EuroParlRadio

EU volunteering programme ‘great opportunity’ – Markey

An upgraded EU volunteering programme should give young people in Ireland invaluable experience working abroad.

That’s according to Colm Markey, Fine Gael MEP for the Midlands North-West.

The European Parliament has given the green light to the new seven-year (2021-2027) European Solidarity Corps programme.

Anyone between 18 and 30 years of age can apply to volunteer for between two and twelve months in any EU country, as well as in Iceland, North Macedonia, Turkey and Liechtenstein.

Here’s Colm Markey.

Out words: with migrants

Dur: 00:18

Erasmus + to be more inclusive, greener and user friendly – Walsh

The EU’s new Erasmus plus programme promises to be more inclusive, greener and user friendly. The European Parliament this week approved the next seven-year edition of the EU’s flagship programme for education, training, youth and sports.

The multi-billion euro (€28bn) initiative provides opportunities for people including students and education staff, to study, train, get work experience and volunteer abroad. The new programme will also be open to adult learners. Fine Gael MEP Maria Walsh explains the benefits of Erasmus plus.

Out words: democratic life

Dur: 00:20

Covid passport essential for businesses – Markey

Delays to the roll-out of a digital Covid certificate will be bad news for everybody.

So says Fine Gael MEP Colm Markey.  

Negotiators from the European Parliament and member states reached a deal yesterday on the so-called Covid passport after intense talks. The EU digital covid certificate would have information on a person’s vaccination state including test results and covid recovery status where applicable. In practice, these will be three distinct certs.

However, yesterday’s deal still has to be approved in a vote in the European Parliament. And it’s still unclear when Ireland will fully open up international travel to the country.

Here’s Colm Markey.

Out words: for that

Dur: 00:30

Covid passport provisional agreement could open Summer travel – Markey

A provisional agreement between representatives from the European Parliament and European Council on a digital Covid certificate could lead the way to Summer travel within the bloc.

Negotiators from the Parliament and member states reached a deal yesterday on the so-called Covid passport after intense talks. The EU digital covid certificate would have information on a person’s vaccination status including test results and covid recovery status where applicable. In practice, these will be three distinct certs.

However, the deal still has to be approved by MEPs in a full plenary session.  Fine Gael MEP Colm Markey is hoping the roll-out of the Covid certificate won’t be delayed until later in the summer.

Out words: that stage

Dur: 00:24

Artists & creatives should benefit from multi-billion EU Creative fund – Walsh

People working in the cultural and creative sectors in Ireland should benefit from a new multi-billion euro fund called Creative Europe. That’s according to Fine Gael MEP Maria Walsh.

The European Parliament this week approved a two and a half billion euro (2.5bn) programme for cultural and creative sectors across the EU.

MEPs say the Creative Europe initiative should help people working in creative industries whose livelihoods were devastated because of the Covid pandemic.

Maria Walsh explains how people might be able to access the funds.

Out words: need support

Dur: 00:35

Interview Fianna Fail MEP Barry Andrews on Cyber Security

EuroParlRadio Editor Karen Coleman talks to Fianna Fáil MEP Barry Andrews about the plans for a new EU cybersecurity competence centre which will be located in Romania.

MEPs approved plans for the new cybersecurity centre in a vote in the European Parliament this week.

Andrews tells Karen the ongoing HSE hacking crisis in Ireland shows how important cybersecurity is and that we need to ‘up our game’ to better protect ourselves against cyber security incidents. 

Out words: public services 

Dur: 2:27 

 

 

Ireland ‘highly vulnerable’ to Cyber security attacks – Andrews

A proposed new EU cyber security centre might help to prevent hacking attacks such as those launched against the HSE.

The European Parliament has just approved plans for a new EU cybersecurity competence centre which will be located in Romania.

The centre will pool cyber security expertise across the EU and it should stimulate innovations in technologies that could prevent massive hacking strikes in the future.  

Fianna Fáil MEP Barry Andrews says we need to ‘up our game’ in Ireland to better protect ourselves against cyber security incidents.

Out words: the EU

Dur: 00:35

Human oversight over AI should be “guaranteed” - Clune

Human oversight and transparency about the use of artificial intelligence, or AI, is essential to ensure people trust technology, says Deidre Clune. Digital tools are being used in an increasing number of areas, from healthcare to agriculture, and from call centres to our home lives. But do we trust tech and how can we be sure AI will treat everybody fairly? These are some of the questions Ireland South MEP, Deirdre Clune, has been exploring in her report to the European Parliament. She says it is essential to put safeguards in place.

Out words: The whole area

Dur: 0’24”

MEPs back new EU Cybersecurity centre – Andrews

The European Parliament has approved plans for a new EU cybersecurity competence centre which will be located in Romania.

The centre will pool expertise in cybersecurity and it aims to stimulate innovations in European cybersecurity technology.

Fianna Fail MEP Barry Andrews says the ongoing HSE hacking crisis shows how important cybersecurity is.   

Out words: step forward

Dur: 00:24

Need for ‘start-up culture’ to rival US - Clune

Europe needs to nurture digital start-ups to rival China and the US – that’s according to Deirdre Clune. The Fine Gael MEP has authored a report in the European Parliament which will be put to the vote today. It sets out a vision of our digital future, which she believes will shape our businesses and our lives. Speaking in Brussels, Deirdre Clune, says fostering innovation will drive digital transformation leading to new jobs and opportunities.

Out words: Europe as well

Dur: 0’20”