EU to broaden the ban to cover fish. The environment committee has already supported her amendment, the full European Parliament will vote on it tonight.  Grace O'Sullivan says the chemicals should only be allowed if science can prove they are safe.

Out words: Or freshwater

Dur: 0'24"

EU-UK must resolve differences - Kelleher

The UK and the EU should work to resolve differences over Brexit, that’s according to Billy Kelleher. Brexit Minister, Lord Frost, and European Commission Vice President, Maroš Šefčovič have been meeting in London this morning. It comes as a news website claims diplomats are working on an alternative plan to place restrictions on goods from the whole of Ireland to the rest of Europe. The news report has been rubbished by EU sources. Fianna Fáil MEP, Billy Kelleher, says issues surrounding the Northern Ireland protocol – including the possibility of extending grace periods – should be discussed and resolved jointly.

Out words: Still outstanding

Dur: 0'20"

EU sacrificing Ireland reports “disturbing” - Kelleher

The idea that Ireland could lose Single Market access to solve Brexit problems is “disturbing”, says Billy Kelleher. A report by news website, Politico, claims that diplomats have been discussing restrictions on Irish goods sold in the rest of Europe as a way of solving issues with the Northern Ireland Protocol. EU sources have rubbished the report, but it has set alarm bells ringing in Brussels and Dublin. Fianna Fáil MEP, Billy Kelleher, says solidarity is supposed to be at the heart of the European Union.

Out words: Among member states

Dur: 0'23"

Covid travel cert will be recognised by Irish authorities from July 1 – Andrews

Irish authorities will recognise EU wide Covid travel certs from July the first. That’s according to Fianna Fáil MEP Barry Andrews.

The European Parliament has just approved the EU Digital Covid certificate which will contain information on a person’s vaccination status along with negative Covid test results and recovery status from the virus where applicable.

The cert will be in operation from the beginning of July and should help people to travel more easily within the EU. However people in Ireland won’t be able to get those certs until later in July.

Here’s Barry Andrews.

Out words: the month

Dur: 00:14